Surrendering the High Ground on Torture
September 19, 2006
Another op ed piece in the Wasthington Post today (I'm visiting my mother in D. C. this week) was written by Eugene Robinson. This one was titled "Torture Is Torture." He first gives practical reasons why America should not sanction torture of our enemies. But then he says, "We shouldn't have to talk about the practicalities of torture, because the real question is moral: What kind of nation are we? What kind of people are we?"
I am encouraged to read such plain and clear opposition to the sanctioning of torture. In my view, this is a watershed issue. For America to sanction torture is to embrace a new level of barbarism. For this to come from the administration of a President who openly names himsel a Christian hurts all the more. So much for the "culture of life." But just as concerning to me is this question: Where is the evangelical Christian opposition to torture? Our silence on this issue undermines our status as defenders of biblical morality and surrenders the moral high ground to the liberals at the worst possible moment.
I am encouraged to read such plain and clear opposition to the sanctioning of torture. In my view, this is a watershed issue. For America to sanction torture is to embrace a new level of barbarism. For this to come from the administration of a President who openly names himsel a Christian hurts all the more. So much for the "culture of life." But just as concerning to me is this question: Where is the evangelical Christian opposition to torture? Our silence on this issue undermines our status as defenders of biblical morality and surrenders the moral high ground to the liberals at the worst possible moment.
