Every action has consequences. In the case of the Iraq invasion in 2003 there have been many, and none of them have been for the better. The result has been increased danger to world peace, and hatred has become the driving force behind countries and politicians. Additional terrorist groups have arisen, as the region became totally destabilized.

Although there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein was a despot, under his rule Christians were allowed to openly express their faith without repercussion. The creation of ISIS is the direct result of the United States invasion and prolonged war in Iraq. Adding to it in recent years is America’s involvement in Syria.

Today Christians in the region are being slaughtered. They must hide their faith and their families to protect them from murder or worse.

Egyptian Copts have been targeted by the terrorist group. They are Christian, Egyptian citizens, and compose approximately ten percent of Egypt’s population.

In February, 2015, ISIS lined up 21 members of the Coptic Church along a beach. They were brutally murdered. They continued to be slaughtered throughout 2015, the latest on December 29, when seven Copts were taken from the bus returning them to Egypt from Libya. A few days later another group was taken from their sleeping quarters in Sirt.

Christians in the Middle East have become the hunted. Jihadist extremists seek the annihilation of any man, woman, or child who is not supportive of sharia law.

GOP presidential hopefuls continue their denial and seek to blame President Obama for the proliferation of ISIS. The President is guilty of one act in the region; he succumbed to the wishes of GOP legislators and offered aid to the insurgents in Syria. Many of the weapons intended to aid in the fight against President Assad are now in the hands of ISIS.

ISIS’ goal is a holy war. They hope that the United States and its allies will designate all Muslims as the enemy. Their numbers will grow tenfold from those who may never have been radicalized without politics of ignorance and hatred.

Defeating ISIS means defeating their message. Teaching the American people to fear and hate all Muslims will prove disastrous for our nation and the world.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Global X

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