So good, I had to copy and paste it…

My friend Heather on Facebook shared the following, something a friend of hers had written. 

As an American, a veteran, and as a believer who is wrestling with some new-found territories in his faith, I find myself torn by the events of the last several days; struggling with the perceived necessity of self-defense, on both a national and personal level, vs. the undeniable path of the Prince of Peace.

I take no joy in the death of bin Laden, only a grim satisfaction.

Most people who have worn the uniform will tell you that, while they were prepared to do whatever is required in the defense of our country, it is not their desire to take a life. By the same token, I would not hesitate to do whatever was required to protect my family from an armed intruder. However, I know that I would have major emotional trauma to deal with after taking a life, even in defense of my own flesh & blood.

On the other hand, I see this as a perfect opportunity to actually apply the cliche, WWJD? Try as I might, I just can’t see Him whipping out a Smith & Wesson .45 and putting two hollow-point bullets in someone’s head. 

As a follower of Christ who also happens to be gay, I have grown accustomed to what Andrew Marin calls "living in the tension" of two seemingly conflicting ideas. Having lived most of my adult life in fundamentalist/evangelical circles, there was definitely tension between the teachings that I had absorbed throughout my life and the growing conviction that I was created gay and that "it was good." 

Many may disagree with this statement, and I have lost people about whom I care deeply by walking the path that I now walk. But I firmly believe that, regardless of whether or not I am right, I am loved and unconditionally accepted by the Lover of my soul. Similarly, I may lose friends over this essay, but I feel that this needs to be said.

Watching so many of my friends and fellow believers rejoice in the death of this man has been eye-opening. I have even read quotes from people who are supposed to be ministers of grace gleefully welcoming bin Laden to Hell! I have been wrestling with a number of new revelations in the last few months and years; seeing this jubilation over what is at best a somber blip in an ongoing conflict has just brought this particular spiritual question to the fore.

Yes, I am happy that the threat that OBL posed has been eliminated, but like a hydra, more heads will rise to replace his. 

Am I proud of our military? Of course! Do I love this country? Yes I do, with a love that recognizes her beauty while acknowledging her imperfections. Do I think I have the answer? No, and I don’t like not having an answer.

I guess that this is just another area where I will have to learn to "live in the tension" of two seemingly conflicting convictions. Evntually His Spirit will guide me into all truth, even if that doesn’t happen while I’m living. For today, I see through a glass darkly. Then I will know, and know Him, face to face.

I was incredibly touched by this because I also had a lot of these same thoughts.  I understand feeling relief at the death of Bin Laden, but to actually celebrate it?  That part I just don’t get, and when I found out he had died I actually found myself praying for his soul.  No matter how despicable of a human being he was, he was still a human being, a child of God, and I don’t think for one second God celebrated his death.  I mean no offense to anyone with this post, and I apologize if I do offend anyone, but this is what was weighing on my mind and I needed to get it out there.