Osama bin Laden???

     Osama bin Laden.
     What do we know of the man named Osama bin Laden?  What do we know of the human being named, "Osama bin Laden?"
     Can you tell me, who were bin Laden's parents?  How old was Osama bin Laden?  How many years older or younger than you was Osama bin Laden?  Did Osama bin Laden have siblings? If so, how many?
     Osama bin Laden was born in 1957--three years before I was born.  Bin Laden was the seventh son of 50 sons, and daughters born to a Syrian mother, and a father from Saudi Arabia.  His father was a strict disciplinarian.  He died when Osama was only 13 years old?
     Did you know that Osama bin Laden graduated from college in 1981 with a degree in public administration?
     These questions simply scratch the surface of understanding the man named Osama bin Laden, who lived for 57 years.  I offer these questions for your reflection.
     Bin Laden's early life did not justify the actions he took during his life.  That is true of each of us.  Our early life may not be a justification for our adult lives.  Yet, our early life does inform our adult actions.
     How do we view individuals, who are labeled as "terrorists."  Do we go beyond scary pictures, frightening recordings, and haunting threats?  Are we held captive not by terrorists, but, by our own fears, and broad generalities regarding a group of individuals who act in the same way?
     My intent is not to place judgment, or minimize the effects of Osama bin Laden's actions.  My intent is straightforward.  Do we view terrorists as individuals?  How would our relationship to the threats made be if we viewed terrorists as human beings, not as evil enemies?  Is it possible to render peace, if we have labeled people as "terrorists," before we know them to be human beings?
    We have much to reflect upon.  Satisfaction, and jubilation are not within the feelings in my heart tonight.
    How may we be instruments of peace?

bin Laden....Enemies...Evil...Peace...

     Last night, President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden was killed.  I sat transfixed, remembering, as many others where I was when the twin towers of the World Trade Center were attacked.  Transfixed as I was, discomfort set in as the killing of Osama bin Laden--a human being--was celebrated with jubilation.  Complexity of my convictions set in--a Christian, a supporter of pro-choice, a pacifist, and an ardent supporter of "respect for life" in a broad sense.  See A Geography of Respect for Life  to discover how I understand "respect for life."
     In our daily lives, our elders advise us not to engage in acts of retaliation.  Clearly, the stakes involved in the advice we are given does not approximate the extremity of bin Laden's actions.  Yet, common to both situations is retaliation.  Is retaliation--an eye-for-an-eye, a tooth-for-a-tooth--a mentality constructive to addressing extreme crimes, and grave injustices?  Common to both situations, everyone involved is a human being.
     Do I celebrate that the underlying basis for our entry into Afghanistan is gone now?  Yes.  Do I believe that extinguishing Osama bin Laden helps our society to live with greater civility?  No.  Do I believe civility is essential for a fulfilling society?  Yes.  Extinguishing Osama bin Laden's life presents an opportunity to affirm a peace-filled alternative to future needs presented by Osama bin Laden's life, values, and actions.
     How may we be instruments of peace?

Threshold of Life

     Just now, I read that Moamer Gadhafi's son, and several of his grandsons have been killed.  The United Nations is pulling out its staff from Libya due to the violence there.
     The Catholic Bishop of Tripoli, Giovanni Martinelli was quoted as appealing "to NATO, the United Nations and the international community to end the bombing of Libya. 'I ask, please, out of respect for the pain due to the loss of a son, a gesture of humanity towards the leader,'"...
     We need to discern how to execute policies of humanitarian aid--policies to preserve the lives from the potent threat of despots.  How do we exact a number to guide a foreign aid policy--humanitarian aid?  How many individuals associated with despots may we execute to justify including arms within the framework of humanitarian aid policies?  Do we want to affirm an eye-for-an-eye, a-tooth-for-a-tooth model of foreign policy in relation to despots?  Do we think that we can extinguish evil--extinguish the prospect of enemies--once and for all by targeting one despot at a time?  Where does it stop?

Love Your Enemy

     Jesus calls us to "love your enemy."  This morning's readings challenged my understanding of "enemy."  I hear "enemy" spoken ad nauseum in terms of world events, and terrorism.
     I resist the word "enemy."
     I have never found any good to be found in being hostile toward individuals, or groups, much less nations, who live by different beliefs than I have.  My belief may seem idealistic.  In reality, the contrary is true.
     My temptation has been to add "enemy" to the list of words banned from my vocabulary.  Closely related to the word "enemy" are the words, "courage," "courageous," "crippled," and "evil."
     My response to the list of personally banned words is abhorrence.  I abhor calling anyone an enemy, an act evil, a person a victim, or another individual a hero, not to mention brave, and courageous.  
     I must confess that I do not abhor "courage," and "courageous" as I did at one time.  Why?  Abhorrence can be a disservice, if it is nothing more than bravado.
    This morning's call from Jesus to "love your enemy" leaves me at a loss.
     Is it possible that "banning" it from my vocabulary only serves to blur my vision of, and deafen my hearing as to whom I need to be in communion with--individuals, and groups whom I do not understand today?
     Is it possible that Jesus is inviting me to listen to the words "enemy," and "evil" as adverbs, rather than as adjectives?        
     Am I being called to listen for what actions I need to take to change the world around me?
     Is it possible to be in communion with individuals, or groups, who are identified as "enemies."  How?
     What action does the adverb "enemy" call me to make, so that I may be in communion with the individuals, or groups so described.  Or, am I satisfied with coexisting with the adjectival "enemies" in my life--in the world.