"Where do American religious leaders stand on torture?" asks Ray McGovern.

[G_j]

Tuesday 27 September 2005

Ray McGovern | Torturous Silence on Torture

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/092705I.shtml

Where do American religious leaders stand on torture? Their deafening silence evokes memories of the unconscionable behavior of German church leaders in the 1930s and early 1940s.

Despite the hate whipped up by administration propagandists against those it brands "terrorists," most Americans agree that torture should not be permitted. Few seem aware, though, that although President George W. Bush says he is against torture, he has openly declared that our military and other interrogators may engage in torture "consistent with military necessity."

For far too long we have been acting like "obedient Germans." Shall we continue to avert our eyes - even as our mainstream media begin to expose the "routine" torture conducted by US forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantánamo?

..more..

[obxhead]

1. if it involves little boys it A-OK.

[bryant69]

2. That certainly adds a lot to the discussion.

Thank you for your deep and meaningful contribution.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[sui generis]

3. I think it's because they have convinced themselves

it's not really torture - just intense questioning.

I don't believe, for the most part, that they are as informed as we are, as a rule.

If you want to make a difference, ask one yourself. Bring pictures, articles, testimony. Ask hard questions. Ask them to make a statement.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Good question, sir

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[madrchsod]

5. they don`t care.

the history of the semites show that their god smites his enemies and all that mumbo -jumbo and so it`s no big concern to the fundy "christian" leaders. from what i have read the more lefty churches do have big problems with bush and his rule but they do not control the airwaves so we never hear their voices

[indepat]

6. They stand on torture with their heads in the sand: look the other way,

play like it never happened or it's what Jesus would do.

[Karenina]

7. Good question, Ray! Call 'em out!

:kick:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

8. we know how they stand on murder/assassinations ask Pat Robertson

[RethugAssKicker]

9. They're the most immoral bunch of crackpts around!

What F*** difference does it make what those devils believe?

[MindPilot]

10. ummm, where they can get a good view.

Remember a fundamental tenet of Christianity is suffering. They prefer it be other people's but generally speaking the more someone suffers the closer their soul is to jeebuz.

That's why they like to force rape victims to have children, withhold pain relieving medications and keep the terminally ill in prolonged agonizing deaths.

[Lars39]

12. I'm going to go out on a limb here

and speculate that Mel's Passion of Christ did what it was supposed to
do: reinforce the concept that pain, suffering and even torture is not
just acceptable, but a "blessing" to be so "honored".

How are you going to convince a fundy that torturing an enemy is
wrong after they've sat thru 3 hours of watching their lord and savior
being tortured, and being told that this was a good thing?

[MindPilot]

13. You're absolutely correct

Christianity is the only religion that has a barbaric torture & execution device as its symbol.

I'll bet if I put a gallows as my avatar, it would come down pretty darn quick.

[Zenlitened]

11. Emotional torture of gay and lesbian Americans is A-OK with many.

So I guess they're just fine with physical torture of 'ferners' too?

:shrug: