I appears that a large number of Christians still advocate the use of torture. How are we to explain this seemingly contradictory stance? The answer that immediately comes to mind is that Christians have not thought this out. Does this not go counter to Christian morality? Are Christians being duped? At first glance it seems that they are.

Wrath being one of the Deadly Sins.

Thanks to Paul, for hundreds of years suffering and dying in the name of Jesus was not only acceptable, it was willingly, even eagerly, sought after. There was St. Catherine of Siena, who thought she was "too good for this world" and craved martyrdom. I recall reading about a monk (whose name I forget, but it might have been St. Wulfilas) who rejoiced on being sent across the Rhine to convert the barbarians because it would give him an opportunity be killed for his faith, a rare thing in the Christianized remnants of the Roman Empire in which he lived.

These people who find torture acceptable are the same ones who pick and choose their religious precepts, condemning one day and condoning the next.