RELIGION AND TORTURE

CNN did a survey measuring the attitudes on torture based on religious affiliation and church attendance. I think the sample is too small - less than 800 individuals were polled, I wonder how it would hold up with a larger survey.

The numbers of those who attend church frequently and think torture is "often or sometimes" justified was 52%. Of those who attend church seldom or never, only 42% agree with the use of torture.

The survey asked: "Do you think the use of torture against suspected terrorists in order to gain important information can often be justified, sometimes be justified, rarely be justified, or never be justified?" Nearly half, 49 percent said it is often or sometimes justified, 25% said it never is.

When broken down by religious groups, the Protestants were less likely to agree with the use of torture, the Evangelicals more likely to agree. My guess is the more the liturgical focus is on eye for an eye revenge and fire and brimstone fear - the more it brings out our baser instincts.

IS IT JUST ME?

Perhaps it is just me, but I do not feel any safer today than I did on September 12, 2001.

I don't think flying is safer, I don't think attacking Iraq has been helpful in any way and I don't think that the intrusion into basic civil rights and the erosion of our national morality has made us safe.

That Cheney et. al, claim the ends (our security) justify the means makes me ill. I agree with Jeff Schweitzer 's article in the Huffington Post:

"When we appeal to the corrupt idea that ends trump means, nothing constrains our worst instincts. We end up with Japanese detention camps, witch hunts for "communists" by the House Un-American Activities Committee, illegal wire tapping, falsified evidence for war, and torture.."

In other words - we just keep on repeating our history of wrong headed, demoralizing, inhumane activities and learn nothing and become ever more morally bankrupt. Quite frankly if the lawyers who drafted those torture guidelines are not prosecuted, or at least have their "careers" destroyed, then it will never, ever stop. Just as those people on Wall Street and in the banks and mortgage companies who made a killing before it all came tumbling down will just go out and do it again unless they are regulated into responsibility.

I question the Obama administration's reluctance to further investigate and prosecute those who made these abhorrent activities possible. I know that there is concern that seeking "retribution" will divert time and attention from the bigger agenda items. However, I don't see how we can go forward as a nation of conscience if we don't make it very clear that, yet again, we have blundered and take responsibility for the damage done.