Three Cheers For Disunity

Showing the sort of insight and political savvy which has characterized the Christian leadership recently, Archbishop Bishara Raii accused the government of "Islamizing" Lebanon. That was the statement which drew headlines. But the comment was part of a larger discussion in the Maronite Patriarchy, lamenting that "Christian disunity" in the current struggle had weakened the Christians' voice in Lebanon's political affairs.

I'm going to ignore the charge that the government is "Islamizing" Lebanon, simply because it is too absurd for many people to buy into it. The rallying cry of Christian unity is a far more potent weapon. But why should anybody working towards a non-sectarian vision of Lebanon's future care? Christian disunity is a good thing -- it shows that Lebanon's politicians hold principles beyond the advancement of their sect. Of course, the "principles" which animate the FPM seem to be nothing more than a willingness to ally themselves with anyone who promises Aoun the Presidency. But, though one must disagree with either Geagea or Aoun's stances, it is true that they both hold political beliefs that supercede their loyalty to their common Christianity.

The political deadlock has ruined a great deal of potential in Lebanon. Its saving grace has been the fact of Christian parties working hand-in-hand with both Shia and Muslim groups, in a direct contrast to the Christian-Muslim split which was the driving force behind the civil war. Leave it to the Patriarchy to attack the one bright spot of the current conflict.