Christian van Gorder is an associate professor of religion at Baylor University who teaches world religions. He is the author of multiple books, including Islam, Peace, and Social Justice and (as co-author) Jews and Christians Together: An Invitation to Mutual Respect.

The Jewish news service JTA considers initial reactions of Jewish faith leaders to the death of Osama bin Laden.

A contributor at Vox Nova, a Catholic group blog, writes that killing someone “will never be an act of justice … but rather, brings further loss onto the world.”

Joe Carter, web editor for First Things, urges Christians to temper any relief at bin Laden’s death with humility and the understanding that those who commit evil acts are “fallen, sacred yet degraded,” human beings.

David Brody, chief political correspondent for CBN News, criticized Obama’s somber tone in announcing the death. “How about showing a little joy?” wrote Brody, suggesting that the president was overly concerned about Arab reaction.

Read a blog post at America magazine, the Jesuit weekly, titled “What is the Christian Response to Bin Laden’s Death?” It is written by the Rev. James Martin and argues that “as a Christian … I cannot rejoice at the death of a human being, no matter how monstrous he was.”

Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, cautions against celebratory reactions to Osama bin Laden’s death and says bin Laden did not have an earthly court trial but won’t escape God’s judgment. Mohler also describes the raid as fully acceptable under just-war theory.

Christianity Today has a blog post titled “How Should Christians Respond to Osama bin Laden’s Death?” It rounds up some initial reactions to bin Laden’s 2011 killing.

A CNN poll published May 3, 2011, shows that 61 percent of Americans believe that bin Laden is in hell, with one in 10 saying no and nearly a quarter unsure.