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Arab Christians do exist. They make up 40% of Lebanon, 10-15% of Syria, 10-15% of Egypt, 5% of Jordan, and before the creation of Israel, an estimated 20% of Palestine (their numbers have decreased dramatically now).
And when the Western World mentions Middle Eastern Christians, they imply that we're an endangered oppressed minority in the region. Not true. In Lebanon, the president must by law always be a Lebanese Maronite Christian and half the Lebanese parliament is reserved for Christians, as well. A substantial amount of Muslims are fine with this split, claiming that it's the Christians that keep Lebanon very liberal.
Prior to the invasion of Iraq, Christians there lived fine. Saddam Hussein built fine ties with Christians. One of his top advisors was a Chaldean Catholic and Saddam supported Christian groups during the Lebanese Civil War.
In Syria, Christians may not have the 100% of freedom as Muslims, but they're still accepted into society. In Syria, if you're pro-the Assad regime, you'll be fine, and the Syrian Christians I've met tend to be pro-Assad.
Jordan's royal family is close to several prominent Jordanian Christian families. I'm pretty sure social life for them isn't too good but when close to the royal family, you can do wonders for your community.
I think Egypt is the only state where Christians aren't living all that swell. The Christians formed the Upper Class of that country until Gamel Nasser came and destroyed their eliteness in the 50s and 60s. However, they certainly aren't an oppressed minority.
I mean, how many people reading this thread knew all this that I mentioned? A lot of Americans I meet go "you're a Middle Eastern Christian? I didn't know your people existed!"
Arab Christians do exist. They make up 40% of Lebanon, 10-15% of Syria, 10-15% of Egypt, 5% of Jordan, and before the creation of Israel, an estimated 20% of Palestine (their numbers have decreased dramatically now).
And when the Western World mentions Middle Eastern Christians, they imply that we're an endangered oppressed minority in the region. Not true. In Lebanon, the president must by law always be a Lebanese Maronite Christian and half the Lebanese parliament is reserved for Christians, as well. A substantial amount of Muslims are fine with this split, claiming that it's the Christians that keep Lebanon very liberal.
Prior to the invasion of Iraq, Christians there lived fine. Saddam Hussein built fine ties with Christians. One of his top advisors was a Chaldean Catholic and Saddam supported Christian groups during the Lebanese Civil War.
In Syria, Christians may not have the 100% of freedom as Muslims, but they're still accepted into society. In Syria, if you're pro-the Assad regime, you'll be fine, and the Syrian Christians I've met tend to be pro-Assad.
Jordan's royal family is close to several prominent Jordanian Christian families. I'm pretty sure social life for them isn't too good but when close to the royal family, you can do wonders for your community.
I think Egypt is the only state where Christians aren't living all that swell. The Christians formed the Upper Class of that country until Gamel Nasser came and destroyed their eliteness in the 50s and 60s. However, they certainly aren't an oppressed minority.
I mean, how many people reading this thread knew all this that I mentioned? A lot of Americans I meet go "you're a Middle Eastern Christian? I didn't know your people existed!"
Just some thoughts.
Because largely what the 'Western World' knows comes from the media. The media is only going to show the bad, and not the good. The reason being that 'good' news, or 'good' things do not attract viewers. While each news company has its reasons for covering up stuff, it all comes back the money and business aspect of the industry.
I don't think MOST "Westerners" (at least the smart ones) deny that there are Arabic Christians...in fact, Arab Christians have been a part of US society from a very early time, many of them very well-regarded.....witness the beloved Danny Thomas..(father of Marlo)....Teen dance-show host Casey Kassem....Jamie Farr ("Klinger" of 'M*A*S*H')....WV Congressman Nick Rahall.....Actor Vic Tayback (of 'Alice') and NUMEROUS others, in politics and in public life....all of them well-liked, and all of them Arabs. What MOST Americans aren't familiar with...and now are getting a very BAD impression of...are Arab MUSLIMS, who are relatively "new" here, at least in the mind of the public. MOST of the Arabic community in America has either been Christian, or non-religious.
As far as Lebanon goes, I have no doubt that its ancient Christian community has a lot of influence and "clout"....as for other nations, my impression isn't all that clear..but I suspect Christians aren't doing especially well in MOST Arabic muslim nations. (I DO know that one of Saddam's trusted 'insiders', Tariq Aziz, was an Iraqi Christian).
For that matter, Americans seem pretty shocked whenever they find out that a black person is from Iran. Iran is, in fact, about 2% black. It's just not something that ever seems to come up.
Strangely enough the populations of Jews in Muslim nations have declined drastically...
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