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Death, Destruction and Extremism: Are Syrian Christians Doomed if Rebel Fighters Seize Control?

By C. J. Refsland on September 5, 2013 • ( 3 )

My comment: Remember that our president and congress, specifically john McCain, and others are backing these rebels while they remain silent about the persecution Christians face. Pray for all the people in Syria, pray for strength and courage for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Pray for the innocent children.

No one can deny that the situation in Syria is dire. Death and destruction are ever-present. And when terror and chaos emerge, minority groups often have much to fear.

That’s especially true for Syria’s Christians, who make up about 10 percent of the nation’s population. Increasingly, they’re being caught in the crossfire between numerous Islamic groups.

In a recent report, CNN provided a recap of the many religious sects that have a stake in the current Syria crisis. With the vast majority of the Middle East being Islamic in both governance and personal faith allegiance, being a non-Muslim in the region can be difficult.

That in mind, the rebels, who are generally Sunnis, see Christians as supporters of President Bashar al-Assad and his government (Assad’s government is part of the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam), the Associated Press reports.

And that raises the question: If Syrian rebels take control of the country, does that mean doom for the nation’s Christians?

Are Syrian Christians Doomed if Rebel Fighters Seize Control?

Rebel fighters ride on a motorcycle on al-Intilaq street in Syria’s eastern town of Deir Ezzor, on September 3, 2013. The cost of the devastating conflict in Syria has topped the $1.5 trillion mark, a study published in the country’s daily Al-Watan said, as bombings, fighting and sabotage take their toll. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Why Christians Are Caught in the Middle

Assad’s regime has been brutal in its handling of protests, but its treatment of Christians has surprisingly been seen as fair by some. Rebels, however, haven’t been as polite.

CNN has more about this dynamic — one that complicates how this group handles itself in the crisis (emphasis added):

Under Assad, Christians had more rights than in many Middle Eastern countries, with the freedom to worship and run schools and churches. Their rights were limited however. The Syrian constitution says the president must be Muslim, for example.

According to UN reports, rebel fighters have targeted Christian communities, shooting up factories and detonating car bombs in Christian neighborhoods.

In addition, many Christians – in Syria and in the United States – fear the fate of Christians should Sunni fundamentalists take power in Syria.

While some see the rebels as freedom fighters looking to take their nation back from the arms of a brutal dictator, others fear what might come of Christians and other minorities should these groups seize power. Will the rights that Christians secured under Assad be eroded? It’s certainly too early to tell, but the signs we’re seeing so far aren’t very encouraging.

At the moment, one thing is for certain: Syrian Christians are caught in the middle of a deadly and unpalatable crossfire.

Read the full article from the Blaze