While Americans continue to throw accusations and insults across party lines, a real war is raging against Christians in Syria, Iraq, and Libya — to the point of the annihilation of the faithful.

In the U.S., there’s been squabbling over immigration, transgender bathrooms, Michael Flynn and more. However, ISIS continues to target and eliminate religious minorities, including Christians. Where is the outrage? Where is the conviction?

 “While ISIS may applaud American inaction toward these communities over the past two years, neither the religious minorities in the Middle East nor the judgment of history will do the same.”

In 2016, before President Donald Trump was elected, Secretary of State John Kerry said that the acts of ISIS against Christians and other religious minorities were considered genocide. Yet these people have not been given priority as true refugees to America. Aid that is sent to refugee camps often does not reach these people of persecution.

Andrew Walther, vice president of communications for the Knights of Columbus, recently wrote an op-ed after visiting Iraq twice in the last year.

“While ISIS may applaud American inaction toward these communities over the past two years, neither the religious minorities in the Middle East nor the judgment of history will do the same,” Walther wrote. “Giving preference does not mean helping only genocide survivors. But not giving them preference likely means they will be beyond help.”

Related: How We Can Live as God’s People in Troubled Times

The reality is that Americans in general are turning a blind eye to the torture, rape, and murder of good and decent people by ISIS — with an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality. But evil and violence are not quenched or contained. It is only a matter of time before such evil spreads to the doorstep of the United States. Will it continue to be ignored, then, in hopes of avoiding conflict?

Apathy is often the companion of comfort. Americans live in the lap of luxury, blessed beyond measure when compared to the people of many other countries. For the most part, we feel safe in our homes and secure in our privileges. It is difficult to imagine a life under constant threat, difficult to imagine being literally desperate for survival each and every day.

“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.”

Luke 12:48 says, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” Without interference or aid for these people, the genocide of Christians will end only when the Christians have completely vanished. These are the people who deserve sanctuary.

Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mathis said that approximately “half of one percent of Syrian refugees admitted to the U.S. in fiscal year 2016 were Christian — though they make up 10 percent of the Syrian population.”

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Make no mistake. The goal of ISIS, according to the ISIS magazine called Dabiq, is the destruction of Christians. “We will conquer your Rome,” they said, “break your crosses, and enslave your women…”

Related: What ISIS Did to a Christian Church in Mosul

Immigration policies must give priority to those who are facing true genocide and who are without help or hope. A stand must be taken against the horrors of ISIS and its influence across the globe.

Katie Nations, married for 15 years, is a working mother of three young children. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.