Breaking News
God Will Punish The Islamic State For This
- A 1,400 year old Christian monastery in Iraq has become the latest victim in the Islamic State's war on history.
- IS has been destroying anything in the region that doesn't agree with their narrow view of Islam.
- The monastery, which was built in 590 AD, joins the list of over 100 religious and historical sites looted and destroyed by IS.
ERBIL, Iraq – Satellite photos obtained by The Associated Press confirm what church leaders and Middle East preservationists had feared: The oldest Christian monastery in Iraq has been reduced to a field of rubble, yet another victim of the Islamic State group's relentless destruction of heritage sites it considers heretical.
St. Elijah's Monastery stood as a place of worship for 1,400 years, including most recently for U.S. troops. In earlier millennia, generations of monks tucked candles in the niches, prayed in the chapel, worshipped at the altar. The Greek letters chi and rho, representing the first two letters of Christ's name, were carved near the entrance.
This month, at the request of the AP, satellite imagery firm DigitalGlobe tasked a high resolution camera to grab photos of the site, and then pulled earlier images of the same spot.
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Before it was razed, a partially restored, 27,000-square-foot stone and mortar building stood fortress-like on a hill above Mosul. Although the roof was largely missing, it had 26 distinctive rooms including a sanctuary and chapel. One month later photos show “that the stone walls have been literally pulverized,” said imagery analyst Stephen Wood, CEO of Allsource Analysis, who pinpointed the destruction between August and September 2014.
“Bulldozers, heavy equipment, sledgehammers, possibly explosives turned those stone walls into this field of gray-white dust. They destroyed it completely,” he said from his Colorado offices.
On the other side of the world, in his office in exile, in Irbil, Iraq, Catholic priest Rev. Paul Thabit Habib, 39, stared in disbelief at the before- and after- images.
“Our Christian history in Mosul is being barbarically leveled,” he said in Arabic. “We see it as an attempt to expel us from Iraq, eliminating and finishing our existence in this land.”
The Islamic State group, which now controls large parts of Iraq and Syria, has killed thousands of civilians in the past two years. Along the way, its fighters have destroyed whatever they consider contrary to their interpretation of Islam.
St. Elijah's joins a growing list of more than 100 religious and historic sites looted and destroyed, including mosques, tombs, shrines and churches. Ancient monuments in the cities of Nineveh, Palmyra and Hatra are in ruins. Museums and libraries have been pillaged, books burned, artwork crushed — or trafficked.
U.S. troops and advisers had worked to protect and honor the monastery, a hopeful endeavor in a violent place and time.
“I would imagine that many people are feeling like, ‘What were the last 10 years for if these guys can go in and destroy everything?'” said U.S. Army reserve Col. Mary Prophit, who was deployed there in 2004 and again in 2009.
Built in 590, tragedy struck at St. Elijah's in 1743, when as many as 150 monks who refused to convert to Islam were massacred by a Persian general. In 2003 St. Elijah's shuddered again — this time a wall was smashed by a tank turret blown off in battle. Iraqi troops had already moved in, dumping garbage in the cistern. The U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division took control, painting over ancient murals and scrawling their division's “Screaming Eagle,” on the walls. Then a U.S. military chaplain, recognizing its significance, began a preservation initiative.
Roman Catholic Army chaplain Jeffrey Whorton, who celebrated Mass on the monastery's altar, was grief-stricken at its loss.
“Why we treat each other like this is beyond me,” he said. “Elijah the prophet must be weeping.”
At the Vatican, spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi, noted that since the monastery dates back to the time Christians were united, before the break with Orthodox and Catholics, the place would be a special one for many. He said it was the first news he had had of the destruction.
“Unfortunately, there is this systemic destruction of precious sites, not only cultural, but also religious and spiritual. It's very sad and dramatic,” Lombardi told the AP
62 Comments
John 3:16
I am afraid God is going to sit this one out and leave it up to our own devices to rid the world of islam.
Our US Islamic Potus has a sinister agenda
Watch this about Islam
http://youtu.be/6ikV9kxAwL4
God will probably sit this one out and leave us to our own devices to rid the world of islam.
Yes, most Christians seem to forget that Judaism, Christianity and Islam all share the same god. Splitting hairs by calling Allah a moon god, and Jehovah a farming god still does not change this. In my view of things, this is also karma at work since Christianity destroyed other sacred sites all over the world, and built cathedrals on top of all of the Goddess worship sites in Europe before destroying as many other sacred sites as they could get away with in the Americas and Asia. There is a verse in the Christians’ black book that says, “Be not deceived for God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” Perhaps they only thought that applied to the rest of us.
I’m not sure what kind of Dr you are but you should check your facts. Mohammed took a moon god that was being worshiped in Arabia & convoluted it to what he called Allah. He was exposed to Judaism & Christianity as a camel trader working for his uncle. He then took a mishmash of what he had heard & made up a new religion. He must have had a lot of time on his hands after he married a rich widow. By the way, the God Jehovah of Christianity & Judaism was never a farming god. You must be confusing Jehovah with your nature “Goddess”
Different gods Doc.
