The Writing Is In the Sand
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| ICHTUS |
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| Muslim "Nun" Symbol |
Christians, way before the 3rd century, were using symbols to communicate their faith. They used the symbol of the
Let's Break This Down
Seeing a posting about how Christians today are being beheaded and made to leave their homes, I wanted to learn more. Reading over article after article, I came across an article written by Rod Dreher (July 19th, 2014) where he states "The genocidal Muslims of ISIS used it to mark Christian houses, businesses, and properties" the article continues that these individuals (ISIS) are using this mark as a mark of shame (The American Conservative, Mosul Christians: And Then There Were Nun). This is a great article to read because I really liked how it expressed that ISIS are using this as a mark of shame, but in reality and for those of faith, it is a mark of hope.
ISIS is a collection of individuals that have broken from another group more recognizable called Al-Qaeda. What is the deal with ISIS? Here is another great article pointing out what they want, compiled by Zack Beauchamp (August 8th, 2014), Beauchamp states that "ISIS wants to establish a caliphate" (Vox, 16 things about ISIS and Iraq you need to know). What's a caliphate? Basically a caliphate is led by a caliph, who would be the political and religious leader who is a successor (caliph) to the Islamic prophet Muhammad (thank you Google search). They are part of a very intricate war waged a long, long time ago and has only been further complicated by political agendas. What's new, right?
Cause and Effect
On August 7th, 2014 the US took actions to strike ISIS. Why? Because there were innocent people held up on a mountain and ISIS had them cornered without provisions for their survival = genocide. Now what? We have to sit and hold our breaths between this conflict, the boarder issues, and the Ebola outbreak. It's enough that all people should have their eyes wide open. Some say that this crisis doesn't matter, that the US should focus more on what is going on at home (there are plenty of issues).
What I believe we could do as a united people, is to show our support for those afflicted the most. As a people of faith we pray for them. Since we are blessed to live in the land of liberties, we can proudly display our symbols of faith. I remember reading once how a supremacy wanted to mark the forehead of their people to demonstrate their loyalty to their causes and that these people were to bow down to the supremacy, to worship them. People of faith that cannot do this because God is the only God and they were to worship only to him. They were killed or persecuted when they refused the mark yielding to their faith.
So What Now?
Would you display the "Nun" symbol?
I know driving around I see the ICHTUS all the time. If you were living in a region where there was a group like ISIS, would you still be driving around with the ICHTUS on your vehicle? Or would you fear if you came home from work and saw that someone had spray painted the Muslim letter Nun on your house marking your religious beliefs?
Originally, I had started to compile information and write this post because I wanted to show support for those being affected. When I thought about how they must be feeling, I couldn't help but to think this has been happening for way too long and something needs to be done. Plus, I got really aggravated because there isn't more being done.
What is your take on what is going on?
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