A Letter To The Moronite Bishopes Elie Aoun/November 09/2020 إيلي عون: رسالة إلى المطارنة الموارنة
The statement issued (on October 31st 2020) by the Maronite Synod contains errors in faith and politics.
This letter is not intended as a mere form of criticism, but to point out fundamental mistakes that must be corrected in order to save ourselves and the country.
From a religious aspect, the Patriarch made a reference to Christian-Muslim “partnership” and the “Document on Human Fraternity” signed by the Pope and the Grand Imam (in Abu Dhabi on February 4th 2019). Actually that Document negates both Christianity and Islam.
The Document states that “pluralism and the diversity of religions … are willed by God.”
In other words, the Pope and the Grand Imam are stating that all religions are of God – and that is certainly not true.
It is estimated that there are 4,300 religions in the world today. How can they all be willed by God when most of them do not worship the true God? How could God in His wisdom will religions that do not believe in Him and practice against Him?
What happened to the Biblical teaching: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism”? What happened to the Islamic belief “no god but God”?
Furthermore, the Document’s call for “the widespread promotion of a culture of tolerance” is also inaccurate.
When the clergy preach “tolerance,” the morals in society degenerate: corruption, vices, etc. Everything becomes tolerated.
What the clergy need to preach is truth and valid principles. To say that all religions are from God, that is not truth. We are under no obligation to tolerate falsehoods in pursuit of a utopian “humanity” and “fraternity.”
Creating a “fraternity” with the rest of the world has nothing to do with the Christian faith.
To love our neighbor does not mean to become like them and tolerate whatever they do. There are certain truth and principles that must be adhered to.
In summary, this Document of “humanism” is heresy and contrary to true Faith. A true Christian cannot be one with the religions of the world.
Unfortunately, the entire class of clergy – Christian and Muslim – have lost their way. This spiritual corruption is a fundamental reason for all forms of corruption witnessed on a social, political, and economic levels.
Nothing can be corrected in Lebanon without first correcting the spirituality – because everything emanates from it.
With regard to politics, the bishops accused the political establishment of ruining the country and impoverishing the people. However, many of the politicians responsible for this outcome are supported by the clergy, whether Christian or Muslim.
The clergy have authority to influence whoever gets elected to political posts, and they occasionally use that influence to support many politicians. If the political class is a failure, this is an indication of the failure of the clergy’s political selection process. If the clergy truly desire a better class of politicians, then they have to make the effort to achieve that end by supporting morally fit politicians – and not by supporting corrupt politicians and then complain about the status quo.
If an element of saving the country is Lebanese neutrality, the bishops could address this issue in a formal manner with the clergy ruling Iran – to acquire an Iranian acceptance to Lebanese neutrality and to stop interfering in Lebanese affairs.
In the end, nothing can be corrected in Lebanon without first correcting the spirituality – because everything emanates from it.
Without correcting the spiritual corruption, the result of all the clergy’s involvement in politics (Christian and Muslim) is being more destructive than constructive.
