WASHINGTON (RNS) An interfaith coalition of religious groups has asked President-elect Barack Obama to sign an executive order banning torture on his first day in office.
Members of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture sent Obama a letter with their request on Friday (Jan. 9) and met with members of his transition team on Wednesday.
“We believe it’s the singular most important act that he can take after being sworn in that will tell the nation and tell the world that the United States has changed,” said Linda Gustitus, president of the campaign, in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday.
The letter, which was signed by more than 30 Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders, was accompanied by a list of principles the group hopes Obama will consider in an executive order. They seek a national standard for treatment and interrogation of prisoners, a ban on secret prisons, and adherence to “the golden rule” so U.S. interrogations include no methods that would not be acceptable for U.S. soldiers or civilians.
Leaders from a range of faiths said their traditions declare that torture is immoral and should not be condoned.
“The time is long past due for America to reclaim its moral foundation,” said the Rev. John Thomas, president and general minister of the United Church of Christ. “This is not just the change we can believe in. This is the change our beliefs demand.”
The campaign’s Web site includes a count-down clock until the inauguration, but it will be replaced with a clock marking time after Obama is sworn in if he does not sign an executive order during his first day in office.
“Our highest and best hope is that he will do that on the first day as a dramatic symbol to the world,” said Gustitus. “Should he do it within a month, will we still be grateful?
Absolutely, because he still will be sending a signal to the world that torture is over. But the opportunity to seize the moment upon taking office, we believe, is one that he should avail himself of.”
Separately, Witness Against Torture, a group led by Catholic activists, is spearheading a “Fast for Justice” in hopes that Obama will close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and end torture.
By Adelle M. Banks
Religion News Service
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted January 14, 2009 at 9:14 pm
I could not agree with the group more!
While there are many things that I think the Pres-elect should do right away….I agree that sending this message would be the very best way to demonstrate that the our great nation is once again on high ground.
Peace!
posted January 15, 2009 at 11:42 am
We should be honest. Under almost any circumstance we should not torture but we should admit that if, for instance, there was strong reason to believe a person had knowledge we need to save several lives and they are not giving it up to other methods, then with the President’s permission and the knowledge it would become public knowledge we had tortured someone within, say, two months, we might torture that person.
In other words we should avoid torture at almost all costs and when we do torture the President must have given specific permission to torture that person and it cannot remain secret long. I believe that’s a way we can recover respect in the world while retaining the ability to use torture if it’s the only way to avoid a major tragedy. My two cents on the issue.
posted January 15, 2009 at 12:59 pm
If no torture means no torture, period, and a terrorist is known to have the information to say, blow up NYC, and Jersey City, and they can’t make him talk will everyone be happy that everyone is dead, and industries destroyed to “take the high end”? Would England, France, Italy, Russia, etc. do the same? Shouldn’t we as nnmns said have a little clause in there?
posted January 15, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Those of us who claim to be Christian cannot really take any other stand except to be absolutely against torturing a human being for any reason. Our principles dictate that we do not harm another person regardless of how noble we think the ends are.
But, this issue points out how difficult it is to be president and maintain your Christian principles. Not all citizens share these values and expect the president to protect them.
posted January 15, 2009 at 4:29 pm
BTW, from a practical sense, I’m not convinced torture works anyway. If a person is willing to strap explosives onto himself or fly an airplane into a building in order to accomplish his goal, why would you think he would give you any useful information if you torture him?