Centuries of Christian ethical reflection would lead to the answer "no." Inflicting bodily or psychological harm on a helpless captive would be inconsistent with the Christian understanding of human dignity. But as with all moral obligations, there may be circumstances for exception.

It is well understood in Christian tradition that while we are supposed to obey the law, there may be times when there is a higher obligation (see Aquinas, Augustine, and Martin Luther King). To rescue a drowning person, a Christian would be justified in disobeying a "no trespassing" sign.

So it is with torture; if a competent authority honestly believed that this was the only way to get information that might save the lives of thousands, I believe he would be justified. That is not moral relativism. It is making a difficult decision when human life and dignity will be affected either way. The Greeks called it prudence.

The public fascination with sex goes back to the Garden of Eden. It has been an issue in virtually every presidential campaign, and at the root of most great British scandals as well. Why?

Because sex outside of marriage is inherently titillating; and there is endless public fascination with the subject—and always has been. America is no more obsessed with sex scandals than the Greeks and Romans were.

From the Christian perspective, sex outside of marriage does violate God’s commands. It is a sin that Christians should go to great length to avoid. Sex out of marriage may seem glamorous and adventuresome; but the fact is somebody is always hurt.

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