Violence
around the world in the wake of a sleazy anti-Muslim video has overshadowed the
rebellion in Syria against the Assad regime. Following the overthrow of regimes
in Tunisia and Egypt, the Syrian uprising has been largely cast as a Muslim
sectarian conflict.
Sectarian
violence in not limited to Islam. Historically, Christians have fought each
other over issues of the faith, including the Protestant/Catholic violence in
Northern Ireland. But that conflict was less direct religious opposition and
more a political hijacking of differences in belief.
Much the
same can be said of the rebellion in Syria against the Assad regime. Much has
been said of Muslim factions fighting each other. But King Abdullah of Saudi
Arabia has stated: “Any sane Arab, Muslim, or anyone else knows that this
uprising has nothing to do with religion, ethics, or morals.”
The
uprisings across the middle east have been against totalitarian regimes that
exploited and oppressed the population. The brutal repression of the Assad
regime in Syria is simply an extension of that oppression.
Why are most
of these uprisings eventually successful. Few doubt the ability of Assad to
win. Some have suggested Assad’s brutal crackdown has sufficiently reduced his
legitimacy to weaken him and bring him down. But Stalin survived his greater
cruel regime.
The
reason why the Syrian uprising will probably succeed is a simple equation: the
oppressed have nothing to lose, the oppressors have everything to lose. Those
with nothing to lose, are prepared to give their lives; those with much to
lose, guard their lives for it. Eventually, the stronger motivation will win.
That is why
Christianity stands or falls according to the depth of its believer’s devotion.
Do we reckon ourselves devoted, for life or death, to His cause? Our answer may
be the measure of the ability of Christianity to survive.
