How Do We Respond?

Questions about U.S. policies and practices regarding prisoners of the war on terror have dominated news reports in recent weeks. Both sides of the legislative isle are using this issue to make political hay. As they do, it seems to me, our political leaders play on our worst fears hoping to generate support for the continued interrogation practices that they report have saved us from additional "9/11s." Maybe such practices have and maybe they haven't prevented such terrible acts. I believe, though, that there is a more fundamental question looming for us as Christians.

Regardless of the consequences, is it faithful and/or ethical for us to permit, either explicit or implicit , the use of torture such as waterboarding or stress positions to acquire information from the prisoners held at Guantonomo Bay, in Afghanistan, or at secret prisons around the globe?

My answer to the question is that it is certainly not faithful, at least according to any reading of the Gospel that I can come up with, nor is it ethical. Maybe there isn't a distinction between faithful and ethical. Either way, my faith leads me to say that it is wrong!

As I was wrestling with my thoughts about this topic, I came across a video clip (click on the hightlighted text to watch) from YouTube that goes to this point. The on-screen title places blame on President Bush and the Republican congress. I disagree with limiting responsibility to one party or another. Blame goes to both sides of the aisle just as credit goes to some on both sides of the aisle trying to address this issue. However, I include the link to the clip above because I think it poses a difficult question in a way that thousands of words cannot. (I warn you that the video includes graphic images. I urge caution!)

What would Jesus do? How would Jesus respond? Who would Jesus identify with in the midst of torture?

As I watched the images flash across the screen, it hit me that these scenes are inhuman. The people tortured are robbed of their humanity. Those off camera who do the torturing give up their humanity. I am reminded of Jesus' instruction to love our neighbors with all of our hearts, mind, and strength as well as to "love your enemies." Jesus teaches such a path because he desires to see realized God's vision of reconciliation among all creatures and nature with God, themselves, and one another. When we love our neighbors and our enemies, then we are pursuing that path of reconciliation. When we act to destroy others through these acts of torture, we deny that they are human, we deny they are created in the image of God, we deny that God desires to be reconciled to them. As we do these things, we also deny that we are human, created in the image of God, and that God desires and acts to reconcile us to Godself. We reach for power that is not ours to have. When we permit such torture, either implicitly or explicitly, then we sin. Our relationship with God and our fellow creatures and nature is breached and yearns to be redeemed.

So what do we do in the face of such circumstances? We repent. We turn around and go in another direction - a direction back towards God's desire for reconciliation. We repent, not just feeling sorrow or guilt in such moments, but by taking action and saying no we will not stand by and let such things happen to our neighbor or even our enemies. Then we have begun to follow Christ's instructions.