- Phillip Kayser, Torture: A Biblical Critique, p. 17-18, http://biblicalblueprints.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Torture.pdf.
2.21.2016
Though hostiles from an aggressor nation could be made into
slaves for war reparations (Lev. 25:44-46; Josh. 9:23), all
Biblical slaves (indentured servants) had basic God-given
rights that would rule out torture: A) Beatings could only be
inflicted on slaves for clear-cut punishment for documented
disobedience (Luke 12:44-48). There is no evidence that slaves
could be beaten to extract information from them. Keep in
mind that “a child is no different from a slave” (Gal. 4:1). This
means that any corporal punishment that is ungodly for a
parent to inflict upon his child would also be ungodly to inflict
upon his slave. This first principle would clearly rule out
waterboarding. B) Second, slaves were always to be treated
with respect, and not with cruelty (Lev 25:46,53). Interrogation
techniques that are cruel or harsh should not be used. C)
Scripture protected slaves with the lex talionis principle just as it did any other citizen, and if permanent damage of any type
was inflicted on such a captive (Ex. 21:20-27), he was to be let
free (Ex. 21:26-27; Lev 24:19-22). Likewise, equivalent
punishment was to be inflicted on the torturer: “as he has done,
so shall it be done to him— fracture for fracture, eye for eye,
tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so
shall it be done to him… You shall have the same law for the
stranger and for one from your own country; for I am the
LORD your God.’ ” (Lev. 24:19-22).
2016-02-21T09:46:00-05:00
Mike W.
Military - Prisoners of War|Penology - Corporal Punishment|Penology - Mutilation|Torture|