Why We Have No ISIS Strategy
A culture, lacking recourse to the transcendent, will be unable to seek the reconciliation that comes from genuine repentance
In the words of scholar N.T. Wright, they want, “to reap the fruit, but sever the root.” In so doing, they refuse to see what Nietzsche so clearly did — the real, horrific consequences of a world finally free from the God of Moses and Jesus. Alexander Schmemann elaborates: “Here, in this paradox, is the whole... Continue Reading
How To Make A Just War Unjust In One Simple Step: ISIS Edition
If ever there was cause that meets the criteria of classical "Just War" theory, I believe this is it
We seem to be voluntarily entering a war with no intention of success. This will have the effect of emboldening these barbarians and causing more, not less, misery and destruction in the long term. The irony is unbearable: We have here an opportunity to get involved in a truly just and moral cause, but because of... Continue Reading
Pray for ISIS
Setting aside politics, anger, outrage and instead looking to God in faith, I must pray. Yet how should I pray?
As I have read the news, I have been angry at Islamic radicals and at our incompetent president and his weak foreign policy. I have been saddened by the loss of culture and concerned for the well-being of my Christian brothers and sisters, many of whom have fled their homes and sought refuge in Kurdish... Continue Reading
ISIS Forces Last Iraqi Christians to Flee Mosul
By 1 p.m. on Friday almost every Christian in Mosul had heard the Sunni militants’ message — they had until noon Saturday to leave the city
A YouTube video shows ISIS taking sledgehammers to the tomb of Jonah, something that was also confirmed by Mr. Hikmat. The militants also removed the cross from St. Ephrem’s Cathedral, the seat of the Syriac Orthodox archdiocese in Mosul, and put up the black ISIS flag in its place. BAGHDAD — By 1 p.m.... Continue Reading
ISIS Begins Imposing Poll Tax on Christians in Mosul
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has begun imposing the jizya, a poll tax, on Christian citizens in Mosul
ISIS “is imposing on Christians a minimum payment of $250, with amount varying depending on the type of work/profession performed by Christian citizens.” She further said that “the economic situation in Mosul is extremely difficult, and there are no financial resources or job opportunities except for vegetable shops, any other businesses are non-existent. MOSUL,... Continue Reading