Catholic
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Episcopal
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Muslim
National Association of Evangelicals
National Council of Churches
Pax Christi
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Quaker
Rabbinical Assembly (of Conservative Rabbis)
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Reformed Church in America
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Statements and Letters of National Denominations and Religious Groups
“Support an End to Torture” is a handout urging supporters to contact the Transition Team and ask President Obama to issue an Executive Order banning torture. This also includes remarks by John Carr, the Executive Director of the Department Justice, Peace and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops during a press conference organized by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (January 15, 2009).
“Urge President Bush to Sign Anti-torture Provisions” Action Alert (February 28, 2008).
Letter to Senators in support of HR 2082, the Intelligence Authorization Act, that prohibits torture as an interrogation technique (January 30, 2008).
Resolution Condemning Torture adopted by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (August 5, 2006) and endorsed Leadership Conference of Women Religious (August 20, 2006). Of Note: Representative James McGovern (MA-3rd) submitted this resolution for the Record during debate of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 - view it in the Congressional Record, Volume 151 (2006).
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
"Elimination of Torture" Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution adopted at the 2007 General Assembly.
"Supporting A Treaty for the Prevention of Torture" Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution adopted at a meeting in Orlando, Florida on July 13 – 17, 2013.
The General Convention of the Episcopal Church, Resolution C020, Condemnation of Torture, 2009.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
See the guiding principles and commitments of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America regarding human rights issues, including torture.
Keep current with the ELCA’s work on torture and detention, including the recent Ten Days of Prayer: Countdown to End Torture.
"For Peace in God's World" (see section 5.A.), fourth Churchwide Assembly, 8/20/95.
"A New Muslim Statement Against Torture" by Hussein Rashid, May 8, 2009.
“Muslim Americans Welcome Presidential Executive Orders Restoring the Rule of Law and Human Dignity,” January 22, 2009.
“ISNA Participates in ‘National Day of Witness’ Against Torture ,” November 13, 2008.
“Torture is Not an American Value,” February 16, 2008.
National Association of Evangelicals
"An Evangelical Declaration Against Torture: Protecting Human Rights in An Age of Terror" endorsed by the NAE board at its March 2007 meeting.
“Faith Leaders Implore Bush to End Torture” is a press release issued by the National Council of Churches (February 28, 2008).
“Faith Leaders Urged to Speak Out Against Torture” is a press release issued by the National Council of Churches (August 17, 2006). It also includes their statement on the disavowal of torture.
"A Statement on the Disavowal of Torture" from the General Assembly of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and Church World Service, November 2005.
“To Be Instruments of God’s Peace, Love, and Justice in a Broken and Shattered World: Resources for Responding to Torture” (PDF) is a compilation of General Assembly statements on torture and prayers that can be used during service (February 2, 2009).
See “Ideas for Responding to Torture” (PDF) for more information on the work that the Presbyterian Church is doing and how you can help (August 23, 2008).
"Human Rights in a Time of Terrorism and Torture " (PDF) is a resolution and study paper approved by the 217th General Assembly (June 2006).
"Petitions Against Torture " from the 217th General Assembly (June 2006).
"A Resolution and Confession on the Torture and Abuse of Prisoners " from the 216th General Assembly (2004).
See Statements from Quaker Meetings, Churches, and Organizations compiled by the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
See various Minutes of Support of the Quaker Initiative to End Torture.
The Rabbinical Assembly (of Conservative Rabbis)
"Resolution on Freedom, Democracy and the Humane Treatment of Prisoners" from the Rabbinical Assembly Convention in March 2005.
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
“RRA Resolution on Further Steps in the Struggle to Abolish Torture under United States’ Authority” (PDF) adopted on March 25, 2008.
"Resolution on the Use of Torture and Abuse of Detainees" (PDF) by the United States from the RRA Convention in March 2005.
The 2008 General Synod voted to join the campaign against torture.
The 2005 General Synod instructed the General Secretary to write to leaders of the U.S. government on the treatment of prisoners and detainees.
“Reform Movement Welcomes Release of Torture Memos,” April 16, 2009.
“Torture is Not an American Value: Reform Jewish Leader Hails Senate Vote Opposing Torture, Calls on President to Sign Bill into Law,” February 14, 2008.
See what the Union of Reform Judaism says about Jewish values and torture.
"Resolution on Torture" from the 68th General Assembly (November 2005).
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
The 2009 Action of Immediate Witness of the Unitarian Universalist Association calls for a Commission of Inquiry into U.S.-sponsored torture and endorses the NRCAT statement.
“Unitarian Universalist Congregations Take Public Stand Against Torture,” October 30, 2008.
See “Stop U.S. Sponsored Torture—A Religious Call to Action,” a statement released in 2007 by the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
See what the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations says about torture.
"United States-Sponsored Torture Must End," an Action of Immediate Witness from the 2005 General Assembly.
"Rev. John Thomas Urges Torture Ban at Press Conference" November 12, 2008.
“Religious Organizations Ask Bush to Stop U.S. Torture,” February 29, 2008.
Social Principles: See reference to torture in V. The Political Community, A) Basic Freedoms and Human Rights (¶164)
The General Board of Church and Society: Statement from its Fall 2005 meeting
Expression of grave concern over the nomination of William J. Haynes II to Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 19 organizations, 7/10/06.
Presbyterian Church USA
Letter from Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of PCUSA, to President Obama calling for a Commission of Inquiry.
Rabbis for Human Rights
Rabbinic Letter on Torture to President Bush and Members of Congress, 1/27/05.
Reformed Church in America
Letter on the treatment of prisoners and detainees from Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary, 10/1/05. The 2005 General Synod instructed the General Secretary to write to leaders of the U.S. government.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Letter to Senators in support of the McCain-Warner amendments numbers 1556 and 1557 to S. 1042, on behalf of USCCB, from the Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J., Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Chairman, Committee on International Policy, 10/4/05.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee/Unitarian Universalist Association
Joint letter to President Obama from Charlie Clements (UUSC) and Rev. William Sinkford (UUA) calling for a Commission of Inquiry, April 28, 2009.
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