The Killing of Bin Laden

I have been left a little confused about this one: The wild celebrations in the US about the killing of Osama Bin Laden.  Matt Yglesias has an interesting post about the reaction in Germany, where Angela Merkel has been criticised for celebrating the death of Bin Laden.  Yglesias admits he finds Christian teaching on forgiving enemies wierd and odd, but I think makes the more important point: That a nation that professes loudly to be Christian also so openly advocates violent methods.

My initial reaction to that is to question the Christianity that is being referred to, on the American right wing: How legitimate is the Christian that picks and chooses the bits of the bible that they uphold and ignores the uncomfortable bits? Is it just that these politicians embrace Christianity for political purposes?

However, that's a bit of an un-Christian response on my part; who am I to understand the delicate calculations that must go on inside the corridors of power, the various forces acting upon the Christian in that situation? Who am I, who as a sinner also picks and chooses from time to time the bits of the Bible I follow (when hitting 80mph on the motorway, when uttering an obscenity - often also while driving), and casts judgement on others - something the Bible says is for God to do alone?

Of course, the Bible does also say that Scripture is useful for training and rebuking, and hence it does not suggest the Christian response is to not mention things others are doing which do not promote the Gospel in a positive light - something many on the Christian Right in America most certainly don't do (epitomised probably best by George Bush). So on balance I think it's right to question those cheering the death of another. I heard someone from a bank who lost almost 700 employees in the 9/11 bombings, and he said that it's somewhat like when the verdict is announced in court: usually the victims aren't the ones leaping for joy, and he felt that.

Bin Laden was a terrible person and most certainly evil, and I have little doubt he isn't enjoying the eternal torment that is Hell currently. But that doesn't mean I'm cheering his death and nor do I think any Christian who is consciously trying to uphold the Bible and glorify Christ should either.