Author Topic: Torture (Read 1564 times)

Dawn · « **on:** October 19, 2007, 02:44:34 PM »

It is something you hear everywhere you turn today. So, do you support torture of "enemies" captured in this war in particular. And, if you do, why, when and how far is too far?

Miss_Fluffy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2007, 02:52:48 PM »

I'd be hard pressed to think of a situation where torture is okay. Especially when we're dealing with all of these unjust wars.

Sure, civilians might be in danger from time to time, but when we go around instigating fights, it's to be expected.

Matthew · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2007, 03:11:14 PM »

Morality can never be put aside.

Killing someone who is trying to kill you (in defense of your country) has been declared licit by the Church.

But when you have captured a soldier and taken away his gun, he is now helpless. You don't tie him up to a board and tilt him backward into a body of water to give him the sensation of drowning ("waterboarding") nor do you attach electrified clips to parts of his body, nor is it licit to take revenge on your enemy by causing him unnecessary pain and suffering.

The "enemy" never ceases to be a child of God; it's that simple. No matter how much your government has "de-humanized" him, he is still human. And a living human being is capable of praising God forever in heaven (if he converted), and Jesus shed his blood for THIS MAN IN PARTICULAR as well.

That must always be kept in mind.

Matthew

Trinity · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2007, 03:14:59 PM »

I wonder. Do people realize how far down the morality scale we have slid that that question is even asked. Oh, well. Ho hum and all that.

Dawn · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2007, 03:53:03 PM »

Do not forget the drugs they use as well. They even did that to Joseph Cardinal Mindzenty when the commies had him. Course that could not have hurt him half as much as the betrayal he received at the hands of the Vatican, but that is another thread.
I saw the movie "The Good Shepard" and they have a horrid torture scene, course they had the wrong guy to boot, but it is wicked.
But, that is my point, any good "Catholic", Neo-conned war monger can justify torture in the "War on Terrah" as Bush calls it.
That is not to say I think the Infidels are above us in this regards, so I do not need anyone to point that out to me. I mean cutting off somebody's head with a rusty, dull pocket knife it just as evil.
But, how do so many people justify this? And is there anyone here on this board that does side with torture?

Vandaler · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2008, 10:20:49 PM »

I missed this thread the first time around I suppose.

I do not support torture, but for pragmatic reasons. The bottom line is that torture is not an effective way to extract accurate information. If it was, I could see some circuмstances in which the evil of torture might be an acceptable trade off, but the fact remains firmly that it's not an effective way.

Magdalene · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2008, 01:56:59 AM »

What about the torturing of heretics during the Middle Ages for the purpose of their recanting their heresy? How come the Church condoned that?

sedetrad · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2008, 05:34:30 AM »

I think that the explanation is that heretics were in very real danger of losing their immortal soul in eternity so torture was used so that they would come to their senses and confess their sins. If they confessed their sins and recanted their heresy, the torture would end and they would be killed quickly and they would then have a chance at heaven rather than eternal hell.

sedetrad · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2008, 05:36:07 AM »

The men of the middle ages knew in a more profound way than modern man that the purpose of life is God and Heaven. Anything that leads you away from heaven towards hell should be fought.

JoanScholastica · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2008, 01:05:09 AM »

sedetrad · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2008, 04:55:48 AM »

Joan, you are correct that the modern use of "torture" is not for the same purpose as the in the middle ages.