Torture and the Gospel

In Acts (5:17-26) the angel told the miraculously released prisoners to go to the Temple and tell the people about this life. The reference is probably to the Christian life-the life of the followers of the nascent Jesus Movement. It could also reflect an emphasis on this life-life in the world.

John (3:16ff) speaks about eternal life. Eternal life is real life, true life. It is not something that will come. Eternal life is life lived in God, in the true self at the very depths of our being. The true self lives according to Gospel principles in season and out of season. It is opposed to life in the false self which is all about what makes us feel good, what makes us feel safe. As disciples, we can live eternal life in our true selves now because God so loved the world that he sent Jesus to teach us how to live eternal life. Unfortunately, many have not seen the light:

And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Yes, light has come into the world and we must live according to the light of the Gospel. Our life as disciples is not separate from our lives as citizens. I got one of those senseless chain emails yesterday urging me to stamp “In God we trust” on all my mail so we can take back the country from those who would tear it down.” I have now destroyed the country because I refuse to disseminate such pablum.

I have a better way to take back our country. As disciples, we are to call people in government to task when they violate Gospel principles. Their works-torture-were evil and they do not want the light of the Gospel to shine upon their deeds. They prefer the sinister darkness where they can control, manipulate, exploit and kill, if necessary, in order  to achieve their questionable goals. The current expose and debate about the torture techniques used by the Bush administration is a case at point.

Here is what I posted on a Wall Street Journal blog responding to an editorial which attempts to justify what has been done:

“Your article assumes, contrary to professional opinion, that the TORTURE techniques used actually gleaned any real intelligence. It will be interesting to connect the dots when the reports you request are released. Having lawyers change the definition of torture, as you do in your article, does not justify its use.

Your analysis, attempting to build a case to justify the use of torture, ignores the larger question–morality. Cheney, who would be better advised to button up, seems to be saying that the end justify the means. Gandhi reminded us that we can never use immoral means to attain a moral good. You reap what you sow.  An acorn will never become a palm tree! Likewise, the context (9/11 aftermath) does not justify the methods used.

Regardless of your arguments, the moral leadership of the United States has been damaged and we need to take the high ground on not using torture to restore it. We need to repent, punish those who manipulated definitions and corrupted our moral fiber, and move on to higher ground.”

As nonviolent disciples of Jesus we must expect our leaders to understand that violence only produces more violence.

One final note-Obama has been criticized for shaking hands with the Chavez, the Venezuelan president. He is being criticized for being civil to another human being. In reality, he is living Gospel values-Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. The original purpose of a handshake was to show that you did not have any weapons which could hurt the person you are greeting. Rather than endangering our national security this simple human act welcomed the other as brother. This is the way of nonviolence-building mutual understanding through openness and hopefully dialogue about the issues that separate us.

We see Gospel values everyday or, at least, the opportunity to exhibit Gospel values. Our task as Christians is to bring the light of the Gospel to bear on the way we conduct ourselves in the world of geopolitics. We live in the person, power and presence of the Risen Jesus who will send forth the Spirit at Pentecost to renew the face of the earth. We are light in the darkness.

Your article assumes, contrary to professional opinion, that the TORTURE techniques used actually gleaned any real intelligence. It will be interesting to connect the dots when the reports you request are released. Having lawyers change the definition of torture, as you do in your article, does not justify its use.

Your analysis, attempting to build a case to justify the use of torture, ignores the larger question–morality. Cheney, who would be better advised to button up, seems to be saying that the end justify the means. Gandhi reminded us that we can never use immoral means to attain a moral good. You reap what you sow. An acorn will never become a palm tree! Likewise, the context (9/11 aftermath) does not justify the methods used.

Regardless of your arguments, the moral leadership of the United States has been damaged and we need to take the high ground on not using torture to restore it. We need to repent, punish those who manipulated definitions and corrupted our moral fiber, and move on to higher ground.

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