As the Obama administration held its long-awaited three-day summit on countering violent extremism, the misuse of religion to justify violence was all too evident in many parts of the world. The United Nations held an emergency session this week to address the recent atrocities committed by ISIS militants. The meeting came amid calls for action after ISIS released a gruesome video showing the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya. Prayer vigils and memorial services were held around the world in honor of the victims. The Southern Baptist Convention and the World Council of Churches were part of the wide spectrum of Christian groups issuing harsh condemnations of the killings. Pope Francis called the victims martyrs and said “the blood of our Christian brothers is a witness that cries out.”