24 is one of my favorite TV shows. Last night as I was watching, Jack Bauer used torture to gain valuable information. . .as usual. His torture inevitably works and while it is an ugly thing, it seems to always save lives. So, while I’m an being entertained by the program, I’m thinking about the persistent debate in the USA these days: Is it O.K. to torture? Under what criteria should torture be used? How many lives have to hang in the balance for torture to be justified?
I understand the arguments in favor of torture. They make sense. Causing intense pain in one individual with the aim of saving many lives has a certain rationale for sure. At the same time, I am compelled by my conscience and Biblical study to reject it as wrong. Categorically wrong.
I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but here goes the way I think: My utmost commitment in life is to Jesus Christ and I can’t envision him torturing anyone or endorsing it. For me, that pretty much settles it. I don’t defend my position as being right according to a “Cost Benefit Analysis,” but I can not believe that it is right given radical claims of the gospel.
So I don’t really get much out of the debates by experts about whether or not torture is effective, or whether it actually gives more energy to America’s enemies. If it’s wrong to torture a human being, questions of its efficacy are secondary at best.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
To torture or not to torture
Posted by Gordon Dabbs at 1:14 PM
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5 comments:
Gordon,
I spent some time recently examining this question on my blog. Lots of things to think about.
I'm curious about one thing in your post: couldn't the things you say about torture be said about military activity in general? Can you envision Jesus shooting his enemies or encouraging his followers to do the same?
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Yes.
"No" to Jesus shooting folks. ;)
While I generally agree with your conclusions, Gordon, it's important to note that Jesus was not a pacifist. He was against revenge, for sure, but he never decries necessary violence. Some might say that violence is never necessary, but on the contrary, it is only never ideal. The very fact that in ancient times God ordered his people to mercilessly slaughter men, women, children, and all livestock of the peoples of Canaan says that we don't serve a God against necessary violence. However, most of what I would consider "necessary" or am able to justify with my own reasoning is probably unnecessary and we should seek to avoid it at all costs. This definitely includes torture.
"Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving mankind and bringing them nigh to the Law." - Hillel, Mishnah, Avot 1:12.
Would Jesus execute a terrorist who had killed hundreds or thousands of innocents in the OKC bombing or the 9/11 attacks?
I am not sure "States" and individuals are morally bound to the same standards. (Heavy on the "not sure" part).
Joe Ramsey
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