Most Americans Now Believe It's Wrong to Celebrate Osama's Death

When we questioned the wisdom of the nationwide parties following Osama bin Laden's killing two weeks ago, some readers called us "absurd," "insulting," and "disgraceful." Today, however, it looks as if the drunken revelers are in the minority.

According to a survey released yesterday by the Public Religion Research Institute, a little more than six in 10 Americans believe "it is wrong to celebrate the death of another human being, no matter how bad that person was." The survey also found that the vast majority of Americans—82 percent—think Bin Laden corrupted the teachings of Islam to serve his own purposes, lending credence to the argument that, despite appearances sometimes, most people can be altogether rational.

---

Of course, the people's forgiveness only extends so far. While most Americans won't dance on Osama's grave, 65 percent of them agree that the terrorist leader will be "eternally punished for his sins in hell."

photo via Flickr user theqspeaks