To seek Justice ( revenge ) or To turn the other cheek is certainly a heavily debated topic world over since the assassination of Osama Bin Laden by Elite American forces in Pakistan.Arguments are raging on both sides as to whether going after Osama Bin Laden to extract revenge, on the head of the organisation that had repeatedly struck out at innocent civilians world over was the civilised and righteous path of action, or whether in doing so we have lowered ourselves to the lowest common denominator and in the end made ourselves no different from those that we openly loath and wish to extract revenge against.
For what it’s worth, I will openly state here that I personally believe that the al-Qaeda’s challenge to the Western world required a response equal to or greater than their attacks on the innocent people they heartlessly and callously attacked across the globe. I personally believe that Osama Bin Laden as the recognised head of the al-Qaeda organisation had to be personally held accountable for the brutal murders carried out by the organisation he spoke for.
I will be the first to admit that there is always two sides to each argument and that there is an enormous argument as to which side struck first and therefore who has the moral high ground to stand upon.
Certainly the argument of Middle Eastern Politics and Diplomacy will not be answered here today or anytime in the foreseeable future with all its intricacies and thousands of years of fundamental distrust and hate between all parties.
On a separate but connected question being poised by a non-religious but deeply spiritual person, I find it astounding that all of this hatred and murdering is the bedrock of religion verses religion on the sacred soils which is widely accepted as the birthplace of modern man and humanity. Doesn’t say much for humanity if the sum of our existence is what we are currently fighting over, considering it is the very same thing that we were fighting over on day one of humanity ( so much for evolving to a higher self ).
But back to my original line of conversation, to retaliate or not to retaliate.
All civilisations have laws which cover the subject of grievous assault and self-defence. Most acknowledge that it is unlawful to deliberately and maliciously assault or injure another person or persons, most equally acknowledge the fundamental rights of everyone to defend themselves against assault or injury.
It is widely recognised in these laws that individuals are allowed to use force equal to the treat against them to maintain their freedom and to protect themselves against harm. Many civilisations and countries throughout the world take these principles even further by recognising the right of family to extract equal justice should their loved one be killed in an attack.
As such I think it can be acknowledged that it is universally accepted that everyone has the right to defend themselves whilst a threat against their freedom and safety is still present.
I also believe that it is universally acknowledged that al-Qaeda is still very much an active organisation with active goals to extract further harm and suffering on Western ( Christian ) civilisations. As such al-Qaeda is still a current threat and therefore we have a universally recognised right to defend ourselves with force equal to the threat poised against us, which is clearly the treat of death. Therefore any member al-Qaeda must be equally responsible for the treat poised towards Western ( Christian ) civilisations and equally accountable for all its actions. The very same actions which Western ( Christian ) civilisations are defending themselves against.
After the initial jubilation expressed throughout Western civilisations regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden most of the talk and comments have swung towards the argument of hate only breeds hate and violence only begets violence, much has been said about turning the other cheek and forgiving those who sin against us.
Many quotes have been put forward from some of the most influential people in history calling for peace and the denouncement of violence at any cost.
Quotes such as :
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate:… only love can do that." --Martin Luther King, Jr
"An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind" - Gandhi.
As stated earlier, I believe that Osama Bin Laden as head of al-Qaeda had to be held accountable for the atrocities that al-Qaeda perpetrated against Western ( Christian ) civilisations.
I believe that at the centre of all the arguments and passionate discussions Osama Bin Laden and the al-Qaeda organisation are nothing more than “ Sand Pit Bullies ” on the global stage. And as much as your parents, priests and governing bodies may tell you so – “ Bullies Do Not go away if you ignore them ” they continue to Bully and Victimise their prey until they defeat their prey or THEY ARE STOPPED.
“ All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing ”
Edmund Burke
It is also interesting to note that so many of the Peace Advocates for all their denouncement of violence were assassinated, why many may ask, because evil only responds to evil, evil does not acknowledge peace, evil is self-fuelling where as peace must constantly be motivated and reinvigorated to the cause.
Peace in essence is to do nothing, to not strike back, to turn the cheek and not buy into the argument, to not defend yourself. All of which feeds into the hands of evil, “ All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing ”.
YES the assassination of Osama Bin will inflame the al-Qaeda organisation and YES the death of Osama Bin will not stop the crusade of the al-Qaeda organisation but to be honest WHO CARES, al-Qaeda where not going to stop if ignored, they were not simple going to lose interest and go away and pick on someone else, they were never going to suddenly have a reflective moment and decide that their life long held beliefs were wrong. They believe that only the restoration of Sharia law would "set things right" in the Muslim world, and that alternatives such as socialism and democracy"—must be opposed at all cost. Osama consistently dwelt on the need for a violent jihad to right what he believed were injustices against Muslims and Osama's ideology included the idea that civilians, including women and children were all legitimate targets of jihad.
YES more will step up to continue his cause and to represent al-Qaeda and to them we must also stand up and defend ourselves, we must hold them and ALL that follow to justice for their actions as well.
Because to do anything else would be to surrender to Evil, to do nothing and let Evil Triumph.
Post Not : Just finished reading a fantastic Blog by Glen which is worth a read, please take the time to click on his name and go to his link.
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