Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi died yesterday after two 500 pound bombs were dropped on his safe-house (not so safe, huh?). I learned of this as I programmed my DVR this morning.
My first reaction was, "Sweet! We finally got the murderer and instigator. It's about time."
The reaction was unmitigated joy. Complete and total excitement at the death of a human being. And I thought, "How in the world can I be so calloused--I mean, this man died and is going to hell. And I'm cheering about this?"
So mainly I wonder how do I temper my joy at the punishment of evil men while not forgetting that we are all evil men, deserving to die? Or should I just be glad that he's gone--never to kill anyone else? I never want to get to the point where I can enjoy the deaths of people--but of all the people to be joyful about, al-Zarqawi seems to be in the top ten.
What is the correct mix between gracy, mercy and justice? And what should my reaction be?