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One Love
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 13888
| Posted 6/8/2006 6:16 PM (GMT -6) |   | Hmmm...
www.slate.com/id/2143306/?GT1=8295
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13203235/site/newsweek/?GT1=8211
"Despite these concerns, we should celebrate the death of a truly evil man. But as we do, we must remember that the problems the United States faces in Iraq go well beyond one person."
Simple question...
Should American Christians "celebrate" the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. If so, why? If not, why not?
How should we feel about the death of a terrorist who has instrumentally caused death and pain to many...a terrorist for whom Christ died?
Should his murderous atrocities and vehement hatred emotionally blind us to the human tragedy that is his demise by such violent means?
Hmmmm...
Genuinely wondering,
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BBBCanada
Registered Member
Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 2763
| Posted 6/8/2006 9:34 PM (GMT -6) | | God loves Satan. Does that answer your question? So God loves this terrorist. It probably saddens God to no end that this man went to these depths, but I suppose you could say that if this eats away at terrorism (dismantling the network, which is to say that I don't know if I agree with the Slate article), then we can celebrate THAT. We can celebrate that evil will not be proprogated as a result of the ripple effects that this individual could have potentially caused.
However, if it sadden's God's heart that one of his sheep fall away and we are to restore them patiently and in love, then I cannot see how anyone would "celebrate" this death.
Does Abu Musab al-Zarqawi "deserve" what he got? If I say yes, would I be "celebrating" his death? I would say that he reaped what he sowed and in that sense he got what he deserved.
Brandon
It is the purpose that makes strong the vow, but vows to every purpose must not hold.--A friend.
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Corey
Five with a Four-wing
Date Joined Feb 2003
Total Posts : 1893
| Posted 6/9/2006 9:03 AM (GMT -6) | | |
I find the subtitle quote in the Newsweek article quite offensive as a Christian: ‘May He Rot in Hell’.
I view his death as the lesser of two evils. This man was a hardened killer. How many has he killed? How many more would he continue to kill? How many others took inspiration from his example? I don't celebrate his death, I celebrate that the world seems to be a better place as a result of his death. The fact that he is infinitely loved by God doesn't change that his death is appropriate.
I honestly view his death as necessary (and literal) step in dying to self and eventually becoming alive to and through Christ. Ironically, it may be in his own best interest; death's not the worst thing that could happen to him. How's that for controversial? Reminds me of discussions we had earlier about killing people in the Matrix. Post Edited (Corey) : 6/9/2006 3:05:07 PM (GMT-5) | | Back to Top | | |
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PotOnWheel
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 9890
| Posted 6/10/2006 9:10 AM (GMT -6) | | After reading through this thread today, later a prayer came to mind (Basil Liturgy) that bases itself on the resurrection:
An article to read is this one from the Orthodox Peace Fellowship:
Here's part of the prayer:
"Let us call brothers even those who hate us and forgive all by the Resurrection."
(o)Post Edited (PotOnWheel) : 6/10/2006 9:15:29 AM (GMT-5) | | Back to Top | | |
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PotOnWheel
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 9890
| Posted 6/10/2006 9:47 AM (GMT -6) | | I'm reminded of the kinds of discussions we had as college kids -- wanting to wrap all things up and finalize our decision in packages so nice and neat.
Sin's not nice and neat. All of us are in the same need of salvation. (Remember Charles Colson's comment at dinner to a self-assured woman that she had more in common with Adolf Hitler than with Jesus Christ.) What a mess.
After putting the computer side, and going on with the day, a prayer from the Liturgy of St. Basil came to mind. Orthodox use it only two or three times a year, in place of the Chrysostom liturgy
Here's that prayer again: "Let us call brothers even those who hate us and forgive all by the Resurrection."
Think about THAT. Rather than a matter of fairness, or of presumed pious standing -- the former would allow one to take revenge by asserting rights while the later becomes a relative thing, the sort that Colson identified. What we should NOTICE and think about is that Basil's prayer does not so much, ihmo, point to fairness or standing upon which to judge. Rather, it points to the fact that the JUDGE has done something -- the Resurrection -- that changes everything.
If we are stuck in our state of bondage to sin and death, then all we can do is pretend we are "good enough." But if we recognize and identify the resurrection to ALREADY HAVE accomplished something both in us now and for us in the future, and IF we take action living upon that reality and experience, THEN we do not look backwards at either our hurt or our least-worst accomplishments. But considering ourselves to be already dead, and risen with Christ, as NEW creatures, we see ALL differently.
How easier it is to look at the world this way in our youth. Dependence then is so natural. But when one SEEMS to have more to hold onto -- which can be demanded from us any night -- it SEEMS harder.
The Resurrection is the thing. "It is accompished."
If the theif on the cross harmed us, then we have a choice, that we cannot avoid making. We also have an offer that we had better not refuse. And we had better make peace with this every night.
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Sahid
Megistered Rember
Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 2013
| Posted 6/10/2006 3:25 PM (GMT -6) | | You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons 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 brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Watch me fly. Freedom like wings and I will use them. Freedom like wings and I will spread them wide. - Stavesacre | | Back to Top | | |
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Pentz
Registered Member
Date Joined Mar 2006
Total Posts : 59
| Posted 6/11/2006 10:43 PM (GMT -6) | | | I have thought about this this last wk. I have sorrow for his soul, since he will separated from God forever, but I remember this vs, "those who live by the sword, will die by the sword." But as a follower of Christ I can never delight in the death of another. May God have mercy on his soul. | | Back to Top | | |
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 6/12/2006 4:07 PM (GMT -6) | | |
Everything Has Its Time - Ecclesiastes 3
1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Love is like a ball in a game of catch: throw it and it will come back to you; hold onto it and that ends the game. | | Back to Top | | |
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