Scott Hyland
How should our nation view the death of Osama bin Laden?
By Scott Hyland
Last Sunday, it was announced that Osama bin Laden — the mastermind behind one of the greatest attacks on American soil, was killed by an elite force of U.S. Navy Seals. During the television broadcast, images of 9/11 splashed across screens all over the nation, reminding us once again of the horrible carnage for which this coward was responsible.
Most Americans, upon hearing the news of the death of this despicable character, erupted with celebration over the fact that justice had been served. Some people, however, viewed this celebration as dishonorable conduct among citizens within a "Christian" nation. People on both sides of the debate began firing off Bible verses in a crusade-like frenzy that exploded into heated arguments leaving a vast division over the proper response of the death of an enemy.
In many nations where the actions of Osama bin Laden were praised, this topic would not even be open for discussion, but for some reason, America is consistently held to a higher standard. We are expected to have discussions about God's love, "turning the other cheek," and "loving one's enemies"; after all, according to the Bible, God loves all people, right?
To be certain, many passages in scripture emphasize God's love for individuals, as well as the entire world. However, just as many passages emphasize God's justice, His anger over sin, His wrath toward evildoers, as well as His fury and His rage against those who exploit and extinguish the lives of innocent people.
Nations have just as much responsibility to God as do individuals. The only difference within our government is that we have been influenced by individuals who actually believe in the sanctity of human life. However, we must be cautious not to subject our nation's defensive role to the same limitations as those placed upon individuals. Otherwise, we run the risk of confusing God's love for the individual with how He expects government to act corporately to protect its own citizens, and we end up behaving more passively toward enemies than we do to our own people.
Therefore, this is not a question of does God love the human soul, but rather how does a government properly fulfill its God-given role? This certainly is not the first time in American history that we had to confront a sadistic and demented individual with the use of deadly force. In fact, just twenty-five years ago, President Reagan decided to deal first hand with the "monstrous brutality" of Mu'ammar Qadhafi's subversive activities. Below are his closing remarks on April 14, 1986 in his Address to the Nation on the United States' Air Strike Against Libya:
Unfortunately, much has changed since the birth of our nation. Indeed, much change has occurred even since President Reagan occupied the Oval Office. The most significant change has to do with the fact that we have become so biblically illiterate that we think that opinions can be based upon scant information hastily posted through every available electronic means. Our approach is duel-like, in that we believe that firing one bullet or — in this case, one verse — ends the entire debate. The folly in such behavior fails to take into consideration whether or not the weapon, or in this case, the Word of God, has been accurately handled.
Just as a smoking gun does not always signify the striking of a target, so also a person does not defeat all arguments opposed to his position simply by brandishing a Bible. In fact, all that it may indicate is that a bullet has been released from the chamber causing most people to duck away from the ricocheting effect of the irresponsible and misguided use of a very powerful weapon.
The misuse of power by individuals or nations should never be tolerated. Therefore, the celebration of bin Laden's death may have been in direct proportion to the fear in which this one man polluted the minds of so many millions by his consistent misuse of power, and the fact that our military displayed, before the entire world, the proper use of power by eliminating the cause of the terror. Since our country has strict policies of not negotiating with cruel and twisted organizations and individuals like bin Laden, we decided to send a clear message through our special forces that no matter what, no matter who, no matter where, we will find you if you molest our citizens.
That happens to be the biblical role of government. Beyond all of the recent meddling in socialized healthcare, the funding of abortion, the refusal to defend marriage, the bail-out of corporations, etc. — the government exercised its primary God-given role, which is to protect us from invaders from without and criminals from within. We have a government that was established to protect God-given rights. Anyone who decides to threaten our inalienable rights — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — shall be quickly brought to justice with the same manly firmness with which Osama bin Laden was dealt. Definitely, that is something we can all celebrate.
© Scott Hyland
May 7, 2011
Last Sunday, it was announced that Osama bin Laden — the mastermind behind one of the greatest attacks on American soil, was killed by an elite force of U.S. Navy Seals. During the television broadcast, images of 9/11 splashed across screens all over the nation, reminding us once again of the horrible carnage for which this coward was responsible.
