Any theology of the cross must include the inherent critique, within the story of Jesus’ death and crucifixion, of the cruelty of humanity. God in the flesh was spat upon, beaten, tortured and murdered by the people he forgave. The story of the cross reveals the depths humanity can sink to and is a reminder that we should never go there again because we could be torturing and killing God.
Christians are people who follow a tortured and murdered God. That speaks much to what our values should be. One of those values should be a rejection of torture, violence in the name of “law” and the common good, and murder.
Currently the U.S. Government has been accused of torture at Guantanamo Bay (Google it) and has refused to ban certain forms of torture (the waterboarding controversy for example).
Christians must oppose this theologically and ethically. As the people whose Lord was tortured we must stand and say it is not acceptable in the eyes of God. Torturing those created in the image of God tarnishes God’s likeness. It is sin and should be described as such. It does not matter who is being tortured or what they have done. The cross of Jesus stands as an eternal critique of such depraved human action.
The peculiar, called out people of God who look to a hill called Golgotha as the turning point of history can not stand idly by as that crime against humanity and divinity is repeated. Christians should be the prophetic voice speaking out against such violations of God’s reflection.
I will forever be encouraged by John McCain, who being 100% behind continuing the war policies of Pres. Bush (another issue altogether), was the only Republican candidate to unconditionally oppose torture during the 2007-8 Republican primaries. He, being a former recipient of torture, understood that it is not acceptable in any circumstance. I wish more Christians would make such a public stand. If you are interested in making such a stand please visit the Evangelicals for Human Rights website. There you will find information about torture and links to petitions to publicly make a stand.
Western war has always distinguished between what is permitted and what is prohibited, between just and criminal means of warfare. The renunciation of perhaps effective but criminal means—killing of innocents, torture, extortion, and so on—was possible on the basis of faith in a just divine rule of the world. War was always something like an appeal to divine judgment to which both sides were willing to bow. Only when Christian faith in God is lost do people feel compelled to make use of all means—even criminal—to force victory of their cause.
–Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ethics
great point. there is no question in my mind after spending 1 1/2 yrs with Iraqi POWs while i was overseas that torture is wrong and STUPID.
as you said, it is wrong as Christians.
and for anyone who wants other reasons….
it doesnt work. i spent ton of time interrogating prisoners. (that was one of my primary jobs) and there is no question, any use of torture would just lead to lies. it is very very common for lies to occur without torture, for a variety of reasons (the culture turns their eyes away from lying as well as other reasons). how much more is someone going to lie to stop the torture. then it is impossible to glean the truth from a lie. making torture pointless.
sure it will work….sometimes. but not reliably.
so once again, what God commands (love your enemies) works better in reality as well.
peter