War is a Last Resort, Not an Olympic Sport

Wed, 05/04/2011 - 10:22

I don’t rejoice at Osama bin Laden’s death, but I’m relieved he is dead. He can no longer mastermind or inspire the deaths of others. However, I cringe when I see people waving American flags as they cheer and shout "USA! USA!" War is a last resort, not an Olympic sport.

Many of Osama’s followers believe he was engaged in a holy war, died bravely as a martyr, and is now enjoying the fruits of heaven along with the first of his 72 virgins. But by some unlikely chance, had Osama repented of his nefarious deeds and become a born again Christian just before he died, many Christians would believe that Osama is now in heaven, comforted by the Blessed Virgin.

I don’t care what ludicrous beliefs people have, except when such beliefs cause harm to innocent people. I don’t believe in any gods and I don’t believe we can have good holy wars. Our goal should be to prevent more deaths overall, not to “win” by having more of their people die than our people. At some level, I grieve whenever a life is lost.

Continue reading (via "On Faith")

Comments

Submitted by mulla (not verified) on Sat, 05/14/2011 - 22:10.

Would you feel the same if George W. Bush, who masterminded with his administration the killing of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis (for oil and for protecting his pet state, Israel) had the same demise? Or for that matter any of the Israeli leaders who bombed schools, hospitals and refugee camps in Gaza? Or would you be happier living your life with double standards?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/04/2011 - 11:26.

"I don’t care what ludicrous beliefs people have, except when such beliefs cause harm to innocent people." This man indiscriminately ordered the deaths of thousands of innocent people, including many many civilians. I would say that his beliefs caused great harm to innocent people. His death makes the world, or at least our part of it safer. He was focused on trying to topple "the decadent imperialistic, homosexual infidels of America". He did us great harm, and I for one am glad that he is dead.

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Herb Silverman

Herb Silverman is the founder and president emeritus of the Secular Coalition for America. He received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Syracuse University and is Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the College of Charleston. In 1990, Silverman became South Carolina's most famous atheist activist when he challenged the state's religious test for public office by entering its gubernatorial race. He is a regular contributor to The Washington Post's "On Faith" blog.

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