Comments on: Elimination of Sectarianism: If Not Now, When?

By: Ghassan Karam

Ghassan Karam — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:24:36 +0000

Louay,
You are absolutely correct. Equality of opportunity cannot be granted under a sectarian/confessional system.

Lawrence,
How do you measure whether a sect is happy? Is that done by asking those that are at the top of the pyramid and are thus the major beneficiaries of the current arrangement ? A responsible state is usually driven to satisfy the “common good” and not what is good for an individual tribe since what is good for one is not necessarily good for the whole.

By: lawrence

lawrence — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:17:55 +0000

I believe that in an ideal world, the best person desrves the seat, regardless of their religeon. However, this does not work in Lebanon, this secterian system keeps all sects happy, appeases their desire for influence, and safeguards their intrests. There is now peace and stability in Lebanon, and by the grace of God it will remain like this. If every sect is happy with the current constitution, and it retains peace, then why change it?

By: Louay Faour

Louay Faour — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:17:02 +0000

Education will teach this generation, and this generation will teach the following generation. Whatever it is, Lebanon can no longer have a divided society, whether this is the case or not, and be labelled as a ‘confessional’ state. Those ‘muppets’ are now gone and we need to build a new start, and I strongly believe that eventually, when the politicans play a good example in the government, the population will realise that sectarianism is wrong. However at the end of the day Muslims, Christians and Druze must all be treated equally, in soceity and politics.

By: Ghassan Karam

Ghassan Karam — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:08:13 +0000

G. Karam responds.

Raffi,
I am in total agreement with you regarding the role of education. An educated and well informed citizenry is essential for the proper functioning of a vibrant democracy.

Micheline,
In a very narrow and technical sense you are correct when you say that sectarianism is found all over the world and that it cannot be eliminated.
The proper word should have been confessionalism but I opted for sectarianism because that appeared to be the term of choice by the English language press in Lebanon.
We all know , or should know , that when one speaks about the implementation of the Taef accords that the topic is the elimination of the system that allocates elected posts and civil service positions according to a formula based on religious affiliation. That, by the way, was made crystal clear from the first sentence in the article. Actually the elimination of sectarianism/confessionalism is nothing else but a first step in the creation of a secular society. You are right, one cannot legislate how people think but society is under an obligation, a moral one I might add, to treat all its members equally irrespective of their religious beliefs.
And yes I agree that “political feudalism” and democracy are not compatible.

By: Micheline Barbar

Micheline Barbar — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:23:33 +0000

Sectarianism is present in all parts of the world. I do not agree that the main focus should be to abolish sectarianism in Lebanon because it is simply impossible, not now, not ever!. Lebanon’s religious divisions are extremely complicated and religion will always be an important criterion to take into consideration: you forgot to mention that even our laws, our codes are based on religion.
Since the Lebanese system is a duplicate of other systems I allow myself to compare with other systems.
I take India as an example: why is it that such a country is the most populous democracy in the world? It has many religions? Many diverse and contradictory groups and yet political parties are not based on individuals. I believe that the main political problem in Lebanon lies on “followship” (taba3iya).
This is not knew, we all know that . It is family sectarianism: Jumblat, Gmeiyl, Mouawad..oh and it has become hereditary transferred! People follow Aoun, Berri, Hariri..but Never an idea. Yesterday Aoun was against Syria, against Al Taef, his followers were against Syria and against Al Taef, today Aoun is pro-syrian and indeed his followers have become pro-syrian. This is one example out of hundred..
I agree with a previous comment posted on the Article: it is all about Education. However, education should be focused on political ideology, on a cause each Lebanese should believe in and please, please let’s not forget the past and History that we do not agree on: let’s not forget these Muppets and their changing politics every now one then! We really have to believe in a political ideology and not in them!

By: Raffi Daghlian

Raffi Daghlian — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:59:12 +0000

I think lots of Lebanese people do not have the political maturity to elect the most eligible candidate becuse they will thik first what religion does belong to is he going to make decisions whats best for the country or his religious affiliation, thats where the danger is to elect somebody inept because he belongs to a certain religion.The problem could be solved starting in kindergarden love of country first,God never said this religion is better then the other, so start thinking with your head not the heart.