On the ground: a Christian in Lebanon

By George Anon

Edited by Kohlton Holsapple

September 28th, 2024

My experience as a Christian in Lebanon is complicated. We Christians don't really hold power in this conflict. We're suffering Israel’s retaliatory actions alongside Hezbollah. We have not even a president to represent us; only a caretaker parliament composed of a mix of political parties that can seldom reach any agreement. Not to mention the Lebanese army, God help them, as they're also a victim of this conflict.

Growing up, Christians always held some sort of power, there was always a president that at least tried to unify all the religions of the country. Despite the normal occurrence of skirmishes between Christians and Muslims, they always resulted in the army intervening and calming things down. This only lasted for a couple of years, after which, Christians and Muslims would isolate further from each other. Times have changed. Seeing the Shias take over my country to fight Israel feels different, and wrong.

My experience and feelings on the ground in Lebanon is complex. My father is in our home village while I'm away, in a city north of Beirut. I can't blame him. I'd say it's safer for him there. I have been filled with confusion, fear, empathy and indifference. Confusion from the fog of war that comes part in parcel with this conflict, such as Israeli airstrikes that were conducted in seemingly random places, or acts of useless violence from each side. Fear comes from the thought that one of my close or extended family members will fall victim to a bomb. Empathy is what I feel for the innocent men, women, and children that died or got injured in the bombings and strikes.

For those, however, who are fighters in Hezbollah, and those who sacrifice themselves for HASSAN NASRALLAH, and not Lebanon itself: to those people's death or injuries I feel indifference. It's their war, not mine, all I know and pray is for God to be protecting me and my family.

Want to have conversations like these? Consider joining our community discord server to join in the discussion.

Did you enjoy this piece? Please leave a like and a comment to help support this website so more can access it.