(Rep) Abercrombie wants to know if torture is a 'mortal sin'

[deminks]

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080312/BREAKING01/80312055

WASHINGTON — The Vatican recently expanded the list of sinful behavior to include genetic manipulation, drug use and pollution, but U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie wants to know about torture during interrogations.

The Hawai'i Democrat sent a letter to Monsignor Gianfranco Girotti, the head of the Vatican's office that deals in matters of conscience and grants absolution, asking for more information.

"For centuries, the Catholic Church has defined sins for millions of people throughout the world," said Abercrombie, one of six religiously unaffiliated House members. "I wrote him to ask if the Catholic Church also considered the use of or support for the use of torture in interrogation as a mortal sin."

Abercrombie said that Girotti was quoted in the news this week as saying that genetic manipulation, drug abuse and an imbalance between the rich and the poor should be considered mortal sins.)

(end snip)

Go Rep. Abercrombie! ( he is one of the good guys, btw, voted yea to override Chimpy's veto of torture ban)

I would be very interested in their answer. So would history, don't ya know.

[Qutzupalotl]

1. Wrong group to ask about torture.

Spanish Inquisition, anyone?

If you're like me, and define evil as the intentional infliction of pain, the answer to his question would be a resounding YES.

[JuniperLea]

2. Beat me to it!

Pardon the pun:)

[Itchinjim]

3. Spanish Inquisition? Boy, I didn't expect that.

[Adsos Letter]

4. As much as I realize the pragmatic nature of getting the RC Church to sign on to this...

we shouldn't have to base these things on religious decrees. Torture should be considered unlawful simply by the very Rights of Mankind so brilliantly elucidated by the Enlightenment folks...and to which our Founders ascribed.