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“I once again urge an end to the exploitation of religions to fuel hatred, violence, extremism, and fanaticism. Let us cease using the name of God to justify acts of murder, exile, terrorism, and oppression.”
Pope Francis
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It’s as if we were dreaming… Nothing seems to be functioning within the country, especially within the government’s realm. Even the tiniest issues of daily life are shamelessly neglected by the relevant authorities. The state of total decay has become widespread, affecting all tiers of the governmental system. Except for a few rare exceptions, neither officials nor public servants seem willing to make even the slightest effort to show concern for public grievances. The Lebanese people are grappling with the most severe economic and financial crisis in Lebanon’s history.
Nevertheless, all of this seems to hold little significance for certain individuals. For them, what takes precedence is the so-called “unnatural relationships,” focusing on the lives of the LGBT community, even in the midst of such circumstances! It is a tactic of diversion, initiating misleading debates, to shift the attention of the Lebanese people away from the actual disasters that are undermining their daily life. It is no wonder that the secretary-general of the pro-Iranian party, Hassan Nasrallah, was the one to abruptly launch this homophobic campaign, which regrettably found traction within various popular and religious circles. Hezbollah has truly mastered the art of diversion, showcasing its skill in steering public opinion toward fake battles against adversaries that are meticulously crafted by the party to serve its agenda.
One of the many problems confronting certain societies today is the loss of values, bearings, and judgment… The consequence is an unfortunate leaning towards irrationality and a notable lack of discernment.
The loss of bearings and the lack of discernment represent one of the most fundamental flaws afflicting Lebanon today (and for a long time), across various levels and domains. The author of these lines is deeply devoted to Christian values and the safeguarding of the core family unit (father, mother and children…). Such attachment to Christian values—for those who adhere to them—inevitably involves unwavering respect for every human being, irrespective of their identity. Regardless of whether someone identifies as “LGBT” or not, or aligns with our political standpoint or not, the former Melkite Archbishop of Beirut, Grégoire Haddad, delineated two essential benchmarks within his faith: Christ and the human being. He emphasized that this encompassed every individual, addressing the entirety of their existence in all its dimensions.
Those who resort to violence (whether physical or psychological) against members of the LGBT community in the name of their deep Christian convictions are on the wrong path. It’s contradictory to uphold principles while simultaneously violating them. Preserving the dignity and freedom of each individual lies at the heart of the Christian message. Consequently, any Christian cannot act in a manner that contradicts this fundamental message.
However, such coherence in behavior, ensuring that words and actions are in harmony, holds equal significance in the opposite direction. Those who attack fierce opponents of men or women engaged in relationships deemed “unnatural” cannot, simultaneously, stigmatize those upholding traditional values by constantly expressing outrage at every given opportunity.
Respecting the individual cannot remain a one-sided endeavor. Armed with the often-detrimental tools offered by social media, a considerable number of individuals find satisfaction in baselessly vilifying a small group of people—frequently the same individuals, incidentally—at every turn. Adding to the ignominy, they indulge in this simplistic defamation, feigning ignorance of the fact that it ultimately serves only to divert attention from the real existential and socio-economic problems shaking the country. Such demonization, which frequently extends to encompass anyone even remotely associated with the “target” of the witch hunt, gradually transforms into a deplorable form of psychological harassment, equally condemnable as the aggressive stance of those who position themselves as defenders of moral values.
This is not an intended moral sermon. The matter is of greater significance because, as Pope Francis reiterated, “the degree to which we respect human dignity reflects the kind of society we aspire to build.” This principle holds true in both directions in human relationships…
