A Conflict

Conflict is everywhere in the world. Some conflict is good. It is necessary for progress and evolution. The conflict that isn’t necessary is harmful and saddening. A conflict that puzzles every rational person rages in a far away country. Technically, there are many such conflicts. But the conflict I am talking about has cost me 150 potential friends. Potential, because I don’t know if I would have ever met them. Friends, because had we met, we would have shared many laughs and tears over a few beers.

The people who killed them said Allah is great. They screamed it from to tops of their lungs as they cocked their guns. But they knew not what that means. How could they? They claimed that they were doing this for Allah, but if he exists, he will show them the wounds they have caused him. He will show them his grief for his 150 sons and daughters, who’s lives they’ve mowed down. Then he will invite them into his paradise, where they will all dine together, knowing the errors of their way.

I may not believe in god, an immortal soul, and paradise in the afterlife. But I believe in forgiveness. While we must secure ourselves as good as possible from future tragedies of this kind, we must find it in our hearts to forgive the terrorists, for our own sakes. Everything else would be a victory of fear.