Reactions to the Reactions on OBL
“I have never felt more patriotic in my life.” –some random woman interviewed overnight.
Nearly ten years ago, after the attacks occurred in New York City and at the Pentagon, crowds were filmed celebrating across Palestine and other parts of the Middle East. Those rejoicing masses did not mean that everyone in the region was happy 3,000+ people had died. It did not mean that all Muslims were happy about that act of war. It may not have even meant that everyone jumping on those streets that day was really thinking about what they were doing. Regardless of that fact, the proud American in me thought at the time that we as a country would behave differently. We would be more mature—more composed.
There is a well documented and observed effect that a mass of people can have over the individuals that are in it—the herd mentality. People can become mesmerized in the moment and do things that they will later not believe, like call for a person on the ledge of a high building to jump. This is all a part of what has always made me avoid the herd in every way I can. I prefer to reason and reflect before I act.
In this instance I am not dancing in the street, waving a flag. It is a good thing that a hateful man who caused the deaths of thousands of people and used religion to motivate hatred across the globe is no longer able to do any of that. However, the fact that the United States government had to kill him to stop him is no cause for celebration. The cycle of violence continues. When just force is used to stop evildoers it should be seen as at best a necessary evil, not something over which to host a party. Certainly not the proudest moment in American history!
Nearly ten years ago, after the attacks occurred in New York City and at the Pentagon, crowds were filmed celebrating across Palestine and other parts of the Middle East. Those rejoicing masses did not mean that everyone in the region was happy 3,000+ people had died. It did not mean that all Muslims were happy about that act of war. It may not have even meant that everyone jumping on those streets that day was really thinking about what they were doing. Regardless of that fact, the proud American in me thought at the time that we as a country would behave differently. We would be more mature—more composed.
There is a well documented and observed effect that a mass of people can have over the individuals that are in it—the herd mentality. People can become mesmerized in the moment and do things that they will later not believe, like call for a person on the ledge of a high building to jump. This is all a part of what has always made me avoid the herd in every way I can. I prefer to reason and reflect before I act.
In this instance I am not dancing in the street, waving a flag. It is a good thing that a hateful man who caused the deaths of thousands of people and used religion to motivate hatred across the globe is no longer able to do any of that. However, the fact that the United States government had to kill him to stop him is no cause for celebration. The cycle of violence continues. When just force is used to stop evildoers it should be seen as at best a necessary evil, not something over which to host a party. Certainly not the proudest moment in American history!
I tend to agree. I know I don't have any control over it at all, but I am grieving for the lives lost that are quite possibly experiencing the wrath of God right now. Call me what you may, but I'm not just an American. I hope people can see past the evil that was done and realize people are in need of deliverance from that wrath.
ReplyDeletePerhaps just 10 years ago, I would be among those cheering. If it weren't for the saving grace of Jesus Christ, we wouldn't have the letters of Paul-- an ex-Christian murderer.
Good thoughts, Jen. I wouldn't say in any way that I am sad about OBL. In fact, I am glad that he is gone. My reaction was more against the way so many people celebrated. It just struck me as crass. We are better than that.
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