Cain and Abel

'Cain was very angry and downcast … and while they were in the open country, Cain set on his brother Abel and killed him" Genesis 4:8

'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth; it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father … a man's enemies will be those of his household.'Mathew 10:34-36

More than a week has passed since everybody in Lebanon especially the religious leaders like the Maronite Patriarch Sfeir and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Hazim have taken the initiative to downplay the closure of MTV television station and the clamp down on liberties and the freedom of speech to just a family feud between two brothers namely Michel Al-Murr and Gabriel Al-Murr.

It is not our intention to be drawn in a discussion with both highly esteemed leaders but we cannot at the same time overlook the fact that this rhetoric is wrong and tendentious in order to shift and shroud the flagrant truth.

The national and political life in Lebanon has two distinct roots: on the one hand, it is complete submission to Syrian occupation; on the other hand, it is connected to the call of freedom, liberty, national independence and justice. At issue is not the fact that there two opposing brothers but rather the fundamental need to distinguish clearly between good and evil and to act and speak accordingly.

The truth, the bible says, shall make you free (John 4). It is also a psychic necessity, particularly in today's world, which is why we will all be better off when truth overwhelms diplomacy which tends to defend the indefensible.

Michel Al-Murr chose willingly the first root but his brother Gabriel chose the root of freedom and truth. Injustice is by definition intolerant of justice and this is the simple truth of what happened in Lebanon with the shut down of MTV. Bishop Aoude said it is Cain and Abel; true when we realize that Cain has set himself on, not only, to slaughter his brother's yearning to liberate his country from the ruthless Syrian occupation but also to clamp down on liberties and take the sun of freedom to the guillotine.

Jesus says, we have to leave our parents, sisters, brothers and friends for the sake of truth. This is what MTV and its staff courageously did and now they are the living martyrs of truth, freedom and an independent Lebanon.
FWYLB
Free World Youth – Lebanon
Beirut, 16 September 2002