Wrapped up, Tied up, Tangled up in Torture
Photo Credit: Garling Gauge.Com
I was troubled over the weekend when I came across one of the latest survey findings furnished by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, a nonpartisan clearinghouse and “fact tank” focusing on issues of religion, politics, policy, and world affairs. It has to do with the issue of torture. Their research suggested that frequent churchgoers are more likely to support torture of suspected terrorists. I repeat – those who attend church more are more likely to justify torture!
I find this to be a truly alarming find – that those who embrace the Prince of Peace, would have an appetite for this kind of barbaric engagement of another human being. Though I’m “meeting” (by way of their literature) a number of progressive White Evangelicals who are attempting to embrace a fuller and more balanced agenda, the survey showed that this group had the strongest support for torture.
Sometimes I am amazed at the level of disconnect between what Christians read in the Bible and what they embrace in their daily lives. As I look at pictures like the one above of those who have been tortured at Guantanamo Bay and secret CIA prisons around the world; I can’t help but see the image of the cross which drives my mind back to Jesus – that suspected terrorist who refused to provide actionable intelligence about his movement and was executed in humiliating fashion by the Roman State.
Can you see the cross in the picture above?
Am I suggesting that those at Guantanamo Bay are akin to Jesus in every way? No, I can’t say that. But I can say that it would probably be disturbing to Jesus that those who claim His Name today are likely to have a cozy, comfortable, and uncritical relationship with the World’s Domination System. The gospels unilaterally record that Jesus had a contentious relationship with the Domination System of His context – sometimes downright confrontational. It would appear that as we take up our cross and follow Him along The Way; that we too – like many (if not most) of His immediate followers would face real persecution from the Domination System of our context. Sadly, however, it appears we have been lulled to sleep by the luxuries of the Empire. As long as our cages are comfortable, we’ll not rattle them.
I agree with Marcus Borg as he writes in one of his more recent books, Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary; that Believers today need to undergo a major “Re-socialization Program” as the lenses by which we engage this revolutionary gospel have been hijacked and domesticated by the Domination System. (Much like it was when the Roman Emperor, Constantine I, issued the Edict of Milan which removed penalties for being Christian within the Empire and especially when Theodosius I made Christianity the official religion of the State in 380 A.D.)
I applaud those who have been regularly gathering at the White House to demand the closure of Guantanamo Bay and an end to torture. I also thank God for those Believers who attended this years Christian Peace Witness – different kinds of Christians than the ones who were polled by the Pew Forum – who once again endured the rain with others of various Faiths to remind the President and the Nation that peace is not just good policy – it’s a Divine Imperative.
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Just like in the days of Jesus many are missing the Kingdom because of what is going on in the World around them. Truth be told most people, including church goers, are motivated by fear. If a person feels as though their safety and that of their family is threatened they will do whatever they feel necessary to keep them safe. The same thing is true with the " World Domination System" if they believe that torture will ultimately lead to protecting their interest and keeping their constituency safe then it is justified.
Christians should be motivated by Love. I John 1:18 says " There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment (i.e. torture). The one who fears is not made perfect in love." Our challenge as Christians, followers of the way, is to be perfected, to be made complete in the love of Christ. When this is our reality than the things we tolerate won't be so tolerable. Then we can take up our cross and follow him!
Interesting article – a 4th Grader asked former Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice about torture.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090504/ap_on_re_us/u...
Truth be told most people, including church goers, are motivated by fear. If a person feels as though their safety and that of their family is threatened they will do whatever they feel necessary to keep them safe. The same thing is true with the " World Domination System" if they believe that torture will ultimately lead to protecting their interest and keeping their constituency safe then it is justified.
THE FEAR FACTOR! Recent qoute from Condoleezza Rice
"I hope you understand that it was a very difficult time. We were all so terrified of another attack on the country," she said. "Even under those most difficult circumstances, the president was not prepared to do something illegal, and I hope people understand that we were trying to protect the country."