Is torture a defining characteristic of Modern American Christianity?

[bryant69]

We have a Christian President who's pro-torture, we have a Christian Congress that votes for torture, and if you took a poll of American Christians, I would guess that a majority would support the current torture policy.

So is it fair to say that Torture is a defining chracteristic of Modern American Christianity?

Bryant
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[Ian David]

1. Jesus was tortured. And after all... who doesn't want to be like Jesus?n/t

[bryant69]

6. So in the Christian mindset, as you understand it

We are doing those Iraqis a favor by torturing the hell out of them?

Bryant

[Ian David]

15. It brings them closer to gawd. Just like Terri Schiavo.

Christians want everyone to suffer.

Gawd likes it when we suffer.

That's why I love mankind.

[Drum]

2. Yes, and it's Mel Gibson's fault.

He makes their porn.

[MrCoffee]

3. No.

[Rocknrule]

4. They think people different from them will be tortured forever by Jesus

so in their minds, it's a virtue

[Zodiak]

5. Yes they believe a loving God

would torture a soul forever for about 70 years of pissing him off.

Not that Hell is an original concept of Christianity. They added that concept about 800-900 years after Jesus died, from what I understand (I am no theologist). They had to add the stick to Jesus's carrot n order to get more followers.

Fear, it has always worked on humans.

[kenny blankenship]

7. why not? Torture was a prominent characteristic

of christian ecclesiastical governance for centuries (they were hardly alone among religions that tortured), and the christian religion has overflowed with hatred of the human body from its earliest days, often excusing torture and mortification of the flesh to achieve, respectively, truth or spiritual purity.

An embrace of torture by a Christian Fascist regime and its civilian base of support could be seen as a return to cultural roots--and aren't they always talking about the need for a return to christian principles and practices?

[liberalmuse]

8. Just modern Christianity? How about with all of Christianity.

Christians have been torturing and slaughtering people enmasse since the church's inception. The Popes raped at will, and now they cover up pedophilia. I'm not at all surprised that only a handful of churches have come out against the war and the torture bill. Most religion, especially the Abramic branches are the worst thing to ever happen to humanity.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Sadly, there is no "Comfy Chair."

:cry:

[EstimatedProphet]

10. It is a characteristic of fundamentalism, not Christianity

I'm a Christian. I am very much anti-torture, and anti-fundamentalism. Fundamentalism is a corruption. It's a cancer on Christianity. It takes the words of Christ - words of compassion, of healing, of love - and twists them into a message of hate. It is Satan's work on Christianity made manifest.

[bryant69]

11. The fundamentalists would claim that theirs is the true christians

Others would suggest that your continued allegiance to a faith that promotes torture, however much you might disagreew with that prospect, gives cover to those who support torture. If the moderates left christianity, the argumet goes, it could be seen for what it is, and destroyed.

Bryant

[EstimatedProphet]

13. And I would claim in return

that Satan comes disguised as a man of peace, and worship of false gods (i.e. Bush) is a violation of the very first commandment.

These people are not 'true' Christians. They are not Christians. They are Satanists. Period.

Judge by actions, not words.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. Exactly

[kiahzero]

12. They believe in an infinite torture for a thoughtcrime.

Why wouldn't they support finite torture if the victim is seen as a terrorist?