BIN LADEN IN HELL?

Perhaps you heard reported throughout the news the poll taken by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Religion News Service which says that 65% of Americans believe that Osama bin Laden is in hell. Well, here’s the rest of the story: 80% of Evangelical Christians believe he’s in hell while 66% of Catholics and Protestants hold the same belief. Of those who are religiously unaffiliated, less than half feel bin Laden is in hell. Here’s one more statistic: 62% think it is wrong to celebrate the death of another human being.

The Bible clearly states “small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to eternal life; only a few will find it,” while the “gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to eternal destruction.” The Bible also says that "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and expel demons in your name and perform many miracles in your name? And then I will say to them, 'I never knew you, away from me you workers of inequity.'" It seems that getting to heaven is not such an easy thing to do. It would also seem that if anyone missed the “small gate and narrow road” that it is Osama bin Laden.

Here’s what rubs me wrong though. If Christians don’t believe that bin Laden is bound for hell, how is there anything that they are doing or not doing going to condemn themselves? Do you see what I’m getting at? If a third of Catholics and Protestants don’t believe bin Laden is in hell, then what does it take to get there? For them, contrary to the Bible, the gate to heaven must be wide and its road must be broad. Furthermore, if you don’t believe bin Laden is in hell how could you ever think that hell is in your own destiny, regardless of the life you live? Do you believe Hitler is not in hell too?

We are not to judge people’s souls but we are supposed to discern right and wrong, good and evil. Too many Christians today are afraid to call true evil by its name. They have been made weak-kneed by political correctness and selective righteousness. My friends, sorry to break it to you…but Osama bin Laden was evil. If Scriptures mean anything, evil does not ultimately triumph; evil loses big time.

While I’m at it, we should know that there is a difference between celebrating the demise of a human soul and celebrating the demise of evil. We aren’t to celebrate or wish someone suffers in hell. However, all through the Bible, God’s people celebrate victory over evil. Psalms and songs were written commemorating such victories. We are to pray for and be thankful for the victories God grants us over evil. Furthermore, we are commanded to hate evil. That may shock some readers so I’ll reference a few verses: Romans 12:9, Amos 5:15 & Psalm 8:13.

It baffles me to think that only two-thirds of Catholics and Protestants can bring themselves to say that bin Laden is in hell. If he is not destined for hell, who is? Is anyone? If no-one is headed for hell, then let’s close up the Bible, churches, and do away with morals, ethics, and laws. Then we’ll have another thing to celebrate: Life without rules or consequences!!