Just when you think that we have hit rock bottom, something comes along that makes things appear worse. The news was released today that ISIS has carried out the execution today of nine men who were part of what president Obama would call the "vetted moderate opposition" in Syria. These are nine men who fought as part of the rebel cause against the Assad regime, but they did not accept ISIS leadership of the rebels. In fact, these nine men also fought against ISIS, although that is just a claim made by ISIS itself.
What makes today's executions special is that ISIS decided not just to execute these nine men; that would be bad enough. No, ISIS decided to crucify these men. As I write this, the men are nailed to crosses in two locations in Syria. They may still be alive suffering the horrible fate of those who get crucified, or they may have mercifully died already.
There is no question that the manner of execution was chosen by ISIS as a warning to those who would oppose that movement. The message is clear: any opposition will result in a most horrible and painful death.
Perhaps the most amazing part of this story is that the ISIS fighters believe that they are acting on behalf of Allah, their God. I do not pretend to be an expert on Islam. I do know enough, however, to feel confident that nothing in that religion calls for the slaughter of co-religionists who are your political opponents. Remember, ISIS consists of Sunni Moslems. The men who are being executed are all Sunni Moslems. This is not even sectarian violence resulting from differences in religious beliefs. It is just plain murder for political purposes. It is slaughter to instill fear into those who might oppose ISIS. It is the triumph of the worst in humanity over anything that might be called good.
What makes today's executions special is that ISIS decided not just to execute these nine men; that would be bad enough. No, ISIS decided to crucify these men. As I write this, the men are nailed to crosses in two locations in Syria. They may still be alive suffering the horrible fate of those who get crucified, or they may have mercifully died already.
There is no question that the manner of execution was chosen by ISIS as a warning to those who would oppose that movement. The message is clear: any opposition will result in a most horrible and painful death.
Perhaps the most amazing part of this story is that the ISIS fighters believe that they are acting on behalf of Allah, their God. I do not pretend to be an expert on Islam. I do know enough, however, to feel confident that nothing in that religion calls for the slaughter of co-religionists who are your political opponents. Remember, ISIS consists of Sunni Moslems. The men who are being executed are all Sunni Moslems. This is not even sectarian violence resulting from differences in religious beliefs. It is just plain murder for political purposes. It is slaughter to instill fear into those who might oppose ISIS. It is the triumph of the worst in humanity over anything that might be called good.
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