Posted on 05/21/2005 11:38:42 AM PDT by bookworm100
In a May 10 letter to its one-million members, the president and chief executive of the United Methodist Women’s Division urge constituents to take a stand against United States-sanctioned torture.
The letter, sent by Kyung Za Yim and Dr. Jan Love, states that torture is being sanctioned by the U.S. government under the guise of national security and the war on terror, according to reports from reputable groups such as the International Red Cross and Human Rights Watch. These groups cite incidences in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Afghanistan; and Abu Gharaib, Iraq. In other instances, the United States is sending prisoners to countries where torture is often used as part of interrogation -- Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan.
“We believe President Bush’s public statement -- that torture is wrong - is commendable. Yet, according to reports from human rights groups, the practice continues. We hope President Bush will uphold the Constitutional principles prohibiting ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ and ensure that all decision makers, civilian and military - not just those in the lowest ranks - are held accountable,” the letter says.
The statement comes on the heels of jury selection for the second trial of U.S. army reservists who were subjects of some of the most notorious prison abuse photographs at Abu Ghraib in Iraq and after a reprimand and fine of a colonel who oversaw the prison. The photos spurned condemnation from countries around the globe.
The Women’s Division does not want citizens to be numbed by the abuses, which a recent survey suggests is happening. A USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll in May 2004 suggested that 54% of the public were bothered a “great deal” by the acts of torture. The number has dropped to 39% in May 2005. 19% are now saying that the acts do not bother them at all.
Meanwhile, former detainees testify to sexual torture, religious humiliation, temperature extremes, electric shock, beatings, sleep and food deprivation, injection of drugs under interrogation, denial of medical care, cages and isolation cells.
“Violence begets violence. When we abandon basic principles of international law prohibiting torture, we sink into barbarism, which puts soldiers, military personnel, and civilians of all nations at risk for the same treatment,” says the Women’s Division letter.
The letter praises soldiers like Specialist Matthew Carl Wisdom -- son of the Rev. Dick and Cheryl Wisdom of Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford, Illinois -- and Sergeant Joseph Darby who have shown bravery as they exposed torture at Abu Ghraib and have publicly anguished over what happens to decent military personnel when the command and control system allows torture and abuse.
“We recognize and affirm that most military personnel, like these men, serve their country honorably and fulfill their duties with integrity,” the letter says. Ms. Yim and Dr. Love want United Methodist Women and the denomination to act by educating themselves further on the issue; contacting the Council of Bishops and requesting that they take a denominational stance; and writing letters to their editors and politicians.
“Study and reflect on the issue of torture and our Biblical mandate to ‘love our neighbors.’ What does this mean amidst a ‘war on terror?’” the women’s leaders challenge.
The United Methodist Social Principles (The Book of Discipline, Paragraph 164, p. 119) states: “mistreatment or torture of persons by governments for any purpose violates Christian teaching and must be condemned and/or opposed by Christians and churches wherever and whenever it occurs.”
The Women’s Division represents United Methodist Women, a one-million member organization whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. Members raise close to $25 million a year for local and global programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.
Read the letter at http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wdnews.cfm?articleid=3189
I conjure up the picture of the "Not this ...again" guy with the headache.
Does this organization have any objection to beheading civilians?
Silly me, I thought from the headline that this would be about, oh, Cuba, Sudan, Syria, or someplace where they actually DO torture people. I should have known better.
Maybe someone knows whether or not they objected to that.
LOL. Not your usual subject matter.
Stupid leftists. Where is the outcry against torture and opression by Islam, marxists, communists and dictators?
Head-up-the-hindy vision.
The vast majority of mainline protestents have no idea that the $150 in their church budget to send a well-meaning local do-gooder to a church conference on social concerns supports this kind of leftist political diatribe. The far-left fill the committees and leadership with people who adhere to their rigid litmus tests and then accuse anyone who doesn't go along of trying to politicize a purely spiritual endeavor.
This is just an example of why I do not attend this "church" any longer.
You've got some special device that let's you see right through my computer screen to the basket of laundry to my right, don't you?
Now paul, didn't you get the memo that said it's "Bash the US" this decade? Truth or lies have no place in Bash America. We are the flavor of the millennium.
I do not attend any church any longer. Their hypocrisy drove me away.
This sort of nonsense has been going on for at least 30 years. The "long march through the institutions" entered the mainline Protestant churches in the mid-50s and has continued apace.
"The Women’s Division does not want citizens to be numbed by the abuses, which a recent survey suggests is happening. A USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll in May 2004 suggested that 54% of the public were bothered a “great deal” by the acts of torture. The number has dropped to 39% in May 2005. 19% are now saying that the acts do not bother them at all."
Could this possibly be that people know that America isn't torturing prisoners to begin with, eventhough the leftist MSM would like us to believe that it's happening on a daily basis throughout the world?
I'm in the same situation as you.
You are SO right.
See the letter at: http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wdnews.cfm?articleid=3189
The letter says:
"On April 11, 2005, Women’s Division directors voted to call on United Methodist Women to:
* Study and reflect on the issue of torture and our Biblical mandate to “love our neighbors.” What doesthis mean amidst a “war on terror?”
* Call on the Council of Bishops and other United Methodist Agencies to make a public witness against torture.
In addtion, we urge you to:
* Write letters to the editor and government leaders about this concern.
* Take time in your circles, units and meetings to reflect, pray and act.
* Continue to check http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/ for updated resources on the issue."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.