Resurrection: The Case for HR 1568 & The Christians of the Middle East

April 07, 2015

Easter for Christians throughout the world is a time to celebrate the salvation of Jesus and those who follow in his teachings. Oftentimes though, in our celebration of victory it becomes easy to forget the passion. It becomes easy to forget the journey. What must be remembered is that the true value of our work is most apparent in not in victory, but in it’s pathway.
I am happy to say that during this week of Jesus’ resurrection the chance for salvation becomes that much more of a reality for thousands of Christians throughout Iraq and Syria due to a new bill, The Protecting Religious Minorities Persecuted by ISIS Act (HR 1568) . This piece of legislation is intended to expedite and reinstate processing for religious minorities threatened by ISIS that has since been terminated by the United States government. ​
In an act of truly bipartisan leadership shown by Congressman Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) and Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) we see that the sanctity of life is much greater than an issue of politics, but of humanity. In their commitment to the cause of peace and accountability they have given the chance at new life for thousands confronted by their own extermination.
Let us not be defined by the misguided decisions of our past. We must remember that prior to the invasion of Iraq, Christians throughout the country lived in relative safety and freedom. In a recent 60 Minutes piece, Archbishop Warda of Erbil stated that religious minorities were at the most vulnerable after the American invasion. The genocide occurring against religious minorities in Iraq is the toxic product that came of foreign policy blunders during previous administrations.
But, fate has now put in the most unlikely of situations. We are blessed to be in a position where we can work to rectify the religious minorities, which we in effect, buried. Through HR 1568, we can resurrect the Christians that for too long have been abandoned at their cross. America can be the third day for those who have become all too familiar with the stone placed outside of their living tomb.
In the face of genocide, in the face of darkness, America must continue to be the world’s hope. America must continue to be the light. But, in order for us to make this light sustainable we must work together to garner the ear of our Congressional delegates throughout the nation .
For the Christians of Iraq and Syria, this legislation is life or death. And my message to members of Congress will not change: If you choose not to support this bill, you are sentencing my people to death. There is not simpler way to put it. The decision to not support this bill would leave Christians throughout the Middle East to continue to rot in the refugee camps they have had to call home. To silence their voices any further would be further enabling and emboldening the genocidal actions of ISIS. I ask you to firmly consider the implications of you actions if you see this act as anything less than necessary. Voting not to support this bill is enabling ISIS.
Young women and children cannot bare the weight of the mistakes of the Iraq invasion. We will never be able to reverse our past. But, what we can do is guarantee the chance for a brighter future. What we can do is continue to strive by the principles that have guided this nation since it’s birth. The principle of faith, humanitarianism, and accountability will not die because they live on through this bill—HR 1568.
This Easter let us be reminded that Christians throughout the Middle East have yet to see the dawn of their salvation. They remain victim to continuous suffering while their lives sit precariously in the balance of this bill. We must carry the torch that Jesus himself lit. It is we who must remind the world that our country is built upon the foundation of our faith and liberty. We will not forsake them. We will not abandon them as martyrs of Cavalry. We will pass the Protecting Religious Minorities Persecuted by ISIS Act (HR 1568).​
God Bless,