Why does Lebanon's President HAVE TO be a Christian when only 40% in Lebanon are Cristian?

Show all answers

Aussie

In my opinion it is this very issue which will always cause friction & means that a true democracy is never possible under the current system.

As long as ANY position , President , Prime Minister or Speaker must be filled on the basis of religion there will be disunity , inequality & a weaker governamental system.It also means one person's vote has more power than another's !

This current system is a bandaid approach to a problem that is only going to get worse unless somebody shows the kind of leadership necessary to fix it once & for all !

edit..Kate has given us 3 good reasons why the current system is failing...as long as those holding the three most important positions of authority decide policy on religious grounds & not on what is best for the country &/or the people , there will be no progress towards a trluly democratic process .
Yes , Kate , no democracy is perfect but we don't see our countries wracked by the type of political chaos that is the norm for Lebanon !

Kate :-)

The President is Maronite because 33% of Leb are Christians, the Prime Minister is Sunni because 33% of Leb is Sunni and the Head of the Deputies is Shiite because 33% of Leb is Shiite.
Now it's not the President who rules by himself (actually after the Taef agreement the president's legislative powers diminished and went over to the Prime minister) but it's all three of them who govern over Lebanon...we have something called "dostoor" where all the rules are there to manage all the points concerning ruling Lebanon.
The president cannot come up with something unless the Prime minsiter and the Head of deputies agree...and vice versa
It's always been this way and it has to be because all 3 sects are equally entitled to ruling this country.
About democracy, in my opinion there is no such thing...it's always the most powerful that wins in this case, never the most honest or loved or the "right" man.

webby

As Kate put it above, the system is based on the division of power between the 3 main religions.

But you do have a point, and we should work towards a secular Lebanon where the best man or woman get the top jobs based on how fit they are for the jobs not which God they worship.

C.J.

Its a stupid rule, no one should have to change their faith so they can rule their country, all laws for any religion is just foolish

Swiftwind

40% is quite a lot of people. Theres always been too much conflict with religious voices in Lebanon. Many candidates of varying religions voting for one no matter the religion would be nice. Ideally, I believe the person in power should be neutral in terms of religion, yet learned in theology of all religions as to address issues on both sides. But I suppose that is just too ideal.

Legendary Frog!!

im not a lebanese but i want to know the answer too...

Cedar××œ×™ 10452

Why the Syrian President must be from Al asad Family who represent alaweet which consist 10% of the population in Syria?

The Lebanese President should be Christian because thats was a decision long time ago, now Lebanese Christians in Lebanon ho reside there are estimated as 45% there was no census in Lebanon since 40 years now. Basically as long all immigrant still count on the system so if they do census all imigrant will fill up then the Christians will be 70% in Lebanon. The immigrant who hold dual citizenship.

Now ask about the democracy in Syria, or in Egypt where Husni Moubarak is a president since 1979 and no one dare to go against him, ask about democracy in Saudi arabia where a girl was rapped by 7 man then they jailes and beat the girl because she was not supposedly to go out, ask about democracy in afghanistan in the time of taliban when they use to shoot womans because maybe she ask divorce from her husband. Ask about Democracy in your country where I am sure it doesnt exist.

EDIT: The base of your question where you put the word HAVE in caps means that you dont like the idea of CHRISTIANS ruling therefore the idea of "let anyone win bla bla bla" why dont you suggest this to Syrian regime? Or being pathetic and hide behind your finger is better?

EDIT2: Oh btw My face change sometimes aggressive sometimes smiling it is the way you see it not the way it show :)

EDIT3: So why dont you ask the leadership in Australia why there is no President and why they still follow UK and the QUEEN while they are 16 hours away in the plane. Do you think this is democracy someone ruling a country who is not even next to it!!!

Edit: hate? because you didnt like my answer I am not seeking your acceptance.I am showing the issue in big

G Bone

I agree with Kate.

Undefeatable F

im not christian but i shall admit that Lebanon includes many relegions and 40% is considered a great number and in my opinion i see that the president should not be shosen 4 his relegion but 4 how much he deserves this place

Snorkie

You know that here in south africa all the Lebanese people I have ever met are Roman catholic? Shows you how misinformed I am, always thought that all Lebanese were Moslem.

GREEK BARBiE

Do you even know what democracy is??

A person having the RIGHT to become a president REGARDLESS of his religion!

Because Lebanon is a special case in the middle east where Christians aren't a minority. And please note the BIG efforts Maronites did in saving the Independence of this country throughout history.
it is true that our system is based on sharing power. but i think that the christian president is the one keeping us from becoming "another middle east country".

â™¥ Gloriaâ™¥

That is a good question & if I recall right it was set to be so by the colonial powers to serve their agenda. I am sure you can find a lot about this by reading Middle Eastern history books.

Peace&Love

Gareeb

maronite love jewish , USA love jewish, soooo? Usa and france want maronite presidant,

Patriarch Rolando

well i as a Catholic think its better that way not because of the 40% but because this idea has been working quite well!
if the people have to vote between two Christians then that my dear is democracy!
Maronites Rule!!

Bosco

Because maronites are fascists and they've dominated the country for years and now Nasrallah is changing that. I think they should move to Cyprus if they don't like majority rule in a Muslim-majority country. The world doesn't need another South Africa or Israel.

Halawa

lol becuse if it was a muslim he would probably try to kill all the christians and let hezbollah terroist rule

edit: wow people hate honesty and truth!! lol

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: