A Christian's Response to Torture

Christians often live in conflict with the world around us. At this present time this conflict is clear when it comes to the question of torture. Some in authority around us would have us believe that torture is an acceptable means for gathering information, especially when that information is held by someone labeled a terrorist. However I believe that as Christians we are bound not to accept that argument.

In the following paper I will look at the reasons I believe that Christians should not support torture.

Humans Made in God's Image.

In Genesis 1:27 we are told that human beings are made in God's image. We are, according to the Genesis story, the special creation of a loving God, further in Genesis 9:6 this principle is extended (by implication) to all human beings. Christians have always considered that God has endowed us with certain inalienable rights and that God shows us the value of humanity, firstly, in creating us and, secondly, in becoming one of us in the Incarnation.

Because a human being is of infinite worth to God we cannot disfigure, torment or harm another person also made in God's image and also of infinite worth; to do so is to disfigure the handiwork of God.

Do not vex the Stranger in your midst.

Time after time the Old Testament reminds us that God has a compassionate concern for the vulnerable in our midst, the widow, the orphan, the stranger, all of these are recipient's of God's special interest. God condemns any form of injustice that further marginalizes these already hurting folk who are at the mercy of the society around them.

We are called to recall our own vulnerability and to remember that we too were once strangers in a strange land, lacking support and seeking justice rather than injustice and oppression. (Ex 22:21; Ex 23:9; Lev. 19:33 & 34; Deut. 10:18-19.)

All human life is God's gift.

We are reminded in Psalm 139:13; Psalm 22:10 and Jeremiah 1:5 that all human beings are formed in the loving concern of God. All those who live and move and have their being do so in the grace and compassion of God. When we deliberately damage them, as we do in torture, we mar and afflict the plan of God for these folk; we sin against them and against God who brought them forth from the womb alive.

Further torture fails the test of the Great Commandment to love others as we love ourselves and is condemned in Matthew 25: 31 ff., where Jesus quite clearly says that when we hurt, afflict and torture someone we are doing it to him. Again, torture is a breach of 1 Corinthians 13 and a profound failure of morals.

Moreover torture does not just warp the tortured but also the torturer, in ordering the torture of a human being we are responsible not just for damage done to the victim but also to the person who is our tool in carrying out the torture.

We turn, by accepting torture, ordinary human beings into sadists and potential murderers for information that most often is given solely to stop the pain being inflicted. As well torture inevitably affects the moral standing of the society and nation which allows it. Once begun it is difficult to stop, one used on 'terrorists' from outside of a society, it is hard not to use it on dissenters within the society.

In summary then, torture demeans and damages humans who were purposed by God, who are loved by God and for whom Christ lived and died. It is a breaking of both Old and New Testament commandments and a damage to the moral structure of both individual human beings and the society that uses and enables it. For these reasons I do not believe that a Christian can ever support torture.