CIA, Torture and Sinful Nature
Note: The following blog post does not necessarily reflect the views of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area.
With the declassification of the report on the interrogation of terror suspects there has been much said about the behavior of some CIA operatives, simulated drowning by waterboarding, simulated executions by threatening with guns and drills, even going as far as threatening to kill someones family if there was another attack on the United States. Many people have cried out and said that such behavior is un-American and not becoming of the way the United States should operate in the world. Others have said that these were necessary actions to help prevent further attacks to Americans and that while some of them may have pushed the envelope of acceptable practice they are justified if they save lives.
What do I make of all this? Simple, I’m deeply saddened but not surprised by it. As a pastor/theologian I understand the nature of humanity is the nature of humanity and is not dependent on someone’s national identity. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that in our fallen nature, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” The apostle Paul reminds us that unless we have found freedom through Christ and live according to our new spirit-filled nature we are bound under the old sinful nature.
Tags: communications, ministry, mission
