Can Christian Middle Easterners be regarded as Europeans?

[Wolf]

From a geographical point of view, Europe as a continent doesn't exist. It's in fact the western part of Asia.

Therefore, Europe is defined by its cultural characteristics. The common features of the European countries are Christianity and the Greco-Roman heritage.

Both can also be found in the Middle East. Moreover, Christianity originates in that region and until the Islamic conquest in the 7th century it was the dominating religion. And despite centuries of assimilation and opression, Christian communities can still be found there.

That's why the question arises wether Christian Middle Easterners can be regarded as Europeans?

[FeederOfRavens]

Nay, History and politics have caused the middle east and it's inhabitants to become distinct from what would become Europe.

[Sikeliot]

I basically think of them as like an extension of southern Europe, but their culture still is not, so no.

Though I know in my town most of the Lebanese are Catholic, look Mediterranean, and are quite close to the Italian Americans here and often marry them, so you almost forget that they are Middle Eastern.

[Leto]

Not really, but they have the best chances to integrate into a white community. See Lebanese Christians in the US and Brazil. One of the best examples of successful integration.

[Tacitus]

No, since for the most part the Middle Eastern churches have different traditions/rites than European ones (with the exception of Romanized Maronites and Greek Orthodox), not to mention cultural and genetic differences.

[Wolf]

Nay, History and politics have caused the middle east and it's inhabitants to become distinct from what would become Europe.

What do you mean exactly?

I basically think of them as like an extension of southern Europe, but their culture still is not, so no.

Though I know in my town most of the Lebanese are Catholic, look Mediterranean, and are quite close to the Italian Americans here and often marry them, so you almost forget that they are Middle Eastern.

And what are the main differences?

[StonyArabia]

Depend on the Christian in question, of they are of Bedouin stock they won't relate to Europeans culturally other than following a Christianity and some sect that are European you can say. So it depends. Not all ME Christians descent for. The same people or have the same culture. A Muslim and Christian Bedouin are culturally the same and genetically the same the only difference is religion. I don't know about the other groups they might relate to Europeans on a cultural level.

[Kamal900]

Since WHEN Christianity a European religion? Can Aframs be regarded as white because most of them are Christians? Now, taking to genetics and culture into account, they are far closer to other non-christian middle easterners than to Europeans generally. Being european is about being racially, culturally and genetically native euro, and any compromise in any of these things is regarded as non-white.

[Sikeliot]

And what are the main differences?

Once Lebanese Christians have assimilated into America, their ethnic identity becomes more similar to that of Southern Europeans they live near, is my point.

[Kamal900]

Once Lebanese Christians have assimilated into America, their ethnic identity becomes more similar to that of Southern Europeans they live near, is my point.

True, since that the Maronites, along with the Druze, are genetic isolates, they can be assimilated into the South euro culture, like the ones in Argentina. But still, they are genetically not european, and the only peoples in europe that they can be regarded as euros are the Southern Italians and Cypriots(the Ashkenazim have the greatest overlap with Sicilians).