Given that you've made it to my lowly blog to read this, I can only assume you've seen the MLK-quote phenomenon sweep across your web browser, either on Facebook or Twitter or some news site scavenging for hits. It's probably even landed in newspapers all over America. If you haven't (maybe you've been unconscious the past few days?), here's the quote for your reference:
I will 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.
It has since been identified as slightly mangled (even as people continue to spread it), but that's not what fascinates me. What has piqued my interest is whether or not people truly feel this way, because it's almost precisely how I felt when I first heard the news. In my own heart, the jury's still out as to why there's conflicting feelings, but if there's more than just a handful of us that have reacted this way, perhaps there's a common denominator. Maybe, like Ryan from The Office confesses as an excuse for his negligent behavior as a VP, we "never really processed 9/11." Maybe the past 10 years were enough to sufficiently fog our memory and, to a larger extent, our hatred. Do you think you'd feel any different had Osama been killed back in 2001 or 2002? We were different people back then, weren't we?
There's no doubt that I think the world is better off without a guy like bin Laden in it, but it's best that we not forget one thing, which I think is well embodied in this statement from a friend of mine on Facebook: "God is...just, and the death of one man is God's justice fulfilled. However, we shouldn't forget that we too deserve this same justice." (my thanks to Adam for this insight)
Thanks for your enlightened comments, David. It's helping me put a better perspective on these events, and encourages me to show (& be) the love that I want to see in the world!
ReplyDeletelove you,
Mom
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that
ReplyDeleteit reminds me of the famous Matthew 5 verse
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
thanks for sharing
I could not agree with you more. A country that that supposedly reflects Christian ideals seeams to be celebrating in the death of another. I cannot help but wonder, how would we feel if one of our leaders was killed? While I grasp the hatred and evil that this man ordered and participated in over several years, I also understand that to many cultures our country and religion are perceived as evil. As I try to place myself as an outsider looking in, it seems so barbaric to be celebrating in the streets and chanting USA. My patriotism and gratefulness that the vistims and their families of 911 have found justice will not be altered but I will not use this as an excuse to celebrate anothers death. Fabricated or not, I believe that there is a lot of truth to the quote.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your insight and glad someone shares the thoughts I also have been pondering.
Wishing you the best.