..Enki- Enlil
best check your sources
Spot on. We, and all our Religions, give away our right to talk to God ” OUR” way.
We do not need an intermediate to talk to GOD.
WE do not need child molesters ” PRIESTS” , we do not need people that condone cutting peoples heads of in the name of allah ” Muslim” . WE need to talk to our own GOD and stand up to what we believe. We need Family, Decency and Freedom “FROM” religion. God Bless. MY Rant
It was built by GOD’S creations and is not to be destroyed.
God Is Always On The The Side Of Good. I Am A Warrior And I Fight On The Side Of The Angels.
Destruction is negative.
Destruction is negative.
God cares for His Own!
God is Great. God is Good. God is Just.
So sad. I love history and archeology and hate to see these things destroyed. Yes, I believe God is saddened as well and I trust He will bring about His justice for these deeds. I pray it is so.
This is disgrace to humanity. These civilizations existed throughout the history of Islam. Islam calls for the preservation of other civilizations and heritages. ISIS since inception has not done anything that acceptable but humanity let alone by God. They will never prevail and I am a Muslim and I know it. Falsehood will never prevail. God has promised this throughout the ages. This is a dark phase but it will not last long. In God we Trust!!!
Thank-you. It is good to finally see a Muslim speaking out against these actions.
Yes God will punish them but in the mean time they are hurting innocent people just because their beliefs might be different or their nationality is different. People need to learn to love and accept each other.
Disagree because God does care for anything man made. He cares more for the spiritual soul that is enclosed in the temple called our flesh than anything built with brick and mortar.
It shows what ‘Barbarians’ they really are. Stuck in the 1400’s with their mindset. Very sad.
It is only right that the ISIS be allowed to be with Mohammed.
Far too many people forget that of the three major religions the Jewish religion is the oldest then the Christian religion that grew out of the Jewish religion and then the muslims are the johnny come lately.
They will be punished for their attacks on the Jewish and the Christians.
The destruction of this 1,400 year old Christian monastery is the most recent of the destruction of ancient Christian churches, slaughtering of Christians in this recent Caliphate.
Hope God will punish; however, many times I wonder where God is at with all the evil in this world.
Jesus said that his “church” is where two or more people gather in his name. While said, destroying any man made temple or monument does little to destroy Christ’s Church.
Because they want to re-write history and no one can.
#1 The God I serve is not the same God that Islam serves. Islam is following Satan! #2 My God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to earth to suffer and die for my sins and the sins of all mankind. Jesus said that the only way to His Father(God) was through Him. All you have to do is get on your knees and confess your sins and ask forgiveness. Then ask Jesus into your heart. Then go to any Christian or Christian Church and get baptized(immersed). Then you stop sinning, read your Bible and get closer to God. #3 Islam has none of this. You follow Islam and you are taking the path to hell and will be there for eternity! #4 My God loves everyone, including Muslims. He wants them to convert to Him and put Satan behind them, where he belongs. Read Acts chapter 2 to confirm what I am saying here about being saved.
I used to think that the crusades had gone too far. In view of present-day islamic atrocities and violent expansionism, I am afraid that the crusades did not go far enough — else we would not now have to contend with muslim invasion, rape of our women, mutilation of young girls and anti-Christian genocide. Let’s launch another crusade, this time with more foresight, better organization and more effective means.
Our Lord has said, in His Holy Word, that he will condemn and destroy all false gods. ISIS is an army of Satan and I believe that Jesus will return and Isis will be destroyed!
I forgot #5 God does not get angry as much about buildings as He does the sin that is commited by all of us in this world. We have all come short of the Glory of God. The only perfect person that walked this world was Jesus! Our greatest righteousness is filthy rags to Our Heavenly Father. This is why Jesus had to suffer and die for our sins. My plea is for anyone who has not accepted Christ as their Savior, that he or she do so very soon. Jesus is coming back for His church and may be coming very soon. Now is the time, not tomorrow for we may not have tomorrow!
PS- Only God knows when Jesus is coming back to earth- Even Jesus does not know until the Father tells Him that it is time.
Yes, God will punish them….one way or another…..God does not sleep, and he sees all……..forget the virgins………you gonna burn in hell.
I know God is not happy with this satanic, islamic group, whom think killing, rapping, and destroying everything that they come across is what God wants them to do. I can’t even understand what, or why anyone would think about joining these demons.
This group has already made too many enemies to last very long. They may survive for another year or two but Iran will either run out of money or it will become to dangerous for their own country to keep supporting ISIS.
Don’t forget about the many centuries-old churches and monasteries that were destroyed by allied forces in the former Yugoslavia. God is still judging those allied nations for their ‘hearty approval of the other side’s evil actions’.
