“Hopefully there will be greater appreciation for the Church’s historic stance that God ordained the state to punish evildoers who attack the innocent.” — Mark Tooley, IRD President

Osama bin Laden’s killing by U.S. Special Forces recalls that absolutist pacifism’s influence within left-leaning U.S. religious circles has been growing, even since 9-11. Had U.S. policymakers heeded their counsel, bin Laden’s career of murder and terror would still continue. U.S. intelligence also would not have received tips reportedly leading to bin Laden if it had not detained and interrogated terrorist suspects–over the vehement protests of the Religious and Evangelical Left.

IRD President Mark Tooley commented:

“All persons of good will can be grateful that the U.S. military, helped by U.S. intelligence agencies, has successfully ended Osama bin Laden’s career of terror.

“Sadly, since 9-11, many church voices have insisted that Christianity mandates pacifism. Hopefully there will now be greater appreciation for the Church’s historic stance that God ordained the state to punish evildoers who attack the innocent.

“The Church does not rejoice to see anyone perish. It always seeks repentance and offers God’s grace, even while recognizing the state’s duty to punish. As Christians we would have preferred to see bin Laden renounce terror. But he died, as he lived, by the sword. The Church has always understood that government has a distinct responsibility to execute justice, sometimes employing lethal force.

“American Christians must challenge pacifist church elites so out of touch with nearly universal Christian teaching and out of touch with the hard realities of evil and justice in a fallen world.”

The Institute on Religion & Democracy works to reaffirm the church’s biblical and historical teachings, strengthen and reform its role in public life, protect religious freedom, and renew democracy at home and abroad.