Feature Story - June 2011
Faith Community Reacts to Terrorist Leader's Death
For over two decades, bin Laden has been al-Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date, in our nation's effort to defeat al-Qaeda.
A team of U.S. Navy SEALs, under orders by President Obama, recently conducted a covert operation, in which al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden, was shot and killed at his compound in Pakistan.
Bin Laden's death came just months before the tenth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks carried out by the terrorist group, which led to the deaths of nearly three thousand Americans.
In announcing bin Laden's death just hours after the mission was carried out, the President said, in part, "The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly ten years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who's been gravely wounded.
Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al-Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must-and we will–remain vigilant at home and abroad.
As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not–and never will be–at war with Islam. I've made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9-11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al-Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity," the President said.
The day after the military operation to kill bin-Laden was carried out, the President added, "I think we can all agree that this is a good day for America. Our country has kept its commitment to see that justice is done. The world is safer; it is a better place because of the death of Osama bin Laden."
Likewise, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton noted, "History will record that bin Laden's death came at a time of great movement toward freedom and democracy, at a time when the people across the Middle East and North Africa are rejecting the extremist narratives and charting a path of peaceful progress, based on universal rights and aspirations. There is no better rebuke to al-Qaeda and its heinous ideology.
All over the world, we will press forward, bolstering our partnerships, strengthening our networks, investing in a positive vision of peace and progress, and relentlessly pursuing the murderers who target innocent people," Clinton said.
Following his death, bin Laden was buried at sea, a procedure outlined by John Brennan, assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, during a White House briefing.
"The disposal of–the burial of-bin Laden's remains, was done in strict conformance with Islamist precepts and practices. It was prepared in accordance with the Islamic requirement that an individual be buried within 24 hours."
That point was echoed by White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
"The efforts that were made to give Osama bin Laden an appropriate burial, following Islamic precepts and traditions, were considerable. However, I would also say that the respect that was shown to him and his body was far greater than the respect that Osama bin Laden showed to the victims on 9-11 or any of his other victims, and that's because who we are.
So we feel very comfortable with the fact that we took extraordinary measures to show that respect to the traditions of the Islamic faith."
The Islamic Society of North America said it "welcomes justice for 9-11 victims" with bin Laden's death.
"ISNA joins President Obama and prays that as the nation continues to heal from the devastation inflicted upon them at the hands of bin Laden, we will turn to each other united, and emerge with an even stronger resolve to take every action necessary to protect the precious ideals of our nation that bin Laden attempted to destroy on 9-11: peace, tolerance, respect and freedom for all," ISNA President, Imam Mohamed Magid, stated.
Shoulder-to-Shoulder, a coalition of 25 Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious, faith-based and interfaith organizations, in a statement, said, "Our religious leaders express hope that the death of Osama bin Laden will close a difficult era in the history of our nation and our world. Bin Laden was well-known for committing crimes against humanity and for manipulating and distorting the religion of Islam to sow division among peoples. Bin Laden's death marks an opportunity for each of us to renew our shared responsibility to be a part of ushering in a new era marked not by hate and discord, but by peace, harmony and mutual understanding."
Interfaith Alliance President, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, said, "I commend the President for making that point that the United States ‘is not, and never will be, at war with Islam.' It is my fervent hope and prayer that as we put this chapter behind us, we also leave behind the demonization and mistrust of the broader Muslim community that came with it.
The best possible follow-up to bin Laden's death would be our nation's recommitment to living together with respect for diversity, achieving unity through cooperation, and strengthening our resolve for establishing peace with justice," Gaddy stated.
Some Southern Baptist ethicists interviewed by Baptist Press, agreed that the killing of bin Laden was justified.
Dr. Richard Land, president of the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said, "If anyone ever deserved the forfeiture of his life for crimes against humanity, it was Osama bin Laden. This was more of an execution than a killing."
R. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said, "The killing of bin Laden was fully justified as an act of war, but we should feel the loss of the greater satisfaction of human justice. Bin Laden did not have to answer to the world about his murderous actions and plans after the evidence against him was presented.
Christians know that bin Laden escaped the reach of full human justice and a trial for his crimes, but he will not escape the judgment that is to come. Bin Laden will not escape his trial before the court of God," Mohler said.
Also, Daniel Heimbach, senior professor of Christian ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, said, "The world is rightly celebrating the passing of Osama bin Laden as a matter of justice overcoming injustice, and of truth overcoming deception.
Though Christians should and must rejoice because, in this event, we see good transcending evil, we cannot, and must never say we have any pleasure in the ending of a human life made in God's eternal image," Heimbach stated.
That view was shared by the Vatican, which issued a statement, that in part, read, "Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions to this end.
In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace, and not of hatred," the Vatican wrote.
Likewise, Sojourners Founder and CEO, the Rev. Jim Wallis, said, "The death of bin Laden must become an important historical moment of reflection. How do we best respond to evil and those who perpetrate it? What have we learned in the last ten years about what is truly the best answer to the violence of terrorism? How do we change the conditions that have allowed terrorists to pull others into their agenda?
In this fallen world, we are often faced with imperfect choices in response to the clear dangers of evil. Religious wisdom always has us look also at ourselves and what opportunities we have to be makers of peace," Wallis said.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Christian ethicist, David Gushee, who said, "For those of us who embrace a version of the just war theory, honed carefully over the centuries of Christian tradition, our response is disciplined by belief that war itself is tragic, and that all killing in war, even in self-defense, must be treated with sobriety, and even mournfulness. War, and all of its killing, reflects the brokenness of our world. That is the proper spirit with which to greet this news."
Open Doors Founder, Brother Andrew, said, "While recognizing the human, political and military significance of Osama bin Laden's death, especially for those who have suffered from the awful violence that he and his organization have committed all over the world, we recognize the biblical call to pray for those who persecute."
For several years, Brother Andrew challenged Christians with this question, "Have you prayed for Osama bin Laden today?"
Upon learning of bin Laden's death, Brother Andrew said, "I'm still praying. There are other leaders of al-Qaeda who are even more dangerous. It's a movement. The question we have to answer is, ‘Are we revenge-driven or forgivenessdriven?' This is a time for honest reflection. God's call is for us to pursue righteousness."
The National Council of Churches, in a statement, said the death of bin Laden should "stimulate the churches to commit themselves to moving forward together as witnesses for God's love and peace."
"Just as Christians must condemn the violence of terrorism, let us be clear that we do not celebrate the loss of life under any circumstances. The NCC's 37-member communions believe the ultimate justice for this man's soul–or any soul–is in the hands of God. In this historic moment, let us turn to a future that embraces God's call to be peacemakers, pursuers of justice, and loving neighbors to all people."
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