Tuesday,
December 28 2004
A CONTRAST WORTH RECOGNIZING: Just hours after
one of the worst human tragedies in recent memory, leaders
of the United
States, Britain,
Australia,
France,
Germany
and many other governments from around the world released
statements offering their condolences for the passing of
so many innocent souls and pledging to marshall the resources
of their respective governments to assist stricken countries
in feeding and clothing the homeless, treating the wounded,
burying the dead, and rebuilding shattered communities.
Yesterday
Osama bin Laden released
a different kind of statement. In an audiotaped message
bin Laden demanded Iraqis boycott the coming elections and
threatened that "everyone who participates in this
election will be considered an infidel."
Bin
Laden also bestowed the title of "amir" (deputy
or prince) upon Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and said he was "pleased"
with Zarqawi's efforts in Iraq. The last time the world
saw Zarqawi he was slicing the head off an innocent person
on videotape.
Obviously,
the contrast couldn't be greater. On one hand you see an
army of compassion; governments and citizens banding together
to help one another in the aftermath of a devastating tragedy.
On the other hand you see an army of tyranny and death;
a group of thugs and murderers who spend every waking moment
trying to prevent people from living in freedom.
As
we all ponder the meaning of what happened on Saturday and
how such tragedy could befall so many on one of the holiest
days of the year, I'd humbly suggest that perhaps a great
contrast is what God had in mind. Not a contrast between
Christians and Muslims, but rather between the display of
a massive global outpouring of heartfelt compassion and
the sinister threats of a group of heartless terrorists.
A contrast, in other words, between good and evil. And in
the battle between good and evil we can rest assured, to
borrow a phrase from a rather well known Texan, that "God
is not neutral between them." - T. Bevan
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