Church of the Brethren condemns torture

(RNS) Members of the Church of the Brethren condemned torture as a “blatant violation of the tenets of our faith” at their annual meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa. Delegates adopted a Resolution Against Torture, which described a biblical foundation for peace and a statement of “confession” for members who became “desensitized and complacent” to the use […]

(RNS) Members of the Church of the Brethren condemned torture as a “blatant violation of the tenets of our faith” at their annual meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Delegates adopted a Resolution Against Torture, which described a biblical foundation for peace and a statement of “confession” for members who became “desensitized and complacent” to the use of torture, according to a church news release.

“This is an importance step to take,” said Duane Ediger of Chicago’s First Church of Brethren, denouncing the prisoner abuses at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison.


Leah Hileman, who presented the resolution, asked Brethren to not only look at overseas prisons, but also to watch their television sets and become more aware of violent scenes in shows such as Fox’s “24.”

“That’s not who we are,” she said.

Delegates turned down amendments that would have included opposition to mental, emotional and sexual abuse; the resolution remained focus against all forms of violence.

With about 125,000 members across the world, the Church of the Brethren is one of the historic “Peace Churches,” along with the Mennonites and Quakers, that embrace pacifism over war and violence.

“The question still is, `What would Jesus do?”‘ Hileman said. “The answer is that Jesus wouldn’t be in a room pushing a prisoner to his limit.”

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!