Four Christian children in Iraq were beheaded by Islamic State terrorists after refusing to recite the Muslim declaration of faith.

The story is recounted by the vicar of Baghdad, Canon Andrew White, in a video posted to the Christian Broadcasting Network website.

Washington Times:

Islamic State terrorists in Iraq beheaded four Christian kids who refused to renounce their faith and become Muslim.

Canon Andrew White, the “Vicar of Baghdad,” fled to Israel from Iraq a few weeks ago and then told Christian Broadcasting Network of the horrifying scene.

“ISIS turned up and said to the children, ‘You say the words that you will follow Mohammed,’ ” he said in a video posted at CBN’s website. “The children, all under 15 — four of them — they said, ‘No, we love Yeshua [Jesus], we have always loved Yeshua.’ “

And the terrorists’ response?

“They chopped all their heads off,” Mr. White said, the New York Post reported. “How do you respond to that? You just cry.”

It's always impressive when when someone chooses to keep faith with his or her beliefs rather than submit.  But the notion that children would have that kind of courage is humbling.  It makes you ask yourself: would I be as strong in my faith as a 15-year-old boy facing a horrible death?

Christian martyrs are supposed to inspire us.  These children's deaths go beyond inspiration and motivate us to examine the strength of our faith when placed against their example.