White House Refuses To Call ISIS’ Violence Against Christians Genocide

By Carlo Monzon 3 Mar, 2016 09:16 EST

U.S. President Barack Obama attends a meeting with the National Security Council at the State Department Washington February 25, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Within days after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry promised to analyze the proper label for the actions of ISIS against Christians in the Middle East, President Barack Obama's administration has officially stated that the targeted violence in the region cannot be considered as genocide. According to a statement from the White House, the incidents in the area have not yet reached a certain point to be categorized as such.

For months now, various U.S. officials and international organizations have been calling on the government to call the persecution of Christians in the Middle East as genocide. As stated in a report issued by the United Nations Committee on Human Rights in 2015, ISIS' operations in Iraq and Syria mainly target civilians based on their religious beliefs. Due to the targeted actions against a specific religious group, the UNCHR regarded the violence in the region as a form of genocide or ethnic cleansing, Tru News reported.

Earlier this week, U.S. diplomat Kerry was grilled during a Congress meeting at Capitol Hill regarding the matter and what the White House plans to do about it, according to Yahoo News. Although Kerry acknowledge the issue and condemned the activities of ISIS, he also noted that the classification of the extremist group's actions is still subject for review.

Days after the meeting, a spokesperson from the White House released a statement regarding the issue and clarified that the persecution going on in the Middle East is not genocide.

"My understanding is the use of that word involves a very specific legal determination that has at this point not been reached," White House representative Josh Earnest said during a press briefing.

"We have long expressed our concerns with the tendency of - well, not a tendency - a tactic employed by ISIL to slaughter religious minorities in Iraq and in Syria," he added.

Despite the government's refusal to label the situation as genocide, Earnest maintained that the White House is aware of the current state of religious groups in the area. He noted that the administration knows that Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities in the Middle East are being targeted by ISIS fighters which is why it has employed several operations, such as airstrikes, to create a path for escape and rescue for the victims, according to CNS News.

20 Bible passages to nurture a strong and enduring marriage

There is no magic in prayer verses, but there is power in God’s truth to bring forgiveness, healing, renewal, and restoration, no matter how disastrous things seem to be. God’s touch is broad, His love is immense, and His grace can cover everything. Prayer + God’s Word = Power, this is the formula God works His miracles through. We’ve picked out 20 Bible passages to pray for your marriage with, as listed below:
Thanksgiving Fair and Luncheon Hosted by River of Life Foundation, ROLCC New Wave English Ministry, and Santa Clara Mayor’s Office
Santa Clara, CA – November 1, 2024 – The River of Life Foundation, in collaboration with River of Life Christian Church’s New Wave English Ministry and the Santa Clara City Mayor's Office, is proud to announce the Annual Thanks Giving Fair and Luncheon scheduled for Saturday, November 16th, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the River of Life Christian Church’s campus
Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values
In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

White House Refuses To Call ISIS’ Violence Against Christians Genocide

20 Bible passages to nurture a strong and enduring marriage

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.