Because of some stuff that happened last night- stuff that unless you live under a rock, you heard about- I feel that I should share some of my thoughts... which aren't a few. If you want a peak into what I'm thinking, feel free to do so. If the whole topic bothers you, skip the next couple posts. I don’t mind.
Generally, I don't like talking about politics, but in this case, it's highly political... and highly emotional.
A man, a terrorist, died about a week ago, brought down by US military operatives. We (the US) swore vengeance on him for his role in the tragedy of September 11, 2001. On that day, almost 3 thousand people died because religious extremists felt that the United States as a nation deserved ... *shrug. I don't know what they think we deserve. As infidels, we shouldn't be contaminating the face of the earth. It's a mindset I don't understand, but I guess that's the point.
Yes, Osama Bin Laden is dead. Yay and Hoo-rah!.....
But are we trading the devil we knew for a devil we don't? Nature abhors a vacuum, and there will not be a leadership vacuum at the top of al-Qaeda for long. These people are filled with hurt and hate that has been fostered and nurtured even encouraged for thousands upon thousands of years. The death of one man isn't going to change much. At best (and a long shot at that), a more rational man will come to the leadership position, and bring a little bit of reason to the whole terrorist thing. At worst, I see a hydra rising. Cut one head off, and see 5 more rise to take his place.
The troubling part for me is that I know he was so ill-prepared to meet his maker. Death for a sinner is the worst punishment- they are sent to meet their Maker, with a bright recollection of all their guilt. (Alma 11:43) His own conscience will condemn him. He must have thought that he was well prepared to meet Allah, having dedicated his life to irradiating infidels from the face of the earth. But I'm almost inclined to cry knowing that Father's heart was breaking.
You see, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God, even the soul of a murderer. (D&C 18:10). As evil and horrible as this man was, he was still a child of God- dear and precious and loved.
No, I don't think his death is something to rejoice. The only happiness I find is in the thought that it is better that one man perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief. (1 Nephi 4:13) Because of his death, there is a sliver of hope for other members of al-Qaeda.
The Middle East hasn't known peace for a very VERY VERY long time.... Since Jacob and Esau? Or should we go back a generation to Isaac and Ishmael? Is there a way to extract ourselves from this millennia-long family feud?
