Evangelical Christians attack use of torture by US | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited
Evangelical Christians attack use of torture by US | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited
If you asked before reading the headline, I would have said “When pigs fly” before I would have claimed this.
To summarize:
The uncoupling of American evangelism from the administration of George Bush gathered pace yesterday when one of the largest national umbrella groups of socially conservative Christians issued a statement critical of US policy towards detainees and repudiating torture as a tactic in the war on terror.
…”Tragically, documented cases of torture and inhumane and cruel behaviour have occurred at various sites in the war on terror, and current law opens procedural loopholes for more to continue,” the NAE said last night.
The strong alliance between Christian evangelicals and Mr Bush, an important key to his electoral successes, has been tested in recent months with the Mark Foley scandal over his attraction towards male teenage pages in Congress, and perceived corruption in parts of the Republican party.
…Yesterday’s statement on torture suggested a new determination on the part of the evangelical churches to detach themselves from the Republican party and stake their independence - even if it is from a position more traditionally associated with the left.
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