9/11, Righteous Indignation, and the Trouble with Human Nature
I still remember that morning clearly. I had just come home from a long ER night shift and collapsed into bed. Around nine, Edith shook me awake—wide‑eyed, shaken, and insisting I look at the TV. Half asleep, I stumbled out just in time to watch the World Trade Center burn… and then fall. Like millions of Americans, I remember exactly where I was when the world seemed to stop. As an emergency physician, I had seen tragedy. But this was tragedy on a scale that felt impossible to absorb.
When Anger Makes Us Forget Our Better Selves
The nineteen hijackers were extremists acting in the name of Al‑Qaeda. In eyes that was righteous indignation. But extremists never represent an entire faith. More than a billion Muslims were not responsible for the actions of nineteen men. The Quran itself forbids suicide and condemns killing innocents. Like extremists in every religion, they twisted sacred words into weapons—something humans have been doing for centuries.
And before Christians start pointing fingers, history politely coughs and says, “Crusades, anyone?” We are excellent historians when discussing other people’s sins. Our own? Suddenly we develop amnesia.
When Religion Gets Too Close to Power
Early Christianity was known for nonviolence. But once church and empire became cozy, things changed. Augustine’s Just War theory was meant to limit violence. Human nature, however, loves loopholes. “Only as a last resort” slowly becomes “Well… this is definitely an exception.” And before long, God conveniently agrees with whatever we already wanted to do.
Funny how that works.
Lessons from the Crusades and the Inquisition
Both were born from the belief that protecting faith justified force. Good intentions mixed with political power produced coercion, punishment, and abuses. The uncomfortable truth: even sincere people can become dangerous when they believe they have a monopoly on God.
The Line Between Good and Evil
It doesn’t run between “us” and “them.” It runs through every human heart.
9/11 showed us humanity’s capacity for evil—but also its capacity for extraordinary courage. Firefighters ran into burning towers. Strangers helped strangers. People gave blood, opened homes, and held one another up. Evil was powerful that day, but goodness was powerful too.
Five Lessons Worth Remembering
Human beings can do great evil—and that should make us humble, not superior.
Jesus calls us to break the cycle of hatred, even when justice is necessary.
In the middle of darkness, people can show astonishing goodness.
Life can change in a moment, so love should never be postponed.
Evil does not get the final word. The Christian story ends with hope.
A Little Less Righteous Indignation
History warns us that once we believe God is always on our side, we may be standing close to repeating old mistakes. The world needs less certainty, less hatred, and more humility. More compassion. More willingness to ask whether we are truly on God’s side—not whether God is on ours.
So yes, we must oppose terrorism, seek justice, and honor the victims and heroes of 9/11. But we must also guard our hearts. Because the moment someone else’s hatred creates hatred inside us, we lose something precious. Let us not use “righteous indignation” to justify violence.
In the end, the greatest victory over hatred may simply be this: Remember the victims. Honor the heroes. Reject evil. Seek justice. And still keep your heart capable of love.
An eye for an eye: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38–39).
Love your enemies: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43–44).
