Religious Statements

Friends' Statements: see statements condemning torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment and statements supporting the Quaker Initiative to End Torture.

National Council of Churches, November 2005, General Assembly issues "A Statement on the Disavowal of Torture."

National Religious Campaign Against Torture (Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs) issues "Torture Is a Moral Issue" statement and seeks signatories.

International Federation of Actions by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT) encourages 2006 Campaign : Proposals for a Joint Declaration from all Churches on the Abolition of Torture.

"5 Reasons Torture Is Always Wrong" by Dr. David P. Gushee (leading evangelical theologian), Christianity Today, February 2006.

Also, see the Articles page for a reprint of Dr. Gushee's article before editing from his website.

US Conference of Catholic Bishops:

• "Statement on Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners," May 14, 2004
• "Letter to House and Senate Conferees on Human Rights and Torture," by Bishop John H. Ricard, July 12, 2004
• "Letter to Conferees on Punishment of Persons Under Custody"