Torture is Never Right

Below is a letter sent to me by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NCAT).  I wrote my Congressperson and now I am asking you to write yours. If you are a Christian please remember this --torture is what people do to Christ, not for him.  Even if you are not religious please remember torture neither gets results (it has been demonstrated to produce less true information and more false information than non-coercive techniques.  It's use is primarily about hatred for it's victim.  In fact many who use it will use non-coercive techniques until they have all the information they need, since they know it's not reliable.  Peter King is creating the atmosphere were torture against Muslims will become more acceptable. Please take action.

Dear Friends: As you may have heard, Rep. Peter King (NY-3) has announced that he will hold a series of hearings on the “radicalization of the American Muslim community” and its alleged unwillingness to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to stop terrorism. Many people of faith have been dismayed at the singling out of one particular set of Americans and have responded by calling for Rep. King to either cancel the hearings or to change their format to create a constructive dialogue about how people of all faiths can stop terrorism. Please write to your Representative to ask him or her to sign a letter being circulated by Reps. Pete Stark and John Dingell that calls on Rep. King to refocus the hearings on extremism and violence in all forms, rather than focusing on American Muslims.   NRCAT has believed since its beginning that prejudice toward Muslims was a significant contributing factor that led to U.S. acceptance of torture. NRCAT’s Board has become a member of “Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Standing with American Muslims; Upholding American Values," a coalition of 23 religious organizations that are engaged in efforts to end anti-Muslim bigotry.    We agree with Rep. King that national security is an important value. But we believe that there is a better way to ensure our national security than singling out one faith community. Instead of emphasizing our differences, our safety as a nation would be better enhanced if the government asked all the religious communities in America to work together for our nation’s security. Rep. King’s hearings will increase anti-Muslim sentiment in America without improving American security.   Please write to your Representative today. Rep. King should cancel these hearings and instead work with leaders of all faiths to make this country more secure from violence and extremism in all forms.  Sincerely, Linda Gustitus, President Rev. Richard Killmer, Executive Director