Where Does Jesus Stand On the Use of Torture?
Of all the ridiculous pronouncements of misguided people claiming to speak for all real, Bible-believing Christians, none is more offensive to me than the statements of Christian leaders such as James Dobson in support of the use of torture in the interrogation of suspects in the war on terror. We ministers decry the loss of moral absolutes in our culture and condemn the amoral situational ethics that pervade our society. But when push comes to shove, we play the hypocrite. If torture works and gets us the information we need, than we're all for it. What kind of theological gymnastics allows any thinking person to confuse the ethics of Christ with such barbarism, whether sanctioned by the state or not? Gee, if waterboarding doesn't work anymore, maybe we could crucify a few. That would do it.God, forgive us, your confused and worldly people.
Comments
I guess it begs the question though... what do we consider torture?
I'm against torture for moral and pragmatic reasons.
I am somewhat on the fence about waterboarding only because no actual physical harm is done, but I'm also not going to advocate for it either.
Is sleep deprivation torture? If so I was tortured during Basic Training. I think we need to be care as to what gets labeled torture.
These are difficult verses to misinterpret or explain away, yet many try to do just that:
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 someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
I believe torture is wrong, in any form. And the public should be informed but I tend to think revealing this info is not constructive at all. I think it just provokes more hatred. And just because the 'other guy' is doing it, does not make it right.