Blog #4: Syrian Christians Fear Genocide if al-Assad Falls to Muslim Extremists

The New American reports that there could be mass Christian genocide if the dictator regime Bashar al-Assad is overthrown by Islamic extremists. Within Syria a struggle to overthrow Bashar al-Assad is being lead by Islamic extremists which results in a lesser of two evils scenario. The current dictatorship that Syria has is not an ideal government but they have been very open to the Christian minority that resides there. Many Christians fled to Syria after Iraq was placed under Islamist control. Now the Christian community is faced with the decision to stick with the current government that is oppressive or protest it with the possibility of being persecuted even worse. David Wood a Christian activists reports to the New American, "Assad is brutal, but he’s equally brutal towards everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim. If Islamists take over the country, and they most certainly will if the secular regime falls, they will be every bit as brutal as Assad, but they will not treat people equally. Christians will be in quite a bit of trouble." There is also the threat that Christians will begin to flee Syria leaving behind people who can not flee. The people that stay will have a weaker voice and be more easily persecuted. 


This is a difficult dilemma that the Christians in Syria face. They can't support Bashar al-Assad becasue he is restricting their rights as humans. They also can't protest him because they will end up with even more extreme persecution. This situation requires more than the citizens of the country but really the United Nations. It is important that they step in and defend the rights given to all people. An outside force is the only thing that can diffuse the conflicts going on. This scenario gives a vivid picture to explain the reason for the first amendment. We are able to participate in whatever religion we fell like even no religion. This allows us to move forward in bettering the whole country. No government should be impose their religion on a group of people. The Islamist extremist are right in protesting Bashar al-Assad but will result in worse persecution than originally.  


http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-mainmenu-26/asia-mainmenu-33/10823-syrian-christians-fear-genocide-if-al-assad-falls-to-muslim-extremists