Is it ISIS, ISIL, or just plain IS ?

ISIS vs. ISIL vs. IS … The terrorist group has changed their name so many times what the hell’s the difference?

It turns out there’s a big difference.

ISIS is an English acronym meaning Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. By definition this title limits the terrorist Sunni group to Iraq and Syria.

ISIL stands for the Islamic State of Syria and Levant, or if you prefer their Arabic name: Al-Dawla Al-Islamiya fi al-Iraq wa al-Sham. The “al-Sham” refers to a broad territory known in English as “the Levant.” It is a large area including southern Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. By changing their name to ISIL they are revealing their goal to restore an Islamic State, or caliphate, to this entire region.

IS simply means the “Islamic State,” implying a more universal goal.

So which one should you use?

In my way of thinking, ISIS is the more limiting name. I prefer to not acknowledge any more power than they are currently attaining. So my choice is ISIS.

When we use the term ISIL we give too much credit to the terrorist’s lofty goals.

If we us only IS the implication is that all Islam thinks as the Sunni terrorists do. That is incorrect and misleading.

The only bitch I’ve heard against the term ISIS is the fact that it is also the name of an Egyptian goddess whom many modern women are named after.

Sorry, girls, but I’ve made my decision. As for me, I will use the term ISIS. Hopefully we will wipe the bastards off the face of the earth so your name can be redeemed.