Tom Rees summarizes a recent study that measured religion, politics and approval of torture:
What [the study] found was consistent with a set up where religion makes people conservative, and that in turn makes them support torture. In other words, religion has a direct and an
indirect effect. Basic religion (in their model) opposes torture, but it also increases support for conservative politics. As a result, it indirectly increases support for torture.
What's more, this indirect effect was much stronger in in educated people. In educated people, religion is more likely to be linked to conservative views, and conservative views are more likely to be linked to support for torture.
The Dish 