Most Americans, upon hearing the news of the death of this despicable character, erupted with celebration over the fact that justice had been served. Some people, however, viewed this celebration as dishonorable conduct among citizens within a "Christian" nation. People on both sides of the debate began firing off Bible verses in a crusade-like frenzy that exploded into heated arguments leaving a vast division over the proper response of the death of an enemy.
In many nations where the actions of Osama bin Laden were praised, this topic would not even be open for discussion, but for some reason, America is consistently held to a higher standard. We are expected to have discussions about God's love, "turning the other cheek," and "loving one's enemies"; after all, according to the Bible, God loves all people, right?
To be certain, many passages in scripture emphasize God's love for individuals, as well as the entire world. However, just as many passages emphasize God's justice, His anger over sin, His wrath toward evildoers, as well as His fury and His rage against those who exploit and extinguish the lives of innocent people.
Nations have just as much responsibility to God as do individuals. The only difference within our government is that we have been influenced by individuals who actually believe in the sanctity of human life. However, we must be cautious not to subject our nation's defensive role to the same limitations as those placed upon individuals. Otherwise, we run the risk of confusing God's love for the individual with how He expects government to act corporately to protect its own citizens, and we end up behaving more passively toward enemies than we do to our own people.
Therefore, this is not a question of does God love the human soul, but rather how does a government properly fulfill its God-given role? This certainly is not the first time in American history that we had to confront a sadistic and demented individual with the use of deadly force. In fact, just twenty-five years ago, President Reagan decided to deal first hand with the "monstrous brutality" of Mu'ammar Qadhafi's subversive activities. Below are his closing remarks on April 14, 1986 in his Address to the Nation on the United States' Air Strike Against Libya:
-
We Americans are slow to anger. We always seek peaceful avenues before resorting to the use of force — and we did. We tried quiet diplomacy, public condemnation, economic sanctions, and demonstrations of military force. None succeeded. Despite our repeated warnings, Qadhafi continued his reckless policy of intimidation, his relentless pursuit of terror. He counted on America to be passive. He counted wrong. I warned that there should be no place on Earth where terrorists can rest and train and practice their deadly skills. I meant it. I said that we would act with others, if possible, and alone if necessary to ensure that terrorists have no sanctuary anywhere. Tonight, we have.
Unfortunately, much has changed since the birth of our nation. Indeed, much change has occurred even since President Reagan occupied the Oval Office. The most significant change has to do with the fact that we have become so biblically illiterate that we think that opinions can be based upon scant information hastily posted through every available electronic means. Our approach is duel-like, in that we believe that firing one bullet or — in this case, one verse — ends the entire debate. The folly in such behavior fails to take into consideration whether or not the weapon, or in this case, the Word of God, has been accurately handled.
Just as a smoking gun does not always signify the striking of a target, so also a person does not defeat all arguments opposed to his position simply by brandishing a Bible. In fact, all that it may indicate is that a bullet has been released from the chamber causing most people to duck away from the ricocheting effect of the irresponsible and misguided use of a very powerful weapon.
The misuse of power by individuals or nations should never be tolerated. Therefore, the celebration of bin Laden's death may have been in direct proportion to the fear in which this one man polluted the minds of so many millions by his consistent misuse of power, and the fact that our military displayed, before the entire world, the proper use of power by eliminating the cause of the terror. Since our country has strict policies of not negotiating with cruel and twisted organizations and individuals like bin Laden, we decided to send a clear message through our special forces that no matter what, no matter who, no matter where, we will find you if you molest our citizens.
That happens to be the biblical role of government. Beyond all of the recent meddling in socialized healthcare, the funding of abortion, the refusal to defend marriage, the bail-out of corporations, etc. — the government exercised its primary God-given role, which is to protect us from invaders from without and criminals from within. We have a government that was established to protect God-given rights. Anyone who decides to threaten our inalienable rights — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — shall be quickly brought to justice with the same manly firmness with which Osama bin Laden was dealt. Definitely, that is something we can all celebrate.
© Scott Hyland
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