Waterboarding: What Should We Think?
With a Republican president in office, the issue of waterboarding comes up…again. At this time, while Trump has indicated that he supports the use of waterboarding, he has also deferred to those who would be more directly over the program. This means that (as far as we can tell) waterboarding is not being used by the U.S. government (apparently).
The subject of waterboarding is one of those touchy issues that can be quite divisive. On the one hand, many conservatives – including many Christians – feel confident that waterboarding is an acceptable way to elicit information from POWs. Many might argue that it is not torture. On the other hand, some people (like myself) see it is as a form of cruelty and an abandonment of moral principle. What should we think of it?
Rather than share my own thoughts, allow me to share a few links so that you can come to your own opinion. To begin, consider a quote from President Eisenhower:
“Because, therefore, we are defending a way of life, we must be respectful of that way of life as we proceed to the solution of our problem. We must not violate its principles and its precepts, and we must not destroy from within what we are trying to defend from without.” (Speech before NATO Council, 11/26/51)
New Documents Show the US Called Waterboarding Torture During World War II – This article provides a historical backdrop for the debate by showing that waterboarding was used by Japanese forces against US soldiers; it also reveals how the United States responded.
Believe Me, It’s Torture – This is a first-hand account of a gentleman who volunteered to be waterboarded. His vivid description will help to explain what waterboarding is all about, and how his personal experience helped him determine what he thinks of the practice (WARNING: this article is not written by a Christian. Not recommended for youth. A small amount of language).
On Board with Waterboarding? This article provides a Christian viewpoint for the waterboarding question. It suggests that waterboarding is a violation of the implications of the sixth commandment, and betrays a moral barbarism in our society.
Daniel,
Thanks for tackling this subject with biblical and historical perspective! A very important discussion and distinction. Mituso Fuchida, air leader of the attack on Pearl Harbor, came to faith in Christ in part because of the generous and kind treatment one of his fellow Japanese soldiers received at the hands of his American captors.
Interesting perspective well presented, in my humble opinion.
BLUF: i don’t think waterboarding is ‘torture’ as i understand torture–viz., a forceful act that damages its recipient–but, i agree that it is probably not a Scripturally righteous practice.
i have been waterboarded. In fact many of my peers have been waterboarded as part of SERE training required by the US Navy for servicemen headed to Vietnam in the 1970’s. (SERE=Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape). In addition to waterboarding, we were subjected to being slapped (open-handed, but HARD!), confined in a tiny box, deprived of sleep, etc. etc. While we knew it was training and we probably wouldn’t be ‘damaged’ by the training, the training did result in some students making very compromising statements to avoid ‘punishment.’
When i try to understand such treatment in a ‘Bible context,’ i consider admonitions to ‘love our enemies;’ but, i also consider God’s apparent approval of David lopping off Goliath’s head, followed by the Israelites decimating the Philistines, etc.
When i think about what i would do to get information out of a man who defiantly asserted that he had raped my daughter and knew where she was, but wouldn’t tell me…waterboarding wouldn’t be enough.
So, i come down on the side of those who say waterboarding may not be effective, but it is a tool that is not torture. And it might work to obtain information for a righteous cause. It it’s wrong (sin), it would fall among the other sins for which i must repent…thanking God for Jesus and His continued patience with me as i wobble toward sanctification.