Theology, International Law, and Torture: A Conference
on Human Rights and Religious Commitment

In the post-9/11 environment, the American Muslim community has finally
realized that it can no longer keep the rest of American society at arm’s length
while seeking to establish its own infrastructure and ensuring its continuity as
a distinct community. One example of this community’s increased participa-
tion in American civil society is its new-found interest in interfaith dialogue.
With such reasoning in mind, the Muslim community has partnered with var-
ious faith communities to create the National Religious Campaign against
Torture (NRCAT), which was launched during the “Theology, International
Law, and Torture: A Conference on Human Rights and Religious Commit-
ment” conference sponsored by Princeton Theological Seminary, 13-15 Janu-
ary 2006, in Princeton, New Jersey.

Religious leaders from across the nation, as well as Mohamed Elsanousi
(director, Communication and Community Outreach, Islamic Society of
North America [ISNA]) Mohammed Shafiq (executive director, Center for
Interfaith Studies and Dialogue, Nazareth College, and imam, Islamic
Center of Rochester); and Azhar Azeez (member, ISNA Executive Council

142 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 23:2



and director, Islamic Association of Carrollton) as representatives of ISNA,
worked together at this conference to build a powerful, spiritually based
coalition. Over 160 eminent religious and academic figures, authors, jour-
nalists, retired government and military officers, human rights activists, and
lawyers spoke.

During the conference presentations, it became clear that people of vari-
ous faiths shared an abhorrence of torture, were committed to educating their
respective communities about the issue, and were eager to join with other per-
sons of faith, including Muslims, to motivate their communities and pressure
the American government to disavow its use. Many speeches resonated
among the participants, regardless of their personal religious affiliation. 

During the plenary session, William T. Cavanaugh (associate professor
of theology, Department of Theology, University of St. Thomas) and author
of Eucharist and Torture [Blackwell Publishers: 1998]), said that in order to
create an anti-torture atmosphere, churches must sensitize Christians to
bring their lives more into accord with Biblical teachings and thus follow a
moral order, instead of the narrow goals required by nationalism.

Rev. George Hunsinger (professor of theology, Hazel Thompson
McCord Chair of Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary;
ordained Presbyterian minister; and founder of Church Folks for a Better
America) said: “Torture violates the basic dignity of the human person that
all religions hold dear. It degrades everyone involved – policymakers, per-
petrators and victims. It contradicts our nation’s most cherished ideals.
Any policies that permit torture and inhumane treatment are shocking and
morally intolerable.” The Congress and President Bush, he said, must end
ambiguities in the law regarding torture by making no exemptions in human
rights standards set by international law; ending extraordinary renditions
(sending suspects to countries that use torture); permitting the Red Cross
access to American-held detainees overseas; ending the existence of secret
American prisons; ending the practice of holding detainees without due
process; and stop trying to amend the ban against torture so as to permit
inhumane interrogation procedures. 

Several speakers welcomed the anti-torture amendment sponsored Sen.
John McCain (R-Arizona) and signed into law by President Bush as a step
forward, but expressed concern that when Bush signed it he also stated
that he reserved the right to view the law “in a manner consistent with
the President’s constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief.” Rev. Bob
Moore (director, Coalition for Peace Action) stated: “While we’re encour-
aged at the passage of the McCain amendment, there are so many loopholes

Conference, Symposium, and Panel Reports 143



around it.” He also said that it was time for the Church to speak out against
torture, an issue it has largely ignored.

Elsanousi outlined how ISNA could educate Muslims about the Islamic
strictures against such degrading treatment. For example, ISNA is preparing
resource materials (e.g., brochures and flyers) and plans to get the message
out through it bi-monthly magazine Islamic Horizons, conventions and
regional conferences, and its website and electronic newsletter. ISNA leader-
ship events across the nation will feature educational seminars and lectures,
and will encourage Muslims to endorse the statement “Torture is a moral
issue” online at www.nrcat.org. Citing the fear resulting from the Patriot Act,
he asked other faith groups to stand by Muslim Americans who speak out. 

Ray McGovern (founder, Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity),
who served as a CIA analyst for 27 years, mentioned that remaining silent
against the use torture in the name of the war on terror is as morally repre-
hensible as churches and clerics who did not speak out against Nazi atroci-
ties. He stressed: “Torture is not wrong because it’s condemned by law; it’s
condemned by law because it’s wrong.” 

Gen. (ret.) Richard O’Meara (professor of political science and soci-
ology, Kean University) asked religious leaders to speak against torture for
the sake of the soldiers as well. He declared: “We require them to go to
war and do terrible things, but we don’t require them to do dishonorable
things.” Rabbi Saul Berman (associate professor of Jewish studies,
Department of Jewish Studies, Yeshiva University) said that the Hebrew
scriptures state clearly that since humanity was created in God’s image,
torture violates the divine within each of its victims. Rev. Ron Sider (pres-
ident, Evangelicals for Social Action) said that although evangelicals have
not yet spoken with vigor on this issue, there is a growing movement
among them to condemn torture. He gave the example of David Gushee’s
article in Christianity Today, an evangelical magazine, explaining why
Christians oppose torture. 

The unanimous agreement regarding the spiritual objections to torture,
coupled with the determination to work together and the welcome afforded
to the Muslim community at this conference, engendered the participants
with a sense of hope that torture can be combated and that this country’s
faith groups can work together effectively.

Mohamed Elsanousi
ISNA, Director of Communications and Community Outreach

Plainfield, Indiana
SJ.D. Candidate, School of Law

Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

144 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 23:2