Inhumanity to Humanity – A Resolution
Whereas, The world in which we live is increasingly unsettled and insecure; and
Whereas, There is a need for national leadership that is both vigilant and willing to do the hard work of understanding differences, furthering God’s justice for all peoples, leading with fidelity to its own best values, and adhering to the highest principles of international law; and
Whereas, The government of the United States has used its agencies, like the C.I.A., to kidnap alleged enemies and transport them to secret prisons in countries that allow torture; and
Whereas, The government of the United States has used detention centers under the government’s command where alleged enemies are held for years, often under inhumane conditions and treatment, without charge or trial; and
Whereas, The government of the United States has ignored our own Constitution and violated the Geneva Convention of 1948 in the name of “security and survival,” thereby debasing our nation and showing ourselves to be little better than our enemies, in which case, our enemy has won; and
Whereas, The government of the United States has, like Esau in the Hebrew Scriptures, traded our national birthright for the illusion of momentary safety; and
Whereas, We perceive these actions by our government to be counter-productive as they undermine our nation’s moral leadership in the world, mock the values on which we were founded, and incite hostility aimed at our nation; and
Whereas, The 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. has declared in 2006: “Every person…being infinitely valuable in the sight of God…is entitled to the rights…inherent…as human beings;” and
Whereas, Torture or inhumane treatment is inimical to the teachings of Jesus Christ and repugnant to our moral sensibilities as Christians; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Presbytery of Albany in stated session February 2, 2008:
- Reject and rebuke the national policies and practices that condone or allow torture or imprisonment without charge, trial or representation;
- Call on others to join with us in exercising their democratic right and duty, so that, in these times of fear and immoral action, we will be a voice of conscience for our beloved nation, calling our leaders to embrace the highest moral leadership for the well-being of our nation and the world;
- Communicate this action to all presbyteries, synods and the General Assembly;
- Communicate this action to our representatives in the federal legislature, and to the President of the United States.