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Torture violates the basic dignity of the human person that all religions, in their highest ideals, hold dear. It degrades everyone involved -- policy-makers, perpetrators and victims. It contradicts our nation's most cherished ideals. Any policies that permit torture and inhumane treatment are shocking and morally intolerable.
Since January 2006, over 26,000 people have added their support to this statement from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT). We invite you to add your support by signing the statement today.
The Minnesota Council of Churches has partnered with NRCAT to build momentum in Minnesota to end torture. In order to stop this practice, we are:
- Increasing awareness of U.S.-sponsored torture. MCC staff or a local church volunteer can facilitate a presentation with a video and scripture-based discussion guide on the topic of U.S.-sponsored torture tailored for Catholic, evangelical, mainline, Jewish, Muslim or Unitarian Universalist congregations. (To see the video, click here. To arrange one of these discussions in your faith community, e-mail Jerad Morey or call (612) 230-3211.
- Growing the movement in Minnesota against U.S.-sponsored torture. Discussion participants who feel so called are asked to sign the NRCAT statement urging creation of a Commission of Inquiry into U.S. torture practices, as well as to participate in related campaigns such as closing Guantanamo Bay and asking the Department of Justice to release its report on the conduct of the “torture lawyers.”
- Promoting Torture Awareness Month in June. Learn more about resources and action opportunities for congregations.
Please join us in taking action as people of faith to put an end to U.S.-sponsored torture.
NRCAT's definition of torture is the same as that contained in the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which defines torture as "any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions."
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