STRATEGIES TO ACCOMMODATE, ACCEPT, OR JUSTIFY TORTURE

[gully]

STRATEGIES TO ACCOMMODATE, ACCEPT, OR JUSTIFY TORTURE

"How do we as human beings allow torture to occur in our midst? How is such a cruel and inhumane activity that has been so widely condemned allowed to persist? How do the citizens of a state accommodate themselves to the presence of torture within the state? How do weæas individuals, groups, governments, and culturesæcome to accept and even support it? How do we justify its occurrence?

The extensive literature in this area has attempted to identify some factors that help answer these questions. The most common strategies of accommodation, acceptance, or justification include relying on state authority and formal orders, using abstraction and other linguistic transformations, dehumanizing victims, sanctioning revenge, preventing destruction, making the torturer the victim, obtaining essential information, denying relationship or responsibility, and denying the existence of torture.

Sound familiar? Read on >>>

One of the bluntest ways that people can accommodate torture in their midst is to deny that it exists, usually by dismissing any signs, reports, or evidence of torture as lies, exaggerations, or mistakes. The reality of torture may be so overwhelming that individuals act quickly to convince themselves that it is not, would not, could not be occurring in their midst. If they can accept the premise that the torture is not occurring, then there is no need to confront the reality of torture, no need to seek additional information and take action. They face neither the fears and risks of acting to stop the torture nor the shame and guilt of doing nothing to stop the infliction of pain and suffering on their fellow human beings. They are free to go about their lives as if the torture were not happening for they have convinced themselves that the torture is not happening.

Although many people seem to engage in forms of this denial on their own, those who order and inflict torture may foster this approach. They may flatly, vigorously, and convincingly state that no torture is occurring. They may spread false information and manufacture bogus evidence to support their claims. They may provide arguments and evidence that anyone who reports torture is lying, exaggerating, or mistaken.

NOTE: This chapter, "Torture,” by Ken Pope, appeared in Encyclopedia of Women and Gender: Sex similarities and Differences and the Impact of Society on Gender edited by Judith Worell and published by Academic Press, October, 2001

Extensive information at link > http://www.kspope.com/torvic/torture-abst.php#strategies

An aside - torture during "witch trials" was condoned by many churches:

http://home.comcast.net/~burokerl/torture_and_death_for_accused_witches.htm

Long before the famed Salem Witch Trials, thousands upon thousands of men, women, and even children were being tortured and massacred throughout Europe. These horrible acts were even condoned by the churches. Towards the end of the thirteenth century witchcraft was proclaimed an act punishable by death. But death did not come easy to those accused.

All across Europe fingers began to fly. Accusations were made, and the guilty party was often tortured and made to confess to witchcraft and evil deeds. No evidence was needed to convict. Europe became obsessed with ridding themselves of witches. Witch hunters popped up all throughout the Continent. Books were published on the subject, perhaps the best known was " The Malleus Maleficarum." It was a guidebook on how what to look for in a witch and how to successfully kill them. France and Germany were especially known for their gruesome punishments.

History repeating itself before our very eyes.

[Avalux]

1. "Coercion"

I have heard a few people on the right insist what Bushco has been doing and wants to continue doing is nothing more than coercion, while they completely avoid the word torture. The analogy of witch hunts is a good one - time may go on, but human nature doesn't change, does it?

[Philosoraptor]

2. We torture to save lives, we torture for peace

[gully]

4. If only I were thinking correctly about this.

War is peace as well dontcha know?

[niceypoo]

3. We torture because nobody can tell us what to do...

...gawd help us!

[gully]

5. k

ick

[gully]

6. This will come in handy if we use it correctly.nt