Maronite patriarch Beshara Rai urged Muslims and Christians to cooperate and work towards a tolerant, pluralistic society in Lebanon but he conveniently left out atheists from the equation, while speaking at a mass on June 22.

“We acknowledge the role assigned to us as Christians, [which is] to continue, with our Muslim brothers, the construction a culture of moderation, acceptance of the different other, freedom of religion and belief and pluralism in the age of globalization,” said Rai during Sunday’s Mass in Bkirki.

During the mass, Rai prayed for Lebanese society to be protected from the evils of individuals that challenge its security and institutions that encourage violence. While he included both extreme doctrines, namely Muslims and Christians, in his speech, he somehow left out atheists from the equation.

“On one side, there are religious [political] systems that attempt to eliminate the different others and impose their faith, traditions and laws over them. On the other hand, there are secular atheist systems that dismiss God from the life of the society and state, legitimizing whatever it wants regardless of God’s natural law,” Rai said in what appeared as his poor understanding of atheism.

Maronites constitute the largest community of Christians in Lebanon, a country where politics and religion are inextricably mixed. Traditionally, Maronites have been at the helm of power, holding presidency according to the sectarian dispensation of the country’s constitution. However, the community is deeply divided with different political parties grappling for power. Christians, including Maronites, Armenians, Greek Catholics and Greek Orthodox, constitute less than 40 percent of Lebanon’s population. Reportedly, Maronites, who continue to be affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church despite having their own practices and traditions, make up half of that 40 percent.