A vote to expose torture
By Jonathan Barton
It has been more than a decade since the 9/11 attacks and a year since the death of Osama bin Laden, the impact of which has changed each of us. During this time, we have adjusted to new security procedures, become more vigilant about our surroundings and have allowed our fear to inure us to the use of torture — believing somehow that this is a necessary evil required to secure our safety.
We often rationalize that our use of violence to combat violence is somehow redemptive and justified as long as it is we who are doing it; after all, we are the good guys. We need to be careful lest we become the evil that we so righteously deplore. The law says that torture is illegal; the military says that it does not work; and our religious traditions tell us that it is wrong.
Torture is illegal without exception.
Barton is general minister of the Virginia Council of Churches.
September 30, 2012 - 7:58 AM
Neither this nation nor our standing in the world will bear such a release IMO. There is no real question. I do not want to see the details that I know will not improve my position. Even among those who stand with you on your opinion of torture, denial is a better place to be.
No good can come of it, and neither would the knowledge stop it.
Sandy, please remember that as American citizens, we are called to expose injustice. This torture was done for us, in our names. Just to turn my head, closing my eyes and my ears, doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen to another human being.
We must speak out against torture.