Written by NRCAT's Executive Director, Rev. Richard L. Killmer, below is his Preface to Faithful Against Torture, a soon-to-be-released book published by the United Methodist Church.

PREFACE

Why Are People of Faith Working to End U.S.-Sponsored Torture?

It is safe to say that millions of people of faith believe strongly that the U.S. policies and practices of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are wrong. Tens of thousands are involved with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, an organization created in January 2006, that has over 150 religious organizations as members.  These member groups include diverse faith traditions: evangelical Christians, mainline Protestants, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Quakers, Buddhists, Unitarians, Muslims, Jews, and Sikhs.

Notwithstanding points of theological difference, these groups have made a commitment to work together to end U.S.-sponsored torture. They understand that torture is a moral issue because morality requires good behavior.

Governments are not behaving well when they engage in the torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees, or when the standards of the U.S. Army Field manual are not required of the CIA or contractors. Governments are not behaving well when the ancient human right of habeas corpus is denied. Governments are not behaving well when there are secret prisons or detainees are sent to other countries known to use torture in their interrogation methods.

Why are people from these diverse faith groups in agreement about the immorality of torture and have made a commitment to work together to end U.S.-sponsored torture?  These religious nations share a basic understanding and affirmation of the inherent dignity of each individual which includes:

• A conviction that all human beings are endowed with a basic dignity. Most of these religions express that belief by saying that all individuals are created in the image of God. The dignity that all people possess requires that everyone should be honored and treated well. People of faith are called to be faithful and constant in their defense of each individual's dignity and humanity.
• Most religions require a variant of what is commonly referred to as "The Golden Rule": that which you would not want done to yourself, do not do to another. .Many policymakers have concluded that the golden rule is helpful in examining interrogation practices. The United States should only allow the CIA and other agencies to engage in interrogation techniques that we would agree could be used on our soldiers and personnel.
• People of faith are called to compassion - to care for people who are degraded or hurt or abused.  Because compassion leads religious people to work to end the causes of the abuse and degradation, thousands are engaged in the work to end U.S.-sponsored torture. 
• People of faith are called to pursue justice to assure that all people are treated fairly - as Martin Luther King once noted, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." At its heart, torture is an injustice. No one deserves to be treated in such a humiliating and degrading way.
   
• People of faith are called to hospitality - to welcome those who are marginalized and ostracized.  They are hospitable even to those who are of a different religion, a different ethnic group or a different nationality. They are even called to be welcoming to those who are enemies.
• People of faith are called to make peace - to facilitate reconciliation and to create a culture of peace. Torturing not only makes enemies with those who are tortured, it diminishes our nation in the eyes of our allies and other countries of the world.

Religious institutions are called to embody these values and to engage in these tasks.  Religious traditions emphasize ethical behavior as a witness to their faith. Because of the moral authority these bring, religion can provide leadership to these issues in society as a whole.  They also provide leadership in secular society, playing an important role in influencing issues of morality. Furthermore, the infrastructure that they provide supports the millions of people who covet justice and peace for all of God's creation.

Alexis de Tocqueville, the French historian and observer of 19th century America, said that "America is great because America is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." If we want a great nation, we must work to assure that we have a good one. Instead of bad behavior, people of faith work to assure that torture and all denials of human rights are replaced with guarantees of respect, dignity, justice and fairness.

This book is a helpful collection of essays by people of faith who dig deeply into their own traditions and apply the wisdom of their faiths to the issue of torture. Religious traditions have a great deal to say about torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners. This volume captures well the insights and teachings of various faith traditions. You are urged to read these essays and share them with others in your congregation and faith communities.

Rev. Richard L. Killmer
Executive Director
National Religious Campaign Against Torture