David Gushee Challenges Huckabee

Last week I asked a few faith leaders their thoughts on former Governor Mike Huckabee's newfound leadership in the Christian right and how it correlates to torture. After hearing back from Faith in Public Life's executive director Rev. Jennifer Butler and UCC President Rev. John Thomas essentially saying that Huckabee can represent a bridge on this issue, we hear a little different from another leader.

Again the question:

As a faith leader yourself, and someone who has adamantly opposed torture, what do you believe former Governor Mike Huckabee's role in condoning or opposing torture is in regards to his newfound leadership in the religious right?

David Gushee, president of Evangelicals for Human Rights, addressed torture at the recent Compassion Forum to Senator Barack Obama. He has some strong words for the former governor.

I believe that no evangelical leader has moral credibility who does not oppose torture unequivocally. I invite Governor Huckabee to sign our "Evangelical Declaration Against Torture" and to help end evangelical ambivalence about this issue. Based on statements he has made on this issue, I am hopeful he will do so. That will be real moral leadership!

Mr. Gushee's remarks are in my opinion right on the mark. If Mr. Huckabee wishes to take on the role as the next leader of the Christian right with his newfound PAC, or as a few pundits have remarked – to be the vice presidential nominee, then he needs to show true moral leadership and take a stand against torture. He needs to join the thousands of people who are standing together to say that it is illegal and it is immoral.

That is what this campaign is all about – religious bloggers taking a stand and asking a leader to join us. We do not do this to score political points. We do this to say no more to a practice that threatens our nation's standing around world as a beacon of freedom and democracy. Simply torture is un-American.

Mr. Gushee has invited Mr. Huckabee to sign the Evangelical Declaration Against Torture just as we have. It truly would be a sign of real moral leadership.

Originally written for Faithfully Liberal and Street Prophets
By Aaron Krager