Former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch expressed her concern on Sunday while speaking with The Rita Cosby Show over Christians being persecuted by the Islamic State.
Lynch, who was rescued from her captors in 2003 after being held hostage for nine days, said she is disturbed by the brutal treatment many Christians have endured since the rise of the terrorist group.
"It’s been disturbing," Lynch said. "I mean, if you look at those pictures, it’s horrible. Absolutely horrible. I feel for their families. The ones that have been beheaded. I feel for them. I never want to see that happen. And… yeah, it’s very, very disturbing. And it’s been happening so much lately that I think it’s definitely a concern that we should all be kind of aware of."
Lynch said she does not see an end in sight, however. "I think it’s just going to be a repeated cycle," she said. "I don't know honestly if we as Americans can change them and I don't think that’s going to happen. I think they're going to continue with the way that it has been for years, for decades."
"I think that’s what they're still going to continue to do for the next 50 years. I don't think us being there is going to help any."
When asked if she thought the world was doing enough to protect the Christians facing persecution she said it was tough to say. "Oh, you know that’s a tough one," she said. "I think … the military? I mean I can’t speak for the government or anything, but I think, definitely with military, we’re doing what we can to protect everybody … not just Christians."
She followed up by saying she thought the situation could be handled better. "I think things could be improved and handled differently," Lynch said. "But, you know, I think it’s a difficult situation, and I think, you know, it’s going to take some time and it’s going to take some effort by everyone so that the world can get along."
Lynch said she thinks Christians will stand strong despite their persecution and the world's inability to effectively protect them. "Because as Christians we believe one way and they believe another way and it’s always going to be a conflict," she said. "Whether it’s with Iraq … or if it’s against another country. And that’s what they do. They’re going to target us. They’re going to try to take away what beliefs or faith we have. And, you know as Christians, I believe that we’re going to stand strong."
"We’re going to continue praying. We’re going to continue with what we know … And we’re going to overpower them in that situation. They may take us by guns and armory … But with us, we’ll just continue praying and having faith that we’re going to stand strong."