Washington, DC – Rev. Richard Killmer, the Executive Director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, an interfaith coalition representing over 270 U.S. religious bodies, released this statement today in response to the election of Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts:

“Senator-elect Scott Brown has, on multiple occasions, declared his support for the use by the United States of waterboarding and other ‘enhanced’ interrogation techniques that are no longer allowed by President Obama's Executive Order of January 22, 2009.  We urge Mr. Brown to learn more about U.S.-sponsored torture including the fact that it is illegal and immoral because of the harm it does to individuals and communities.

Our country faces very real security threats.  As we respond to these threats, it is important to remember who we are and what we, as a people, believe.  As Alex De Tocqueville is quoted as saying over 180 years ago, ‘America is great because America is good.  If America ceases to be good, it will cease to be great.’ Our greatness comes from the moral values that we share.

We know that torture is wrong – our faiths, our history, and our traditions teach us that.  We must not forget it – even when we experience fear and uncertainty.  As John McCain said, ‘This is not about them. It is about us.’ We urge Senator-elect Brown to help make America great by ensuring that what we do is good.” 

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The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is a growing membership organization committed to ending U.S.-sponsored torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Since its formation in January 2006, 270 religious groups have joined NRCAT, including representatives from the Roman Catholic, evangelical Christian, mainline Protestant, Unitarian Universalist, Quaker, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Baha’i, Buddhist, and Sikh communities. Members include national denominations and faith groups, regional organizations and local congregations.