Christians must oppose torture
Daily Record, York, PA

Sunday, December 19, 2004

I want no torture done in my name. I oppose the use of torture of any kind, for any reason. My definition of torture is this: If an action were being done to you and you would call it torture, then it’s torture when done to anyone else. We have ample evidence that our government is torturing people — at Guantanamo, at Abu Ghraib, and God only knows where else. I am distressed that this torture is being done in my name, by my government, with my tax money. Are our leaders so morally bankrupt that they think they can justify such obscenities? Does the end ever justify immoral means? I believe our leaders should be held to the highest moral standards, not sink to the lowest. Mr. Bush’s nomination of Alberto Gonzales as attorney general is chilling, since Gonzales wrote the memos for the administration rationalizing the use of torture in this ill-fated “war on terror.”

I believe the use of torture by the United States is a moral crisis. Because I love my country, I must speak out against this horror. Because I am a Christian, I must speak out against this horror. I want no part of such a shameful national policy. I call on my representatives in Congress to stop all torture, and insist that basic human rights and Geneva Conventions rules be guaranteed for all people, including prisoners. I want no torture done in my name.

PAT LONG
WEST MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP