What the Hell Kind of Country Do We Live In? (Part 2)

December 12, 2014

10:02 AM

Screen Capture

CIA Torture Report

The now-unclassified cover of the CIA Torture Report.

First it was no indictment for the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson. Next it was no indictment for the choke-hold death of Eric Garner in New York City. Then it was the police shooting death of Rumain Brisbon in Phoenix. And now, the congressional report on how the CIA used "enhanced interrogation techniques" -- torture -- on suspected terrorists after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Hands up. Don't shoot. I can't breathe. A father killed while bringing his children food. Unspeakable acts of torture.

Vomit bags, anyone?

John McCain: CIA Torture Ineffective, Stains USA

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), supports the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on torture by the Central Intelligence Agency.

These events shock us out of a sweet and sentimental anticipation of the birth of "Baby Jesus, meek and mild." In the estimated 2,014 years (give or take a few) since God became incarnate through Jesus, human nature has waxed and waned between civilization and barbarity. This year it seems our barbarism is winning out over the better angels of our natures. In fact, we face a direct challenge to separate our faith in the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation from our reliance on the fascist-leaning practices of a country that fails to recognize its own sin. (No, Mr. Cheney, the report on CIA torture is not "full of crap," unless you define "crap" as the horrendous, vengeful injuries of body, mind and spirit inflicted on prisoners by U. S. military and intelligence operatives).

If we compare our current state of affairs to the Nativity stories in the gospels, we find ourselves in the loathsome position of Imperial Rome, not those of the wonderstruck shepherds, the searching magi, nor even the downtrodden Jews. Just as Rome did in Jesus' time, we Americans, Christians included, have been ruthless, bloody tyrants, employing every despicable means at our disposal to enslave and oppress those people we deem to be inferior. The revelations of these past weeks and months confirm this awful truth.

To celebrate this Advent, we can't simply sing hymns of anticipation, give presents to those whose needs aren't met, and light pretty candles. We must BE the hope we proclaim, holy and living sacrifices of love in the midst of heinous evil. A supernova of truth has exploded in our faces, and we can't hide from its disclosing light.

The good news of Advent 2014 is that many of us have already seen the light and responded. Thousands of Christians have marched in protest of the unjust deaths of Brown, Garner, Brisbon and hundreds of other black men. Conversations have begun between white people who enjoy America's privilege and people of color who suffer America's discrimination, about how we together can build an equitable and just nation. This coming Sunday, Dec. 14, has been named "Black Lives Matter" Sunday, and preachers in pulpits across this land will proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ – that all lives matter, that God loves all unconditionally, and that we are all called to do the same.

Let's not deceive ourselves. We will face opposition, derision, detention and physical danger in witnessing to God's love in the midst of the evil we have become. At such times, let us neither shirk nor cringe, but draw strength and courage from our God, who has kept the promise of our salvation through the Incarnation of Jesus, the Christ.

In place of the disgust, despair, and fear we now know as our true national identity has been revealed, let's repent with words and actions that echo the defiant joy of Mary's Song of Praise (Luke 1:46-55, NRSV):

And Mary said,

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,

   and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

   and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him

   from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

   and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

   and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

   in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Cynthia B. Astle, a veteran journalist and certified spiritual director, serves as coordinator of United Methodist Insight.

The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Comments (4)

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Two points

One: There is not one shed of evidence that the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner were the result of racism. Two: While torture is abhorrent, so is flying airplanes into buildings and killing nearly 3,000 innocent people. It's easy to sit here 13 years after 9/11 and criticize what was done but in the aftermath, when anxiety levels and fears of another attack were high, I'm not sure the answer is quite so simple.

DW more than 10 years ago

A Moral Crisis

Cynthia Astle, I salute you. Torture is wrong. Whether Iran or China or the United States does it, it is wrong. Once one gets the mind around that, the side arguments disappear. It does not matter whether those on the receiving end of the torture were guilty or innocent. We have in place due processes of justice to punish the guilty, and we owe repentance and restitution to those who were innocent. It distresses me that many of those we tortured had nothing to do with 9/11; one such man I name here, Khalid al-Masri, a German citizen who was picked up by the CIA on an apparent case of mistaken identity. His life was ruined by the brutality inflicted on him. Eric Garner and Michael Brown were victims of violence generated by institutional racism as public policy. I have read and listened to commentary on both torture and police brutality, and I fear that although we have more Christians than any other nation, our basic morality and our ability to engage in moral reasoning are in deep trouble.

Ann Locasio more than 10 years ago

National idendity

Hands up don't shoot is an urban myth perpetuated by people trying to paint a vicious thug as a martyr. The interrogation techniques while repugnant are understandable given the circumstances. The fact that we can openly debate this topic tells us what kind of country we are part of and I am proud of that. I remember as a young Navy officer making a port call to an unstable part of the world and how the local Americans there greeted us and told us how reassuring it was to see their flag flying over the ship. Some of them moved to tears because they knew their country was watching out for them.

"the disgust, despair, and fear we now know as our true national identity" and with these words Ms. Astle reveals her identity. I do indeed feel disgust. Almost enough to make me vomit.

Kevin more than 10 years ago

Fascist leaning?

Are you serious? I suggest you review the events of 9-11-01. Take a look at the videos of planes crashing into buildings. Look at photos of people jumping from the twin towers to keep from being burned alive. Look at the fires at the Pentagon and listen to the tapes of people calling from United flight 93 to tell their families good-bye. Nearly 3,000 innocent people killed just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. While am not necessarily excusing everything that was done, if you are going to talk about horrendous, you need to start there.

DW more than 10 years ago