The Killing of Saddam
“Our respect for human rights requires us to execute him, and there will be no review or delay in carrying out the sentence," Al-Maliki said. Associated Press, December 29, 2006
Surely, the world must look at this very public case as a perfect example being held to the light to view the darkness of mankind.
Mercy is the hallmark of a civilized soul. Whether or not another is merciful cannot dictate our ability to be so and to believe it should dictate such, is to be uncivilized.
Vengeance is the mark of man’s weakness, as it attempts to break down Spirit within, not add to it. Man must look at it for what it is; vengeance, incorrectly called justice, is an attempt to destroy the foundation of man’s divinity within, which cannot be destroyed.
In this public instance we can view this as an opportunity to begin to actually follow what Christ and many others have suggested we do. Hope springs eternal, in many who see this as such.
We are not made better people for killing murderers. We are not made more holy by showing our dismay at the evils of man. We are not made more powerful by exerting power over others.
Let us show Mercy and forgiveness to every one, not just some. The message of all Spiritual paths including Christians, is not murder or vengeance; not punishment or public display of power.
We must not kill in the name of justice; it is never justice to kill, in any circumstance.
We cannot murder him in the name of ‘righteous’ vindication; it is never righteous to justify our power over life. And vindication is but a show of selfishness to the highest degree.
And last but not least….we cannot kill in response to the cries of anger from victims; we are all victims of hate if we choose to do the same as he did. We can only respond to their calls with love, and in so doing, we help heal them. Murdering Saddam is not healing anyone.
It’s so simple! Yet we listen instead to such complicated reasons for his execution, given in the name of the ‘laws of man’ or ‘human rights’ laws in which we claim one life is more valued than another. There is no more valuable a life, nor less valuable, and no one human being less deserving of Mercy.
Until we all agree upon this, our so-called civilized society will fall and we will all fall victim to our own hatred and judgment.
Diane L. Perretto
