Comments on: Our Sins

By: In Defense of Moral Reasoning « Plumb Lines

In Defense of Moral Reasoning « Plumb Lines — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:57:38 +0000

[...] course I am sympathetic to E.D.’s feeling that this is a debate we shouldn’t be having. If torture doesn’t seem obviously wrong [...]

By: Torture’s Wrong, but What About Lying? « This Ringing Bell

Torture’s Wrong, but What About Lying? « This Ringing Bell — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:25:48 +0000

[...] “ink” has been spilled already on this topic, including posts by David Schaengold, E.D. Kain, Daniel Larison, and John [...]

By: Torture and the Lies We Tell « Plumb Lines

Torture and the Lies We Tell « Plumb Lines — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:06:43 +0000

[...] have been encouraged to see a strong chorus including John Schwenkler, E.D. Kain, David, MEvL, and now First Things express the truth that torture is wrong. One thing that we have [...]

By: Mike Farmer

Mike Farmer — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:53:30 +0000

In reality we left the door open to interpretation. I don’t think there was the will to define it carefully and strictly. Rather than define torture, it may be wise to define, clearly, what we can do, then everything else is banned. There has to be a way to list procedures that are clear and measurable.

By: E.D. Kain

E.D. Kain — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:35:00 +0000

I concur, Mike. I thought it had been, though….

By: Mike Farmer

Mike Farmer — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:06:30 +0000

I’ve come to the conclusion that torture must be banned forever — it’s the only moral solution, because otherwise we’ll rationalize its need. It would make a great statement to the world to say — in spite of the risk to our lives, even if torture could minimize those risks, we choose to ban torture forever, because it’s the right thing to do.

If we can’t get the information through questioning and psychological, non-violent trickery or negotiations, or good old spy work, then we don’t get it.

By: E.D. Kain

E.D. Kain — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:13:38 +0000

Excellent point, Michael. This is what I was trying to say. I’m still rather awful at expressing anything even remotely intelligent when it comes to theology…

By: Michael E. van Landingham

Michael E. van Landingham — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:11:06 +0000

In fact, the crucifixion teaches us that every sin we commit increases the burden of Christ on the cross, that as sinners we are in essence his tormentors. Jesus’ willingness to accept this burden for our benefit, however, begs us to reduce the suffering not for His sake but for our own. It follows that to torture is to deny one’s own salvation as a Christ-like individual.