Today, the Senate passed bill S 3930.
One of the great slogans of the Religious Right and the Republican Party has been fostering a “culture of life”. They claim that America’s morality has spiraled out of control — that America supports policies that deny human life. However, in the passing of this bill, this farce of a statement becomes even more ridiculous.
The Senate bill, while certainly making some inroads into providing an open, decent process for prosecuting alleged terrorists and “enemy combatants”, provides a safety net for torture. Certainly, I support defense and a strong proactive strategy to capture terrorists and protect the safety of innocents — who doesn’t? But, I do not support torture.
Some will argue that torture doesn’t work. Some will argue that utilizing torture allows our “enemies” to do the same to captured soldiers. That’s fine - but here is what I say - it’s immorale. It’s wrong. It’s an affront to the ethics and life of Jesus, the Son of God. It’s a rejection that everyone was created in the image of God, a belief that arises out of the first few pages of that revered book called the Bible.
We cannot have a culture of life if we allow torture to occur, if we provide loopholes for barbaric procedures that deny people’s humanity.
It seems ridiculous to me - Pres. Bush is supposedly a Christian. Then, why would he have any problem putting in language in this bill that makes it clear that torture will not be used in this process of interrogation and detention of suspects? Why would any sane, morale person hinder that process? Not only did they hinder it - Bush would not even submit a bill until after the Supreme Court ruled that the program he and his staff initiated was unlawful and illegal. Then, the Republicans, the party who espouse a “culture of life”, voted overwhelming to support the bill.
I guess, I am simply at a loss. Where is America going? Have we lost our morality? Are we becoming more and more insensitive to any human need? I suppose so. I think I can feel a hint of how Jesus felt in Mark 3:1-6.
1 Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Why are our hearts so hard, America? Why are we afraid of doing good?
