“Remember those in prison as though you yourself were in prison with them; those who are being tortured as though you yourselves were being tortured.”

—Hebrews  13:3

June 26 is a day commemorated by torture treatment centers around the world.  We express our solidarity with survivors, their families and their communities, and rededicate ourselves to healing the wounds of torture and to ending torture worldwide.

For communities of faith, June 26 is a time when you can engage members of your congregation in expressing support for survivors of torture through prayer and reflection.

Below are a few resources for sermons, readings and articles reflecting on human rights from a faith perspective.

National Religious Campaign Against Torture
The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) joins people of faith committed to ensuring that the United States does not engage in torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment of anyone, without exceptions. NRCAT is a campaign of national, regional, and local religious and secular organizations.

Rabbis for Human Rights- North America
Rabbis for Human Rights-North America is a rabbinic organization dedicated to education, advocacy, prayer, and action in support of human rights. New initiatives are focusing on human rights in the United States. 

Evangelicals for Human Rights
Evangelicals for Human Rights has issued an Evangelical Declaration Against Torture which addresses the evangelical understanding and commitment to a biblical understanding of human rights and advocates the application of that commitment in the conduct of the U.S. war on terror.

National Association of Evangelicals
The NAE recently adopted the Evangelical Declaration Against Torture.

Materials for Christian communities:

Torture and Faith Readings (PDF)

A Christian's Stand Against Torture (PDF)

Friends Committee on National Legislation
The Friends Committee on National Legislation and volunteers work with a nationwide network of tens of thousands of people from many different races, religions, and cultures to advocate social and economic justice, peace, and good government.