Statement on the killing of Osama Bin Laden

The Methodist Church in Britain has issued the followingstatement on the death of Osama Bin Laden in a raid on his compoundby US Special Forces.

Christine Elliott, Secretary for External Relationships, said: "Wecannot rejoice in the death of another, even if that person isregarded by many as a threat. Proverbs 24:17 says 'Do not rejoicewhen your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when theystumble'.

"Osama Bin Laden favoured an ideology that was destructive over theprinciples of basic humanity and mainstream Islam. He tookresponsibility for and celebrated the 3,000 deaths of 9/11 as wellas other atrocities, and his language of intolerance lives on. Somelike to speak of a "War on Terror" but references to war areultimately unhelpful.

"Across the Middle East we are experiencing momentous politicalchange led by ordinary people. A far-reaching tolerance of diversecultures and a search for the peace and well-being of all mustbecome the order of the day. It is imperative that we work forpeace and justice."