Faith organizations applaud Obama's torture ban

For many who celebrate President Barack Obama's order requiring adherence to the U.S. Army Field for interrogation, the labor toward restoration of that standard was a matter of religious faith.

Faith in Public Life says it well:

For three years, religious leaders and organizations from across the faith and ideological spectrum have worked tirelessly to end America’s torture of detainees in its custody. Today, the faith community applauds President Obama’s executive orders banning torture, closing the prisons at Guantanamo Bay and secret locations, ensuring Red Cross access to all detainees, and ending extraordinary rendition. Together, we call for continuing diligence in the effort to ensure the US government never tortures again

Four religious organizations which had led the struggle against torture are listed in today's blog:

• Evangelicals for Human Rights, the leading Evangelical voice against U.S.-sponsored torture.
• National Religious Campaign Against Torture, a multi-faith coalition of more than 200 religious organizations and which includes diverse Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders.
• Rabbis for Human Rights North America, the leading voice of the Jewish community against U.S.-sponsored torture.
• Faithful America, an 80,000-member online community of people of faith.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also pushed for and applauds the ban.

There are others.

That order and the attendant move to close the Guantanamo Bay facility are prayers answered, promises kept, justice and honor restored.

We are more secure as a consequence of this good thing, not less.