Will ISIS Execute All Christians and Religious Minorities?

There is a tentative ceasefire in the tragic war between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in the death of over one thousand innocent people to date, and now the news from Iraq tells of another tragedy. 

Christians and other religious minorities have become the target of terrible persecution.  Thousands have fled to the Sinjar mountains and according to the media reports, they are starving and dying of thirst.   As I am writing these words, the news is spreading about forced conversions and the threat of execution for those who refuse.  At this point, we need confirmation of all the facts, but it shows what kind of extremists are in action over there.

It is necessary to remember that these religious minorities, who are now threatened with extermination, have been in the Middle East for centuries before Islam. While many were conquered and colonized, subsequently changing their religion, many others stayed faithful.  For more that a thousand years they had lived with Muslims in relative harmony.  It is no longer the case today.

The twenty-first century has begun with such a level of violent religious fanaticism that we thought impossible to happen again.

What can we do?  We have to pray and to do our best to help these victims.  This tragedy is a vivid reminder that religious freedom for all is a precious gift, but we will lose it if we don't defend and promote it with courage and determination.

-- Dr. John Graz, Secretary General, International Religious Liberty Association