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trotsky

(49,533 posts)
Thu Jun 30, 2016, 04:11 PM Jun 2016

Trump, torture and religion: Why the Christian Right has flocked to the GOP nominee

http://www.salon.com/2016/06/30/trump_torture_and_religion_why_the_christian_right_has_flocked_to_the_gop_nominee/

...I have long wondered why serious Christians would support a man who openly endorses torture, war crimes and cruel and unusual punishment. It seems counter-intuitive since the most famous torture victim in world history is Jesus Christ. But a Washington Post/ABC poll from 2014 showed American evangelical Christians are more supportive of torture than those who are not religious. Sarah Posner reported:

Remarkably, the gap between torture supporters and opponents widens between voters who are Christian and those who are not religious. Just 39% of white evangelicals believe the CIA’s treatment of detainees amounted to torture, with 53% of white non-evangelical Protestants and 45% of white Catholics agreeing with that statement. Among the non-religious, though, 72% said the treatment amounted to torture. (The poll did not break down non-Christian religions in the results.)


Scary background info about James Dobson in there too. I didn't want to quote it here. *shudder*
15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Trump, torture and religion: Why the Christian Right has flocked to the GOP nominee (Original Post) trotsky Jun 2016 OP
Christians have been torturing people for centuries Angry Dragon Jun 2016 #1
Still are. cleanhippie Jul 2016 #12
k and r and bookmarking for later (cannot read about dobby on an empty stomach) niyad Jun 2016 #2
Capacity of Athiests to Torture newcriminal Jun 2016 #3
Religion is the Waterboarding of the Masses Turkey Manhatten Jun 2016 #4
Hi newcriminal. trotsky Jul 2016 #5
What is it in Christianity that encourages tolerance to torture? Lordquinton Jul 2016 #11
I think our new friend realized s/he was in too deep. cleanhippie Jul 2016 #13
When the symbol of a religion is a torture device Lordquinton Jul 2016 #15
I think that Christains edhopper Jul 2016 #6
That's a very good point. trotsky Jul 2016 #7
I see the same thing edhopper Jul 2016 #8
Gandhi said iandhr Jul 2016 #9
FYI... trotsky Jul 2016 #10
It's worth pointing out the people who were getting tortured were non-Christians Major Nikon Jul 2016 #14

cleanhippie

(19,705 posts)
12. Still are.
Wed Jul 6, 2016, 10:16 PM
Jul 2016

Although it depends on ones POV, as incessant prosetylizers knocking on doors, littering with pamphlets, and zealots taking away rights may be perceived as torture.

 

newcriminal

(2,190 posts)
3. Capacity of Athiests to Torture
Thu Jun 30, 2016, 10:09 PM
Jun 2016

Hi Trotsky, I'm new here.

I had a question for you in response to your post.

Do you think that torture is more popular with evangelical Christians because of something related to biblical text, or do you attribute it to another reason?

I don't particularly view anything in Christianity as encouraging torture, and both christian and atheist leaders alike have historically engaged in the act. I'm curious to know what you think.

Turkey Manhatten

(10 posts)
4. Religion is the Waterboarding of the Masses
Thu Jun 30, 2016, 11:13 PM
Jun 2016

New Criminal,

Have you ever read the bible? It's full of stoning and King David going around chopping off peoples foreskins. One of the most revered apostles, Paul, was going around torturing Christians before his conversion. Violence and scripture are completely intertwined.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
5. Hi newcriminal.
Fri Jul 1, 2016, 09:06 AM
Jul 2016

Could you tell me what teaching of atheism that "atheist leaders" were following when they tortured people?

I can point to several questionable bible verses about severe punishment, torture, and murder (usually either condoned or outright commanded by god), but I'm at a loss to find out what in atheism teaches people to do so.

Or was it perhaps more in the way of action against the ideological competitors of communism, rather than atheism?

Lordquinton

(7,886 posts)
15. When the symbol of a religion is a torture device
Mon Jul 11, 2016, 12:59 PM
Jul 2016

No one should be surprised when their adherents are attracted to those who promise torture.

edhopper

(33,208 posts)
6. I think that Christains
Fri Jul 1, 2016, 09:11 AM
Jul 2016

Last edited Fri Jul 1, 2016, 10:38 AM - Edit history (1)

particularly evangelicals in this country have a stronger sense of "the Other" than most other groups here.
These could lead to be more at ease with torture, especially since it is done to brown skinned Muslims.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
7. That's a very good point.
Fri Jul 1, 2016, 09:26 AM
Jul 2016

Religion has historically amplified our innate tendencies toward tribalism.

edhopper

(33,208 posts)
8. I see the same thing
Fri Jul 1, 2016, 10:40 AM
Jul 2016

with the Hasidim in New York. And of course the extreme Muslims take it to a nth level.

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