Grieving the death of Osama bin Laden

I saw this quote on The Christian Homekeeper Network blog and I can't help but borrow from there.

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. "

—Jessica Dovey


Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that"

— Martin Luther King Jr.

The reason I posted this is because of all the celebration, rejoicing and delight people are taking in the death of Osama Bin Laden. I was even saying this to my husband last night. I do not understand it. Yes, I understand the hurt and pain and terror that man caused so many people. The deaths and grief that came at his hands. But taking joy in his death? I can't do it. I would rather have seen him captured and brought to justice for his crimes. Not that I am the judge, but as far as I know, Osama Bin Laden is going to hell. I would not wish an eternal existence separated from God on ANYONE. Even my worst enemy.

Here is a quote from the article "Is hell literally a place of fire and brimstone?" by GotQuestions.org.

"In addition to fire, the New Testament describes hell as a bottomless pit (abyss) (Revelation 20:3), a lake (Revelation 20:14), darkness (Matthew 25:30), death (Revelation 2:11), destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:9), everlasting torment (Revelation 20:10), a place of wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30), and a place of gradated punishment (Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 12:47-48; Revelation 20:12-13). The very variety of hell’s descriptors argues against applying a literal interpretation of any particular one. For instance, hell’s literal fire could emit no light, since hell would be literally dark. Its fire could not consume its literal fuel (persons!) since their torment is non-ending. Additionally, the gradation of punishments within hell also confounds literalness. Does hell’s fire burn Hitler more fiercely than an honest pagan? Does he fall more rapidly in the abyss than another? Is it darker for Hitler? Does he wail and gnash more loudly or more continually than the other? The variety and symbolic nature of descriptors do not lessen hell, however—just the opposite, in fact. Their combined effect describes a hell that is worse than death, darker than darkness, and deeper than any abyss. Hell is a place with more wailing and gnashing of teeth than any single descriptor could ever portray. Its symbolic descriptors bring us to a place beyond the limits of our language—to a place far worse than we could ever imagine."

Osama bin Laden is going to that place that is far worse than we could ever imagine. Don't get me wrong. I hate what he did. I still cry whenever I see pictures of the twin towers on fire. I still remember watching them fall and grieving for the lost souls there. I really want to stress that I do believe that what the US Military did was appropriate. He did get what he deserved. But I wouldn't wish hell on anyone, not even Osama bin Laden. And guess what? The deadline is death. I'm not taking even the slightest inkling of joy in that.

Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 5:43-48?

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Some scriptures from the old testament along those same lines:

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles"
~Proverbs 24:17

"'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live..."
~Ezekiel 33:11

I really hope that my fellow Christians are with me on this. Remember that "he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). He didn't say "everyone except for Osama bin Laden." When he said "everyone", he really meant everyone. That's not an option anymore for Osama bin Laden. And THAT is something to grieve over, not rejoice in.