Whatever we feel about subject of torture, it isn't good. It's downright grief inducing. The Senate Intelligence Committee report has been released, and it feels to me like a good confession. You can read it on the site of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture-- NRCAT .
Confession is the act of saying out loud something that needs to be said, of telling the truth about something that was formerly hidden. It's the way of releasing a burden into God's purview.
We can't deny that 'enhanced interrogation techniques' were violent and degrading. We can attempt to justify them, but all such justification feels sordid. We can't pretend that such behavior doesn't matter, no matter who the perpetrators are. Retaliatory motives lurk behind most of the violence in our world. Confession--telling the truth, in so far as it is able to be known--is a good first step toward healing the world of violence. An old hymn says "Jesus calls us over the tumult Of our life’s wild, restless, sea; Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, Saying, “Christian, follow Me!”
The final verse is the prayer "By Thy mercies, Savior may we hear Thy call, Give our hearts to Thine obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all." Would that such obedience drive away all violence and fear and transform us--a prayer, not just a wish--for the world.
 |
| Weeping Angel, Stanford University |
