Love Thy Terrorist

Howard has a thoughtful post titled Why I love terrorists. In part:

When I'm at my best, I love all sorts of evil people. I'm not ashamed to say so. I'm only ashamed of those times when I let my anger get in the way of what I believe. And why? Because of the words I've heard since I was a small child: "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you." (-Matthew 5:44)

I know it's not a popular sentiment, and it's not one that comes easily to me either. But in falling back on everything I’ve been taught since my earliest days in Sunday school, I realize it’s the right sentiment for anyone who follows Christian teachings. According to those words, I'm supposed to love everyone, terrorists included.

Those being the words of Jesus, and this nation being inhabited by so many Christians, a post about loving terrorists shouldn't seem too outlandish, but I'm sure it represents a minority view. Unfortunately, I know too many Christians who unabashedly claim an exemption to the love-your-enemies rule, especially when it comes to certain offenders.

I'm no Christian, but I know W claims to be one hell of a Christian.