Osama Bin Laden and the Terror of Narcissism
— Monday, May 9th, 2011 —
Osama Bin Laden was wicked. Osama Bin Laden was feared. He was also, it turns out, kind of pathetic. Among the items American forces pulled out of the terrorist leader’s compound last week are videos of Bin Laden, wrapped in a blanket, watching himself on television. As ABCNews reports, the warlord is seen to be “a vain pathetic old man.” When I read this in the New York Times, I immediately thought of 1990s song “Mr. Jones” by the band Counting Crows: “When I look at the television, I want to see me staring right back at me.”
And what the old fox wanted to see was not just himself, but a younger version. American forces confirm that Bin Laden was dying his beard, to manage his image in order to appear more vibrant to his supporters around the world.
We shouldn’t really be surprised. The nature of evil, ultimately, is narcissism. And the end result of our narcissism is always evil. Sometimes that evil shows up in preening and boasting. Other times it shows up in the ease with which one takes offense. Sometimes that offense even morphs into a crusade or a jihad, around the world or in your office cubicle or church foyer.
Essayist David Brooks, picking up on contemporary psychological models for clinical narcissism, has noted that for the narcissist the self-image is “the holy center of all that is sacred and right.” This affects then how the narcissist receives criticism and personal offense.
“If someone treats him slightingly, he perceives that as a deliberate and heinous attack,” Brooks writes. “If someone threatens his reputation, he regards this as an act of blasphemy.”
Blasphemy is precisely the right word. The reason the offense, whether it is American troops in Saudi Arabia or the boss’ forgetting to invite you to the Christmas party, becomes so all-consuming for some is because it is an attack on one’s god and on one’s kingdom, the self-image.
Just last week, a fellow Christian told me of a tirade he’d heard from a co-worker, who was in a rage against his employers. The complaint was a litany of entitlement. This guy wasn’t honored enough, no one recognized his true genius, and so on. My first reaction was to think, “How sad. What on earth does this guy have to preen about?” In truth, though, what do any of us mortal sinners have to preen about? What do we have, as Paul asked, that we did not receive?
Osama Bin Laden’s dyed beard is blown half-off his skull. His body is submerged somewhere in the sea. And he is awaiting his turn at the Judgment Seat of the One he never expected to see. Most of us, thank God, will never approach the wickedness he unleashed on the world. But all of us will wrestle with the same root pathology. That’s because, left to ourselves, we all share the same religion as Osama Bin Laden. It isn’t Islam; it’s self-worship.
For those who are in Christ, there’s a more excellent way. As we worship God instead of self, we will find that the love of Christ is “not easily angered” but instead “keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13:5). As the Spirit wrenches us away from our temple of self, and builds us into a living stone in the Temple of Christ, we will find a new way of life, a way that calls us out of our petty offenses, away from our dime-store jihads.
15 Responses to “Osama Bin Laden and the Terror of Narcissism”
Trackbacks
- Russell Moore on the death of Osama Bin Laden | Unsettled Christianity
- List of What Church Leaders Are Saying About Osama bin Laden’s Death « Church Leaders Read
- Worth a Look 5.10.11 : Kingdom People
- Contrasts « Suitable For Mixed Company
- Sharing the Same Religion as Osama Bin Laden « writing these things
- Osama, us, and the terror of narcissism « Strengthened by Grace
Learn how to “die to self” and win… everytime. Thank you Jesus for saving us from ourselves!
So very true. “Left to ourselves, we all share that same religion…” And even with Christ, that old religion tries to draw us back into it and succeeds more than we like to admit.
I struggle with this lately. I have been thinking that we are like Osama. I often get irritated when I feel my rights are not recognized by others. I can get crabby. And hurtful. But I wonder….are we just like that in our personal relationships? Or are we even like Osama not just as individuals, but as a group of Christ-followers? I sometimes feel like we hold to the idea that we have such rights that we should be excused when we hurt (kill) others to protect ourselves. I often find myself thinking that Jesus doesn’t really mean we have to love *those* enemies….because, of course, Jesus would want us to have the freedom to worship Him….and yet, I struggle then with what it means to really follow His way of peace and love, of forgiveness in the very face of violence. How do we follow Jesus’ lead in *all* ways? When he tells us to carry our cross, I often wonder, does He mean we should lay down our guns to do so? So many of us thanked God (myself included) for Osama’s death, and yet I wonder, did Jesus mean love our enemies, (except Bin Laden or any other person who threatens your “rights” in any way)?
Self worship is truly dangerous! Thank you.
As always, you offer a unique perspective and insight Dr. Moore.
I completely agree with your assessment that equates narcissism with idolatry. I suspect that we all feel more important than we are and think too highly of ourselves in light of the gospel and the truth of Christ. My good deeds are but filthy rags and perhaps if I kept this in the forefront of my mind, I may sustain a state of humility that would guard me from the temptation of practicing narcissism. If I did this, however, then I would be resting in my deeds and not in Christ. It is Christ that can ground us from this sin that will devour us if we are left to our natural condition.
Being out of the the truth, unfortunately, Bin Laden would never have come to this realization outside of being saved by grace. Although he is without excuse in his rejection of Yahweh, his faith in Islam teaches that he has to be narcissistic. His faith in Islam teaches that he will reach heaven through his good deeds. Believing he had to rest in his good deeds, Bin Laden was desperately trying to do a good job by maintaining his appearance - because his life depended on it!
Perhaps narcissism is the appeal all of the other religions have over Christianity for those who reject the truth. They appeal to the narcissistic nature that we all have. We would all love to be able to take credit for our salvation. We are told since we are old enough to walk that we can do anything we set our mind on. Talk about creating the foundation for self-worship.
Out of humility and in Christ,
W.
Very true, thanks for point this out and articulating it so well.
Consider the definition of evil by the psychiatrist M. Scott Peck in his book “People of the Lie” (1984): “To destroy life or liveliness in defense of a self-image of perfection.” That captures the concept of malignant narcissism in a nutshell. Unable to admit their own sin (necessary to receive God’s forgiveness), the evil hide in self-deception. They pretend to be perfect, which to them means appearing perfect, and project their inner imperfection/wickedness on scapegoats. And they have no empathy. Others are evil, to be be eliminated like weeds from a garden, so the world can be a paradise. Osama bin Laden play-acted the prophet, wearing robes of righteousness while his minions murdered, then watched his cruel image on video. But bin Laden was doubly deceived. He in fact served a disguised Satan — now his jailor in eternal damnation.
Love this. So true.
Oh, oh, but I forgot: We should all feel so terrible and guilty for being glad that Osama Bin Laden is dead.
Well-written post. Bin Laden’s is such a sad and bitter story. What a destruction he wreaked on himself and on so many across the world! I am so glad there is a God.