Disciples of Christ

SUGGESTIONS FOR DISCIPLES OF CHRIST CONGREGATIONS
WORKING TO END U.S.-SPONSORED TORTURE FOREVER

Many congregations of many denominations and faith groups have concluded that ending U.S.-sponsored torture is a task integral to their faith. Those congregations have joined with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) in a variety of activities to educate their community and provide a religious witness against the practice of torture.  Many of the resources listed are available from NRCAT's online store.

  1. Show the video "Ending U.S.-sponsored Torture Forever" in an adult church school class in your congregation. You can view the video on the NRCAT website here and order a DVD with discussion guide here.
  2. Incorporate worship materials on torture into the worship experiences of your congregation.  NRCAT's Worship Resources page provides a variety of worship materials (e.g., sample sermons and prayers).  Click here.
  3. Make your opposition to torture visible by displaying an anti-torture banner on the exterior of your building, a bumper sticker on your car, or a poster in your church or office. Several different designs of banners (here and here)and bumper stickers (here and here) are available from NRCAT's online store.
  4. Use one of the anti-torture curricula, prepared by the various faith groups, in your church school classes. For example, NRCAT collaborated with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to produce a Catholic curriculum.  This curriculum and others are available on NRCAT's Study Resources page here.
  5. Urge individual members of your congregations to endorse a statement calling for a Commission of Inquiry to recommend the safeguards that are needed to assure that torture never happens again by learning as much as we can about U.S.-sponsored torture. Individuals can endorse online here or you can download a petition version here and gather signatures.
  6. Talk to your Members of Congress about legislation that could help end U.S.-sponsored torture forever. The NRCAT website provides a variety of policy advocacy materials here, including talking points and tips for meeting with Members of Congress here, as well as form e-mails and sample letters-to-the-editor here.
  7. Endorse Torture is a Moral Issue - the statement of Conscience of the national Religious Campaign Against Torture. You can endorse online here or by going to the NRCAT homepage and clicking on "Join Us: Sign the Statement of Conscience."

TORTURE IS A MORAL ISSUE

Torture violates the basic dignity of the human person that all religions, in their highest ideals, hold dear. It degrades everyone involved-policy-makers, perpetrators and victims. It contradicts our nation's most cherished values. Any policies that permit torture and inhumane treatment are shocking and morally intolerable.

Nothing less is at stake in the torture abuse crisis than the soul of our nation. What does it signify if torture is condemned in word but allowed in deed? Let America abolish torture now-without exceptions.

National Religious Campaign Against Torture, 316 F St. NE, Washington, DC 20002. Phone 202-547-1920; Email: campaign@nrcat.org; Web site www.nrcat.org (or www.tortureisamoralissue.org)