God does not punish. Men’s actions will ultimately punish themselves.
Go sesy
I believe that the deliberate ongoing destruction of these type of Christian sanctuaries will eventually be avenged by the ALMIGHTY. He has patience but only to the extent of HIS DEVINE nature, even the LORD OF HOST has a limit to HIS forgiveness. It is really that simple. In fact it is just logical if you believe in HIM, HE will not forgive forever.
We all will answer to God for all our acts, The evil and every word spoken.
I agree God will have his way with ISIS ,in the long run . But until he does ,can’t we just kill these SOB ,for now . Americans should take their own weapons over there and kill the animals . Obama does not give a chit !.
I know that when a muslim bomber blows himself to paradise he gets 73 virgins, promised by his RELIGION. Just wondering? When a female bomber blows herself up, does she get 73 STUDS?
Then again, Sharia will stone her to death because she invited rape.
What a bunch BUT they all love allah, well some do because muhamed said so but the others don’t like that so they kill each other over that.
Where is the outrage from the Muslim community against all that isil has done????
I know how you are feeling. As a Pagan I was outraged when ancient Pagan sites were destroyed by Daesh (call them that rather than ISIS as they hate it) , but it was more for the sacrilidge of the destruction of such irriplacable history.
I Agree
A church building is only a building. God will not punish people for destroying buildings but for destroying people’s lives. Especially not historical buildings for which those in war see no benefit. We are at war with a barbarian force. They are from the evil one. Their sins will send them away from God for eternity (Romans 3:23, 6:23). We can be saddened by desecration and destruction, but this people group is doomed to an eternity away from God. We should pray for them and reach them with the good news before it is too late. It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment. There is a way out, a ‘get out of jail free card’, see Romans 10:9-10 and 1 John 1:9.
There are numerous scriptural and historical accounts of God taking vengeance on the perpetrators of violence against the innocent. In the case of ISIS, as in all other cases, He will do it in His own way and in His own time. I believe He has sent this scourge for a purpose, and only when that purpose has been served will He put an end to the scourge.
Yes He will. . . . As well as all their other atrocities. And soon I hope and pray.
It’s just a little surprising that there is an uproar about this when the U.S. and it’s allies including Isis are bombing the Gov’t of Syria and it’s CHRISTIAN and MINORITY MUSLIM allies. These Christians and minority Muslims have resided there for centuries. Syria is a moderate Muslim country. Isn’t that supposed to be the desired end result? The Syrian gov’t had to step up to stem the flow of Extremists into their country as the Extremists were taking hostages and using them as human shields. Somehow the U.S. gov’t got involved and decided to oust the legitimate gov’t and leave a vacuum that I believe would be filled by an Extremist ruling council. It is happening in Egypt and Libya both of which had gov’t that were neutralized with the help of the U.S. If Syria goes there won’t be anything of any consequence left in the area that isn’t Extremist controlled. I would have thought that we would default to backing those who are more like us not those that hate us. The current gov’t of the U.S. isn’t acting in the best interests of the U.S. and one can only speculate about his real motives.
God will punish all who do not follow his commands and live the life that he prescribed. Particularly those who nurture hatefulness destruction and the taking of human life that HE created.
God wants peace not destruction
Simple, it’s in the First Commandment handed down to Moses centuries ago, “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange Gods
before thee. Of course, the Ten Commandments as sent by Almighty God have been banned in use from public view in the USA under the phony guise of “separation of church and state” in the Constitution thanks to a chicken PC congress more willing to bow to the wishes of Allah and his followers. So then the Muslim jihadists in their worship of the phony Allah will get theirs and the USA is next for it’s godlessness and mockery of the Almighty. The Constitution says nothing about separation of church and state, rather it endorses freedom of religion and worship according to one’s beliefs without the establishment of one state church by government.
thank to ur president and secretary of state
it is just a building, God will punish them for killing childrens
There are NO words.
God has given us free wills, if Christians{and nations that are supposedly Christian) do not stand up and fight to stop such atrocities! Then God usually doesn’t take action ! We can’t be gutless whiners and say God is going to get you evil doers! WE have push our legislators to send troops and take care of these “Evil doers”!!
what’s wrong with this isis they are destroying things that churches aren’t against them they are just thugs they need to be wiped off of this planet
what’s wrong with this isis they are destroying things that churches aren’t against them they are just thugs they need to be wiped off of this planet
because he will ultimately protect what belongs to him!
Because that’s just the way God will handle it and he is always right on time, enough is enough
Destroying Gods Temple is telling him that ,
” You are are a Satan worshipper and don’t need him in his life “
God will punish these bad people??? LMFAO!! Does he punish murderers or thieves or rapists?? NO, he does NOT!!! The reason is very simple. There IS NO GOD!!!!
this and many other things destroyed.
Maybe they will be punished for the rape and murder of innocents, but God cares not about a building.