Where Is The Church Of Your Fathers?

The religion of our fathers pursued a more holistic view of life.  They had to read the entire holy book themselves.  They did not have the luxury of watching televangelists that made sure your money could buy that ticket to heaven.  They were more respectful of human life because it supported their own survival.  Less than 100 years ago, the population was less dense and intrusive, therefore the welfare of another human was more critical to the whole community.  There were very strict enforcements when laws were broken inside the congregation, but outsiders were seldom held to the same standard, unless they presented a threat to the community. But, torture?  Please show where any holy book describes torture as an acceptable representation of faith.  In early America, The Salem Witch Trials exampled religion turning to cult status.  More reasonable minds finally intervened, putting rule of law in front of charismatic fear mongering.  Prior to that, the Spanish Inquisition made One of the blackest marks on Christian history … funny how most Christians today cannot speak intelligently about THOSE facts.  But, perspective puts the most regrettable mark on how Christians imposed their “superior” faith onto the indigenous people of the western continents and Africa.  Unfamiliar Christians today appear to be sliding backwards into the cult mentality of those black days that are so conveniently forgotten.  In the name of GOD, ALLAH, G~~~, Yahweh or El PAPA it is not civilized to torture. Justification comes from the ‘cult’ mentality choice of CONTROL or PAIN.  This survey is a glaring spotlight into what religion has become which is far from its origins. To address unknowable fears, offer practical rules for survival and comfort souls through the power of mystery.

The Religious Dimensions of the Torture Debate

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The more often Americans go to church, the more likely they are to support the torture of suspected terrorists, according to a new survey.

• 742 American adults surveyed on use of torture against suspected terrorists
• 54 percent of those who go to services at least weekly say it’s often or sometimes OK
• In survey, people unaffiliated with any religious group were least likely to back torture
• President of National Association of Evangelicals yet to comment on survey

White evangelical Protestants were the religious group most likely to say torture is often or sometimes justified — more than six in 10 supported it. People unaffiliated with any religious organization were least likely to back it. Only four in 10 of them did.

The analysis is based on a Pew Research Center survey of 742 American adults conducted April 14-21. It did not include analysis of groups other than white evangelicals, white non-Hispanic Catholics, white mainline Protestants and the religiously unaffiliated, because the sample size was too small.  See results of the survey »

Faith in Flux: Religious Change in the U.S.