He's to die for?

If a loved one such as a spouse or child were being held at gunpoint, would you step in and take their place, even if it meant you would die? Easy answer right? Would you take the place of a good friend or a co-worker? What about someone you have never met personally? Think about this next question real hard before you answer...If you were held at gunpoint and told to renounce Jesus or being a Christian, would you? Here's one a little harder. What if it was your child about to suffer the consequences of your decision...would you renounce Christ?

SYRIA

In an article on www.breathecast.com, Jeannie Law reports the following: 

According to Sister Raghida, the Muslims came to the two youths and said, "So you want to die as a teacher in whom you trust? Please choose: either to renounce (faith) or you will be crucified!" The boys both refused to renounce faith in Jesus Christ and were martyred because of it. One of them was crucified in front of his father, who was then killed. The nun went on to tell the radio station that the Jihadists entered the city of Maaloula and started killing men, women, and children. According to her report, they killed and played football with the heads of those murdered. Sister Raghida also said the killers took pregnant women and pulled out the babies from their wombs and hung them from a tree by their umbilical cords.

IRAQ

Christians have lived in Iraq for around 2000 years along with Muslims. Under Sadaam Hussein they enjoyed many freedoms. According to Al Jazeera, this coexistence is no more:

The Islamic State group has threatened Christians in the Iraqi city of Mosul with death if they do not convert to Islam or pay a tax, Al Jazeera has learned. The Sunni rebel group issued the orders in a letter after Friday prayers. The document, obtained by Al Jazeera, states that the order was issued after Christian leaders failed to attend a meeting called by the group. In response, the group says in the letter that Christians must either convert to Islam, pay a tax on non-Muslims known as jiziya, or give up their posessions and leave the city. Failure to do so would result in a death penalty, "as a last resort".

While the above is bad, it gets much worse. ISIS is moving through Iraq slaughtering men, women and children. Today my eyes will never be the same. I saw a picture of a little girl with her head cut off. I cannot even force myself to imagine that it were my child, my son.

AMERICA

There is much talk of Christian persecution in America. I have seen posts on Facebook scoffing at the idea of "Christian Persecution". While Christians in America are not being killed or tortured, that does not mean persecution is not taking place.

Oftentimes before horrific events take place there are usually precursor's. Incremental change eventually leads to complete change, even without people realizing it. 

As I peruse Facebook, I see a few posting the atrocities taking place in Syria, Iran, and other parts of the world. However, I see many who seem to be completely unaffected. Maybe its because the reality is to great and they do not know how to handle it? Or like many things, they don't seem real because it is so far away. Christian or not, these are humans targeted for a label/life they chose. I'm not sure that I can be as I was 2 months ago. Everything changed for me when I saw the picture below.  Leon Watson of www.daily.co.uk posted a story with this pic.

Back to my original question... If this was your child, would you renounce Christ to save his/her life? I really want to cuss right now and say something to get your attention. WOULD YOU RENOUNCE CHRIST! I am serious, please answer this question.

References

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/iraq-christians-told-convert-face-death-2014718111040982432.html

http://www.breathecast.com

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2609711/Syria-burning-Assad-orders-ELECTION-critics-say-simply-rig.html