Christians, other torture opponents call for commission to investigate

[Crabtownboy]

WASHINGTON (ABP) -- A coalition of religious leaders who oppose the United States’ use of torture in the fight against terrorism called March 3 for a “truth commission” to investigate government policy and allegations of inhumane actions against terrorism detainees under the previous administration.

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture released the statement, signed by 23 prominent religious leaders from a wide variety of faith traditions, on the eve of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings scheduled to delve into the subject.

"We call for an impartial, nonpartisan, and independent Commission of Inquiry,” the statement said. “Its purpose should be to gather all the facts and make recommendations. It should ascertain the extent to which our interrogation practices have constituted torture and ‘cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.’ Understanding the causes, nature and scope of U.S.-sponsored torture is essential for preventing it in the future and eliminating it from our system without loopholes. U.S. law will determine the extent of any criminal culpability.”

It continued: “As people of faith, we know that brokenness can be healed -- both in individual lives and in the life of the nation. All religions believe that redemption is possible. Learning the truth can set us on a path toward national healing and renewal.”

Baptist signers of the statement were Stan Hastey, minister for mission and ecumenism at the Alliance of Baptists; and David Gushee, president of Evangelicals for Human Rights and professor of Christian ethics at Mercer University in Atlanta. Gushee also writes a weekly column for Associated Baptist Press.

The call came a day after Justice Department officials released nine previously classified memoranda, produced by lawyers for President Bush, outlining sweeping presidential powers to circumvent legal constraints established by Congress on interrogation techniques and other aspects of detainee treatment.

Bush’s White House claimed the authority described in the memos in response to the post-9/11 terrorism threat. Some torture opponents and civil libertarians have said the powers claimed by the memos went even further than they thought Bush’s administration had.

Several similar memos are believed also to exist, but remain classified.

http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3898&Itemid=53

 

[Matt Black]

:thumbs: Good to see Christians standing up for justice in the US!

 

[Revmitchell]

They will have to investigate the current admin as he reserves the right to use the same methods.

 

[Matt Black]

So be it. I don't have a problem with that. And while they're at it they can investigate our government's involvement.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

But the democrat involvement means there won't be any investigation. Christians wouldn't let one side off the hook, and demand justice for the other side.

 

[sag38]

Did you notice the people who signed this document and the organizations represented? It speaks volumes as to the nature and intent of these "Chrisitians."

 

[Mexdeaf]

I guess we can all relax now because surely those nice Muslim people would not torture us just because we follow Jesus, would they??

 

[billwald]

Christians should be governed by Muslim morality?

 

[Matt Black]

Yep, let's stoop to the level of our enemies

 

[Palatka51]

Is sleep deprivation torture? Is water boarding (that makes you feel like you are drowning) torture?

To me, Torture is the dentist chair especially if you are not numb yet.

Torture is achieved when you leave the victim maimed and crippled. Putting a person under pressure to get information is not in and of itself torture.

Now if I were king of the world and I was the one to have to deal with these Muslim types, I would be giving them the Gospel message 24/7. Once conversion was seen, the new convert would have repented of his false religion and spill his/her guts (open his/her heart) and confess all that was happening or about to happen. That is if I were king.

 

[Mexdeaf]

Yep, let's stoop to the level of our enemies

No, let's level the 'playing field'. An "eye for an eye", and all that.

 

[Matt Black]

"You have heard it said....but I say unto you" - remind me, who said that? Oh, yeah, the guy we're meant to be following...

 

[Mexdeaf]

"You have heard it said....but I say unto you" - remind me, who said that? Oh, yeah, the guy we're meant to be following...

Yup, the same guy who said, "I came not to bring peace but a sword..."

:wavey::jesus:

 

[Matt Black]

Yes, He really went around using that 'literal' sword during His earthly ministry, didn't He? I have a sword in my bedside drawer. It's called the Holy Bible, and none of the Gospel accounts therein have the Story of Jesus Running People Through with a Sword.