Not a cause for celebration...

‎"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

I read this on a friend's Facebook page this morning. I was having a hard time understanding why the killing of Osama bin Laden was inspiring the kind of raucous and chest-thumping celebration in Times Square and outside the White House that the slaying of American soldiers does in other parts of the world. We're not supposed to be like "them," right?

I'm not about jumping up and down in glee when anyone dies at the hand of another, whether friend or foe. In a perfect world, we'd all get along, accept each other's differences and deal with evil in a peaceful way... I know it's not a perfect world, but I still cannot accept that violent death of any kind is something in which to rejoice.

I am grateful to live in the United States, a country that values individual freedom (though sometimes struggles with what the concept means.) We can voice our opinions, however hateful or offensive, and for the most part, whoever disagrees with us can shout back equally loudly or obnoxiously. But the glorification of extremism in any fashion begets more extremism and, at some point, violence.

I also believe there are things worth fighting for-- the safety of my family and the right to speak my mind and worship the way I choose without fearing retribution, to name but two. But I will never throw a party afterwards-- regardless of how it turns out.