Religious pluralism in post-bin Laden America

Here's another reflection on the death of bin Laden, and whether the U.S. as a nation can get beyond "Osama's worldview: that we are suspended in a cosmic struggle between Western Christendom and Islam":

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-fredericks/post-bin-laden-911-and-th_b_859550.html

The relevance to a "dialogue for peace"? What the author is advocating is that there needs to be dialogue among Americans about how people of different religions - with special reference to Christians and Muslims - can coexist peacefully and productively in a religiously (and otherwise) pluralistic nation. If we can work this out - how to be people of differing faith, differing religious convictions, differing ideas of fundamental truth, and yet live and even work together in peace, for peace, that would be revolutionary. Is it possible?

Just War and Osama Bin Laden

Here's a post with 3 responses to the question, "was the killing of Osama bin Laden a just act?" (in light of "just war" theory):

http://www.capitalcommentary.org/just-war/just-war-and-osama-bin-laden

Fear and Relief - reflecting on the assassination of bin Laden

In the days following the announcement of bin Laden's assassination, there has been a range of reactions, from Americans celebrating in the streets, to people writing questions about whether this was the best way to deal with bin Laden. The following is an excellent reflection, by a leading Christian theologian:

http://www.christiancentury.org/blogs/archive/2011-05/fear-and-relief

Peace Quote of the Day - was it right to assassinate bin Laden?

A friend of mine wrote the following, in an interaction on the news of the murder of Osama bin Laden:

"I think it is wrong to assassinate people. Therefore, from my point of view, Osama bin Laden, should have been arrested, not shot on the spot. A better way to promote democracy, human rights and rule of law would be to arrest, investigate and then prosecute in the court suspected criminals.
 
Our fight against terror and mass murder will not be won through engaging in assassinations ourselves. Use of violence has a tendency to breed more violence."

Bin Laden's Death: Why Vengeance is Not the Answer.

Here's an excellent reflection on Bin Laden's death, and the disturbing response it's illicited: Osama bin Laden's Death: The U.S. Patriot Reflex.

Some thought provoking passages:

Given the nature of the 9/11 attacks a popular desire for vengeance in the US is a perfectly understandable and legitimate emotional response. It is not, however, a foreign policy. And if vengeance is a comprehensible human emotion then empathy is no less so.

Americans have a right to grieve and remember those who died on 9/11. But they have no monopoly on memory, grief or anger. Hundreds and thousands of innocent Afghanis, Iraqis and Pakistanis have been murdered as a result of America's response to 9/11. If it's righteous vengeance they're after, Americans would not be first in line. Fortunately it is not a competition, and there is enough misery to go around.

The American military has done many things in this region. Killing Bin Laden is just one of them.

If "they" killed Bin Laden in Abbottabad then "they" also bombed a large number of wedding parties in Afghanistan, "they" murdered 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha and "they" gang-raped a 14-year-old before murdering her, her six-year-old sister and their parents near Mahmudiyah. If "they" don't want to be associated with the atrocities then "they" need to find more to celebrate than an assassination. Vengeance is, in no small part, what got us here. It won't get us out.