Secularism in Lebanon

Just recently, several activists and people of the Lebanese population marched and protested in Beirut in hope to bring about some change in the current Lebanese government.  Many of the protestors want a secular government because the current one not only functions through religion(s), but has caused a divide in the nation because of the different religions that are practiced there.  Protest groups are pushing for secular reform, but it's very difficult because the separation of church and state "comes second to being a Muslim or Christian..."  There's a composite of 18 groups in Lebanon's system, but the civil rights and liberties of the followers of these groups are decided only by their authoritarian religious figures.  They're the only ones that can address even the basic things like marraige, divorce, birth, adoption, etc.  These things however, differ drastically for the different groups, and also cause a lot of divide in the government and the rights of the people, and not to mention violence among different groups. Protestors, however,  believe that secularism may help ease some of the tenion that's been going on for years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8642385.stm

Submitted by: Hanna Khan