Torture is a very sensitive subject to address. It is not something we, as everyday civilians, usually
consider. Torture is defined as “the action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a
punishment or to force them to do or say something, or for the pleasure of the person inflicting
the pain” (Merriam-Webster). This country seems to be divided as to the opinion on the use of
torture as a tactic to gain information from those people suspected of terrorism. There are many
angles to looking at the topic of torture. The first is the Utilitarianism.
The Utilitarianism view states that it would be acceptable to torture someone if it meant
that it would save the lives of many people. The utilitarian looks out for the sake of the people,
rather than the person being tortured. In reviewing this type of perspective, a Christian could say
that torturing that person would be cruel and unusual and would violate Christian ethics of peace,
love, and honoring thy neighbor. God commanded us to love others as we love ourselves, and
this would be an act of defiance against God.
Another way to look at the topic of torture is by using Kantian duty-based ethics. This
views the terrorist subject not as a means to an end, but rather as then end. This point of view
looks at morality first as priority when deciding if torture is necessary. The person doing the
torturing must be fulfilling a duty in order to fit into this type of view on the issue.
The virtue ethic stance on torture states that there would need to be a justified reason for
the torture, or else the torture should not take place at all. This is because the person doing the
torture may quite possibly enjoy that type of behavior, and therefore, it must be justified in order
for them to be able to proceed. Duty and patriotism go hand in hand for this category.
Lastly, we as Christians must look at torture with a Christian ethics mindset. God tells us
to love thy enemy, and turn the other cheek. But what if the fate of the entire nation is at stake?
We are to bestow love upon our enemies, but we are also to protect our family and those that we
love. This would mean that if the terrorist was threatening harm to my family or loved ones, I
would have a duty to both protect my family, and show the terrorist mercy and compassion.
Which do we choose as Christians? How do we know what is right in the eyes of the
Lord? I personally feel that if it were me, and my family’s safety was being threatened by one
terrorist, I’m going to go with protecting my family. If I were put into a situation where my kids,
my parents, or people I care about were in immediate danger, I’m going to again protect my