This was a new one for me. I commented on a friend's post on facebook and I later got a message from a man whom I had never met before. He was so upset that I didn't think Osama's death should be celebrated, that he made sure in private to list off the reasons why. I start out a little crass, but "warm up" a little later on. Here's our conversation:
Frank: I'm wondering if you would feel the same way if your mother, dad, brother or even your sister were the ones in the twin towers the day Osama Bin Laden murdered all those innocent people?Me: Good question. I'll never know. But I don't believe in an eye for an eye. Death is not to be celebrated it's meant to be revered. And if one has is no reason to revere it, then they can reflect on those who have been affected by the person.
Somebody is affected by death, and to metaphorically shit on somebody's grave and have that be shown across seas does not help anything. Were you angered by when people were cheering for that the WTC came down? Why not stop the ridiculous fight by not acting like a gloating winner.
Read this. The author's husband died in the WTC and she doesn't feel the way you would hope her to.
I'm glad you're concerned about me not being an asshole. But maybe you should be more self-reflexive.
Me: Relief doesn't require celebration or gloating. It should be a somber moment remembering those who were lost and coming to terms that it's less likely to happen again -- at least by the same man.
Frank: There are six things the Lord heats, seven that are detestable to him: 1. haughty eyes, 2. a lying tongue, 3. Hands That Shed Innocent Blood, 4. A Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes, 5. Feet That Are Quick To Rush Into Evil, 6. a false witness who pours out lies, 7. and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Proverbs 6:16Me: How about using your own words rather than the Bible? Or at least using your own words to enhance your point after the the verses...
But really I don't know why you're telling me this. Are you implying that one or all of these apply to me? I'm not seeing it.
Did you happen to see what the pope said about he issue?
"Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibility of everyone before God and man, and hopes and pledges that every event is not an opportunity for a further growth of hatred, but of peace.”
-From the Vatican's statement on the death of Osama bin Laden.
Why do you even care what I feel? I don't even know you.
Frank: The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death. Proverbs 11: 19 I'm implying this to Bin Laden Me: But how does that apply to how I deal with his death?
What's your point? If you don't answer in your own words, this game is over?
Frank: "Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices" Are you a Christian, do you read the Bible, have you read Proverbs ? When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Proverbs 11:10Me: I am not a Christian. I was. However, if I were a Christian I would prefer to call on the New Testament for my moral standards. Jesus is the one who teaches kindness. The Old Testament is riddled with a vengeful God.
You're recalling from a Testament that spreads, "An eye for an eye". I'd rather see you quote, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
See the difference? You can either perpetuate the ugly cycle of hatred, or you could be the bigger man. Which side do you take?
From this point on I haven't heard back. Maybe Frank's trying to reconcile the fact that the Gods in the Bible are based off of two different concepts. The first is a Babylonian/Sumerian/Egyptian deity, the second of Greek/Roman/Anatolian ideology. One deals with expanding nations conquering lands, the other with a more urban environment, dealing with a lifestyle under a well-established governing body.
Labels: affection, conflicting views, hate, love, New Testament, Old Testament, spite
