Religious Americans support torture most

The very idea that the nation founded by men like Thomas Jefferson has degenerated to the level that it supports torture astounds me. And sickens me. It is a blot on the American reputation but then these days the government is so power hungry, and yearning for a global empire, that it should not surprise me. A recent Pew poll asked Americans if they support the use the torture. Choices were "often", "sometimes", "rarely", or "never".

Only 32% said never. But the more religious a person the more likely they were to support the use of torture. And Catholics, perhaps fondly yearning for the Inquisition, or maybe the rap of Sister's ruler on their knuckles, are more likely to support torture than any one else. Only 26% of Catholics said "never". But 72% supported the use of torture at times with 21% doing so often. Only 31% of Protestants, both liberal and fundamentalist, opposed torture. And 41% of those who describe themselves as "secular" oppose the use of torture.

So the non-believers were the one group least likely to support the use of torture. And people argue that religion gives one a moral compass!