It can be difficult to preserve and hold onto religious doctrines in the global village we live in, especially in light of openness, development, and the dominance of secularism. How much more difficult is it for those who travel to corners of the world thousands of kilometers away from their lands, becoming far removed from their community?
This poses a challenge for religions, especially for the Druze, who emphasize strict monotheism, which incorporates Greek philosophy and elements such as reincarnation. The Druze religion is sometimes viewed as secretive due to the non-dissemination of its doctrines and its strict commitment to endogamy (marriage within the community). The roots of these beliefs date back to the eleventh century, when Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, a central figure for the Druze, disappeared under mysterious circumstances and was succeeded by his son Ali az-Zahir, who sought to eradicate the religion. In an effort to preserve themselves, the Druze resorted to secrecy in 1043 and have not accepted new converts since then.
Today, there are approximately one million Druze worldwide, the majority of whom live in Lebanon, Syria, and occupied Palestine; there are between 30,000 and 40,000 Druze in the United States, with California leading other states in terms of numbers. Herein lies the challenge: the faith has survived for more than a thousand years, but for American Druze, ensuring their community's survival beyond the twenty-first century means facing difficult questions about balancing religion and secularism.
For many Druze who grew up in the United States, religion is not part of daily life. Second and third-generation American Druze are often involved in American youth communities, and many drift away from the faith when they enter high school and universities.
According to some, the religion suffers from restrictions that are considered incompatible with contemporary life in the United States. According to a theatre arts professor, who is Druze, the ban on intermarriage alienates many Druze. These issues pose the greatest challenges for young Druze in the diaspora.
To address this reality and bring young Druze back to the sect, spiritual retreats have begun to be organized across the country. These meetings are held approximately four times a year so that young Druze can learn more about their faith.
Added to these challenges faced by young Druze abroad is perhaps the greatest challenge: marriage. Since marriage outside the sect is forbidden, and at the same time finding a partner who is not only suitable but also Druze can seem impossible to some.
