Christians and Gitmo

A fascinating article was published today by RelevantMagazine.com entitled "Are Christians Wrong about Gitmo?" The article was authored by Natalie and Tyler Wigg-Stevenson and cites two fascinating polls. The first was conducted by Mercer University in 2008 and concludes that a majority of white Southern Evangelicals thought that it was "often" or "sometimes" justified to torture suspected terrorists and that their faith had little to do with how they reached that conclusion. The second was conducted by Pew Research Center and concludes that a majority of respondents who claim no religious affiliation opposed torture. (Looks like the compassion award goes to the non-Christians yet again.)

The Relevant article, however, pushes beyond the rich ironies of these polls to make some strong claims. "The fundamental problem with Guantanamo, from a Christian perspective, is that it is a place outside the law," Natalie and Tyler write, claiming that Gitmo is inconsistent with the Bible's teachings on justice, law, authority, and judgment.

The point is made eloquently, but what is the solution? It begins with a reaffirmation of the values we hold dearly. "We owe it to our country, our church, and most of all to our God to state with courage and conviction that morality and justice are not luxuries—they are essentials," they say. "We believe these things not because they are easy or even self-evident, but because we are among those for whom 'Christian teachings or beliefs' form the foundation of everything we think, say and do."

I have often stated my opposition to torture, and I have done so without reservation. I think Gitmo is a blemish on America, and should be closed. I am, however, open to other opinions. What do you think about Gitmo/torture/this article?

Christians and Torture

I will never forget the way I felt while watching a Fox News snippet of Pat Robertson calling for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on the Christian Broadcast Network's The 700 Club. "We have the ability to take [Chavez] out," Robertson told his nearly ancient viewership with a scowling contortion. "And I think the time has come that we exercise that ability." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I mean, I'm not the President of the Hugo Chavez Fan Club or anything, but I'm not calling for a navy seal to put a bullet in his head either.

I couldn't understand why one of the most vocal Christians in America would call for the United States to breach international law to murder an international head of state. Not only is it a crystal clear violation of Romans 13, it flies in the face of compassion, love, self-control, gentleness, meekness and other peaceful principles replete in scripture.

Fortunately, most Christians I know think Robertson was completely off his rocker. (What else is new?) Yet, I have also heard many self-professing Christians make comments about terrorists that express similar attributes. They comment that if we catch someone with known terrorist ties, we should "use any means necessary to get the information out of them," which is a nice way to say, "Let's torture them."

Somehow, I find being pro-torture difficult to reconcile with the teachings of scripture, much less the ministry of Jesus Christ. Think about it. Jesus came to earth during a time when his part of the world was under the thumb of a notorious terrorist: Herod. Just like Bin Laden has injured all of us, Jesus had been severely affected by the terrorism of King Herod. It was likely Herod (or a member of his immediate family) who personally ordered the death of unknown numbers of children in an effort to kill the Christ-child. If that wasn't enough, Herod ordered the execution of Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. Yet, there is no record of Jesus ever speaking any malice whatsoever about this terrorist or any other. He wouldn't even open his mouth to save His own life and send the murderer Barabbas to a deserved crucifixion. I think this is significant, and simply adds to the many reasons that Christians must maintain a strong anti-torture position.

The actions that have taken place in the dark recesses of Gitmo and elsewhere are repulsive and should have every American who bears the name of Christ incensed. I certainly can't imagine "gentle Jesus, meek and mild" supporting cutting a terror suspect with scissors, much less urinating on them, trampling them, or throwing them into a bucket of excrement. Certainly this is not what justice looks like. Yet, these atrocities and more have occurred under American watch, if not order, and are delineated in detail in a recent Commonweal Magazine article,"The Secret Weapon: Religious Abuse in 'The War on Terror.'"

Where are the Christian voices on this? Where is the outcry? I encourage you to read this article and give it some serious reflection. When it comes to assassinations and torture, I don't care what Pat Robertson or any other "Christian" commentator thinks; I am certain Jesus is appalled.

What are your thoughts?