Does Jesus love Osama Bin Laden?
Thursday, February 1st, 2007A number of churches around Sydney this last week have put up signs saying “Jesus Loves Osama”, with the words from Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. Churches involved include Central Baptist and St Clement’s Anglican Church, Marrickville. I first heard about the story when ABC Radio Gold Coast rang up asking for some comments for their morning show tomorrow morning. The campaign has been organised by Outreach Media.
Andrew Bolt at the Herald Sun has provoked quite a conversation by linking the poster with Michael Leunig’s question, “Might we, can we, find a place in our heart for the humanity of Osama bin Laden and those others? On Christmas Day can we consider their suffering, their children and the possibility that they too have their goodness? It is a family day, and Osama is our relative.”
So does Jesus love Osama? I asked that question on the night of the September 11 bombings. At a memorial service on the Gold Coast we put up images from the web showing the destruction and horror of the day, along with pictures of human compassion and courage amid the suffering. We also had a photograph of Osama Bin Laden. I had the challenge of weaving into the prayers thoughts for this man and his colleagues.
1. Which Osama?
We assume they’re talking about Osama Bin Laden, the ringleader of the Al Quaeda. Of course there are thousands of people in the world called Osama. It’s a bit like saying “Jesus loves George”. So there’s nothing special about being called Osama then…
2. What is it about Osama Bin Laden that makes this statement neccessary?
We’re aware of Osama Bin Laden’s track record in sponsoring an underground revolution in Afghanistan, forcing Russian troops out of his country. And we’re aware of Osama Bin Laden’s track record in resourcing and training militants in campaigns of resistance and terrorism around the world, including the September 11 2001 bombing of the Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City. There are people who share the passions of Osama Bin Laden. There are people who are loved by Osama. But for many people this character does not qualify for the ‘lovable’ category.
3. What is it about Jesus that makes this statement possible?
Looking at Jesus’ track record we discover a tendency to search out people who have been rejected by their peers. In some cases he’s befriended people who have been spurned because of their despicable actions. In other cases it’s people who have been unfairly treated. What appears to be consistent is Jesus’ capacity for undeserved mercy (grace) for ’sinners’.
4. What kind of love are we talking about?
A common interpretation of the word ‘love’ is centred on the concept of affection and fondness. “I love that guy”. With that meaning inserted into the “Jesus loves Osama” statement we have a distorted perception of Osama, Jesus and love. The kind of love consistently shown by Jesus is more about the capacity of our creator to engage with creation with compassion, concern and call for renewal. This is the kind of love that sees beyond our perceived aggrievances and sees God’s gift of humanity even in the lives of abusive men and women. Jesus forgave even those who treated him unfairly and brought about his death. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. Abd yet God’s love is not about blind tolerance of destructive attitudes or behaviour. Jesus was not shy about calling people to model their lives on his compassionate love.
5. Can love go with the use of violence to prevent further destructive behaviour?
I think so. I would prefer that to embarking on a campaign of hate.
So what would you say in response to the statement, “Jesus loves Osama?”
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