Living under ISIL rule as a religious minority

[rug]

Non-Muslims are treated harshly in areas controlled by ISIL, but a particular level of brutality is aimed at the Yazidis

December 23, 2014 10:15AM ET
by Inside Story Team - @AJInsideStoryAM

A new report by Amnesty International exposes the terrible plight of least 3,500 young Yazidi women and girls.

The Yazidis are ethnic Kurds who practice an ancient monotheistic religion linked to Zoroastrianism that many Muslims — including the Sunni absolutists who make up the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant — consider heretical.

The report says in August 2014, ISIL fighters abducted hundreds and possibly thousands of Yazidi men, women and children who were fleeing the Sinjar region in northwestern Iraq as the group approached. Younger women and girls, some as young as 12, were separated from their families and sold, given as gifts or forced to marry fighters and supporters. Many have been subjected to abuse, torture and rape.

Although a few hundred have escaped, many more remain in ISIL custody in Syria and Iraq. In desperation, some have committed suicide.

http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/inside-story/articles/2014/12/23/living-under-isilruleasareligiousminority.html

[tradewinds]

1. More evidence of the scourge that is religion.

This needs to stop. Ending America's subsidizing of religion would be a first step.

These events and many others clearly show that religion has no place in humanity.

[rug]

2. You should go on Meet the Press.

Mr. tradewinds, do you have any comment on the recent plummeting in the price of oil?

tradeswinds: These events and many others clearly show that religion has no place in humanity.

Do you think the Keystone Pipeline and increase in shale oil production are contributing factors?

tradeswinds: These events and many others clearly show that religion has no place in humanity.

How do you feel about the current prices of popcorn?

tradeswinds: These events and many others clearly show that religion has no place in humanity.


It would be refreshing to hear a nuanced view as to why the Yazidi are being singled out.

[cbayer]

3. Just a wee bit over the top, wouldn't you say?

[Promethean]

4. Nuanced view?

There isn't one. Islam's religious tenants dictate zero tolerance of non-abrahamic religions. The origin of the religion literally involves Muhammed wiping out every idolatrous religion from Mecca and is considered one of the most important stories told about him. So the ISIL treatment of the Yazidi is a literal religious tenant. As for the fate of the girls that is a general abrahamic religious tenant. Go look it up its right in your bible, kill the men and enslave the women.

Would ISIL do this to the Yazidi if they were Sunni Muslims? No. ISIL feels justified in doing this because the Yazidi are of a different religion. So yes this one clearly rests at the feet of religion and Rug is being sickeningly dishonest.

Disclaimer: This post is for everybody but rug. I know he won't actually respond in an honest way that actually addresses the point. Responding to his post directly is unfortunately just the best place to put this message.

[rug]

5. I'm sure "everybody' appreciates the depth of your research.

My only question is, how do Islam's religious landlords feel about this?