After recent events in the Middle East and the different opinions that have come forward, it's gotten me thinking. If everyone who is upset about Bin Laden’s death was equally upset about every death (namely, helpless babies), I would be willing to bet that abortion would not be legal in our nation. The death of an evil, violent man in the midst of war has caused Facebook status debates like I have never seen, and quotes about peace/harmony/anti-killing are being posted by people who I know to be pro-choice. It all seems backward to me. How does one so strongly condemn the loss of such a murderous man, and then turn around and vote or argue in favor of the continued murder of innocent, pure, defenseless souls?
I will never celebrate death and violence, but I do understand that in the context of war there are special ethical and moral implications/exceptions that apply to the soldiers fighting. As I understand it, the Navy SEALs who completed the mission first tried to capture Bin Laden alive but were met with resistance. Only time will tell if this is what actually occurred and really, none of us will truly know what happened during that 40-minute raid because, let’s face it, none of us were there. And maybe I’m naïve for believing in the good of mankind, but I like to think that the soldiers on that mission would not have killed unless it was their last resort.
The bottom line is; I don’t understand the inconsistency of some people’s moral beliefs. Why do some think that is it a human right to kill unborn babies but it’s unjust to kill the founder of Al Queda? Every human being has dignity and is made in the image of God. I just pray that someday people will realize this.
What do you think? I’m I being naïve for giving these soldiers the benefit of the doubt? Have you witnessed this kind of inconsistency? And how do we as Christians lovingly point out these inconsistencies?
6 comments:
Oh dear...the problem of inconsistecy. Moral relativism allows us to justify darn near anything. No you are not naive for allowing soldiers the benefit of doubt. How does one lovingly point out these inconsistencies with our friend and family? Jesus did an outstanding job using parables, they don't accuse anyone of anything. If the hearer hears, then great, if not, the relationship is still intact. He did end up on the cross for speaking the truth in love however.
Well said, Papa B. I witness these inconsistencies on a daily basis - at school(work) and at home. All that I really can do is pray for those who express such a dichotomy of understanding.
Love to you and your Chris!
Thank you for such a thoughtful post! I agree with the inconsistencies in people's logic and that it is super frustrating.
Well stated. good and faithful servant! We are trusting our liberty and life to our armed forces; we must trust the judgement of those who are calling the shots (pun intended-:)
Inconsistencies? What else from
any who are not concerned with justice and mercy according to the
word of The Lord, only with doing "what is right in his/her own eyes". Sound familiar? Read the last verse of the last chapter of Judges -
a Book filled with accounts of the lawlessness of mankind. Not much has changed, sadly.
"Why do some think that it is a human right to kill unborn babies but it’s unjust to kill the founder of Al Queda?"
Yeah there's a lot of twisted logic. There's a fundamental misunderstanding of what constitutes a person and a just war.
In a strange irony, abortion advocates (for the most part) have good intentions and have a strong understanding that a person's dignity does necessarily include the freedom to choose. As we all know of course, the problem begins when one overlooks the reality that a person comes to exist at the moment of conception and then 9 times out of 10 selfishness fallaciously justifies the killing of an innocent life.
I think people that disagree with Bin Laden's death/assassination claim it was more revenge then justice. Revenge of course is fueled by selfish desires and should be avoided. Making the distinction in this specific case is a thin line to walk I think. But (getting to your "killing as a last resort" point), self-defense and using force to ensure greater peace is ethically sound as long as innocent people are spared, which they were in this case.
This begs the question that many abortion advocates see as an inconsistency with the conservative political mindset: is capital punishment revenge of self-defense?
To answer in short: because people have good intentions but also clouded rationale due to selfishness.
Solution: don't be selfish. (Seem too simple doesn't it?)
I like this :) I just read a book called Lone Survivor about a team of Navy SEALS, where they lost 3 of the 4 in their team because they didn't kill three shepherds that they stumbled upon. They were not supposed to and morally couldn't. But those men turned right around and sent the Taliban on them, killing 3 of the 4. I'm sure they didn't go in to kill Bin Laden.
Selflessness is the root of all of this, especially abortion. Unfortunately, it's so hard to change.
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