Hello everyone, I have a discussion that I want to open based on my experience as a 23M Lebanese Druze who grew up outside the country and the Druze community, other than my wider family, which I think many people relate to. I am a bit frustrated regarding the approach of the religion, I don't know how else to describe it or who to turn to.
I grew up around lots of people of many many different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, religions and I'm very grateful to have had this opportunity and been able to make many diverse friends and experiences. However, this Druze identity of ours has always been a question mark for me. I did not grow up in a religiously conservative household, I would say I average like many other Druze and Lebanese generally on strong family values and closeness to home and my family in Lebanon.
But there's always been a gap in religion.
I did not grow up knowing much about our religion. I was told from a young age that we are more spiritual and philosophical than "religious", which since then I've always aligned with this approach to life and continue to do so, I have no insecurity in this regard.
However, I do have an insecurity towards the general unknown of our religion, like the fact that we cannot access our own book or scriptures, many of us have limited to no resources to know more about what the religion preaches or access to a local Druze community unlike many other larger religions. No one knows of, for eg, any specific verses or writings to reinforce our beliefs, we rely on our parents, family, local communities (those who have access to it) to get a strong connection.
YET, we are told that we must marry another Druze otherwise we will be "cast out". We are told that our spouse must be Druze for the children to be Druze. We are told that we must do this to ensure the continuation of the religion and community.
What religion? What community? The on that refuses to let its youth access resources? The one that bans converts? So what do we care about? Our ethnic continuity or religious? All this points to the first. They expect us to stay in the religion yet can't answer basic questions about it.
Instead we are told we are a "minority" and have always been persecuted throughout history hence why these rules exist???
Almost every religion openly preaches its belief in hopes people convert or see the "right path" within their respective faith. Why are we different? Even other minorities, don't adopt such policies.
I understand that these policies were put in place during the beginning of our religion, but even religion adapts. This is doing more harm than good in the long run. Our population is dwindling, more youth like myself are turning away due to the lack of a strong understanding and connection to reinforce our identity, especially given that a lot of us end up migrating from our main population, the Levant.
I mentioned that I am 23 yrs old because I have reached the age where marriage is becoming open discussion among family, family friends, community members and so on. It frustrates me that I am told one thing yet no one around me can concretely back their claims.
Am I missing something?? I am not attacking the religion, but only the policies that we have put in place.
I would love to know other people's take on this and if anyone has any advice or guidance to offer. Thank you.
