Osama Bin Laden died one year ago. Kudos to the Obama administration for leading the efforts which seized the terrorist leader. Kudos to the Bush administration for implementing the effective strategy.
On this day my desire is to revisit why Bin Laden attacked us. I must tell you now, this will not be politically correct. We will water down nothing, but we will also be respectful and factually accurate. The Intramuralist believes that political correctness often evades wrestling with the complexity of the truth. Hence, that will not happen here. Wrestling is wise.
Let’s allow for little interpretation. Here are Bin Laden’s own words:
“Every Muslim, from the moment they realize the distinction in their hearts, hates Americans, hates Jews and hates Christians. For as long as I can remember, I have felt tormented and at war, and have felt hatred and animosity for Americans.”
Osama Bin Laden pursued the obliteration of America and Americans based on his Islamic faith. Not all Muslims believe that. Bin Laden did. He hated Americans, Jews, and Christians. His hatred was directly tied to Islam.
“I’m fighting so I can die a martyr and go to heaven to meet God. Our fight now is against the Americans.”
He believed that his efforts were blessed by God, that God would look upon his intentional, vengeful killing as appropriate and necessary. He believed he would go to heaven, meet God, and that encounter would somehow be good.
“In today’s wars, there are no morals. We believe the worst thieves in the world today and the worst terrorists are the Americans. We do not have to differentiate between military or civilian. As far as we are concerned, they are all targets.”
He considered Americans terrorists.
I have no insight into the intelligence of the fully-named Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden. He studied econ, business, and possibly also civil engineering and public administration; attainment of a college degree is disputable. Regardless, the Intramuralist will continue to assert that wisdom and intelligence are two totally distinct attributes. I do not see any semblance of wisdom in Bin Laden.
Bin Laden advocated hate, vengeance, and murder; those are not compatible with wisdom.
Allow me to say that first part again: Bin Laden loudly and vocally advocated hate, vengeance, and murder. He justified that support based on his interpretation and application of Islam.
Hence, I ask the following:
Does the Quran, the central religious text of Islam, encourage violence?
How far-reaching was Bin Laden’s interpretation of that violence?
And as Americans, does our political-correctness in how we currently address insane acts of violence prompted by any religious interpretation impede our ability to wisely wrestle with the truth?
In July of 2009, 4 men in the Bronx plotted to bomb 2 synagogues and shoot down an American military aircraft with a missile. When authorities and then media became aware of the criminal machinations, very little attention was publicly articulated in regard to the religious background of the 4 men. While in prison for either theft, drug-related, or other charges, each converted to Islam while incarcerated. There was significant evidence that “Islamic fanaticism” stoked their strategy. In other words, their religion was relevant to their crime.
The question that our country continues to struggle with this day, is: how relevant was the religion of Osama Bin Laden? And if relevant, is such still in fierce opposition to the serenity and stability of America today?
The war on terror, dear friends, is not yet over. That’s what we need to remember today. Sadly, we also need to remember that still tomorrow.
Respectfully,
AR