Lebanese Atheists: Do You Feel Less Lebanese?
Résumé
In r/Lebanon, members discuss whether identifying as atheist or agnostic can make someone feel less connected to Lebanese identity. The conversation explores everyday traditions, including fasting, religious holidays, family worship, saints, icons, and pilgrimage, and how these shape a sense of belonging.
Lebanese Atheists: Do you feel less Lebanese?
Lately I have been thinking about something personal and kind of heavy and I wanted to hear from other Lebanese.
For those of you who identify as atheists (or agnostic) do you ever feel like you’re somehow “less Lebanese” because of it?
Iam not talking about politics or sectarian labels. I mean the day to day stuff:
Not going to church on Sunday or to the mosque with your family, not fasting, not celebrating religious holidays the traditional way, not engaging in the rituals that are so tied into our culture. Not believing in saints, 2eddis Charbel, or pilgrimage.
Not decorating your house with icons or photos of divines and saints. Not doing the typical holiday rituals or big religious gatherings.
Sometimes it feels like all those things are part of being Lebanese. And when you don’t participate, you start to feel like you’re watching from the outside looking in.
Post Author: /u/TheBroken0ne
Content Warning: None
