Comments for A Christian's lament over the Pew torture poll at http://www.pres-outlook.net , comment 1 to 5 out of 5 comments http://www.pres-outlook.net Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:23:42 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.pres-outlook.net/reports-a-resources/presbyterian-heritage-articles/8895-a-christians-lament-over-the-pew-torture-poll.html#comment-4783 Both (David) Gushee and (Elizabeth) Beck fail to mention that Dick Cheney’s request for the administration’s release of the results of enhanced interrogations under the previous administration has run into a stone wall. People who follow news reports know that an attack on Los Angeles, similar to the attack of 9/11/01 in New York City and upon the Pentagon, was foiled as a result of enhanced interrogations, which Gushee and Beck call “torture.” It is well documented that President (Barack) Obama has not ruled out the use of enhanced interrogations in case the intelligence reports he receives show our country is about to be attacked. That fact may be one reason why more than half the people polled still favor enhanced interrogations “often or sometimes.” Ms. Beck says that “ … our democratic principles are being eroded in the name of national security,” but fails to say what principles she has in mind. She says our country “is hungry for the Truth, and sick of being fed the lies of fear.” … In most cases, when one capitalizes “truth” one means the Truth that comes from God. I wonder if Ms. Beck is referring to God’s Truth or Prof. Gushee’s angry article, or to a collection of ideas she calls truth. If she means precisely the Truth that comes from God, then I suggest that she enlist in the army of people of many faiths who want to communicate that Truth to the Islamic jihadists — the real fear mongers and perpetrators of torture, violence, and terror. Craig W. Cashdollar, honorably retired Erie, Pa. - Craig W. Cashdollar, honorably retired Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:16:37 +0100 http://www.pres-outlook.net/reports-a-resources/presbyterian-heritage-articles/8895-a-christians-lament-over-the-pew-torture-poll.html#comment-4769 I was very impressed by David Gushee’s article of June 22 and couldn’t agree with him more. Torture is a by-product of war, which has been accepted by us ever since Constantine declared Christianity to be the official religion. That doesn’t mean that it’s right. There is no mention of war being right or wrong in the Bible (Doug Reed, July 20). Jesus’ message is to love your neighbor, do good to those who hate you, return evil with good, and turn the other cheek. He died without defending himself. How else can you interpret this (but) as being against war? War is killing people that we don’t even know or hate. What’s worse is that we send our own children, before their brains are fully developed, to fight our battles for us. There are 25,000 veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and 11 people have been killed by returning veterans. How much more do we need to get the message? War is archaic and insane, and the fact that we condone it shows that we choose nationalism before Christianity. We go to war and then pray for peace. God must think, “You’ve got to be kidding.” - Allene L. Goodfellow Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:01:35 +0100 http://www.pres-outlook.net/reports-a-resources/presbyterian-heritage-articles/8895-a-christians-lament-over-the-pew-torture-poll.html#comment-4719 When I first read this I dismissed it as another partisan rant from a tenured academic at another liberal arts college. Then the responses drew me back to the article. Apart from its self-righteous tone, is the presupposition that those who may not in full agreement with the author's theological perspective are by definition "anathema, and not part of the church of David Gushee. I think I will get over that. As one of the few clergy, or people in general who have been to both Iraq, Gitmo, Cuba, and a host of other pleasant spaces about the globe I can only report all I encountered both personally and professionally discharged their duty with compassion, integrity, and personal honor for all under their care, friend and foe. If Dr. Gushee or others are unable to reconcile that, I personally do not care. It has been an honor to serve my country. We serve and sacrifice for all people, Dr. Gushee included. Peter Gregory Commander Chaplain Corps U.S. Navy (retired) - Rev. Peter Gregory Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:41:22 +0100 http://www.pres-outlook.net/reports-a-resources/presbyterian-heritage-articles/8895-a-christians-lament-over-the-pew-torture-poll.html#comment-4713 Rev. Williams has good valid points. I would add that those who approve of the American Congress' approved, criteria of interrogation technics are considering the saving of human life as a motivation for tough measures. I wonder if Mr. Gushee also approves of taking the lives of babies to avoid the embarrasement or inconvenience of giving birth. - Birch Rambo Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:59:10 +0100 http://www.pres-outlook.net/reports-a-resources/presbyterian-heritage-articles/8895-a-christians-lament-over-the-pew-torture-poll.html#comment-4711 This writer errs on at least two counts: 1) He identifies the enhanced interrogation techniques approved for our use as "tortune," when actual torture is painful and disfiguring. We do not use tortune as our enemies do. 2) He includes the shocking indignities used at Abu Graib as if they were among approved techniques. They were not, and their perpetuators have been prosecuted. The continued proliferation of these uncritical and erroneous views is irrespoonsible. - Rev. Ernest Williams Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:58:25 +0100