I like that you took the time to go through the druze, you mentioned al-Hakim, I actually made a video about him ruclips.net/video/oGEriZrbHjM/видео.html where I argue that his entire rulership is a lot more complex than a lot of people give him credit for.
Great video, since the Druze, Alawites, Alevis, Yazidis, Arab Christians, Assyrians, Jews, Copts, Zoroastrians and Turkmen are the most interesting people in the Middle East/Western Asia.
I love how even a loaf of bread can meaningfully follow along and learn something. Your cadence is perfect- it never seems like we’re being “lectured at”. Sincere thanks from me and my crusted brethren!
Yeah he does great work. One of the best channels on RUclips for this sort of thing. He's very academic in his research and presentation and stays away from personal conclusions or bias. He gets to the meat and bones of things and I love it.
@@sskspartan 1, it’s Muwahiddun not Muwahidden. 2. We’re not “from Isnotreal” our roots are Lebanon Syria Jordan and Palestine 3. There’s no conversions. Druze are descendants from bloodlines and status is rightfully determined as such. No mixing. Among the many other items in the video that are misleading.
I really appreciate how this video and Let’s Talk Religion’s Druze video are both the same information, but presented in such different points of view that it doesn’t become redundant to watch both. They’re both valuable informative videos about this ethno religious group. Excellent piece, I can’t wait for your new channel.
When I visited Israel at 14 we stayed in a Druze village for some days. I couldn't really speak with them but did interact quite a bit with some merchants and they were kind and hilarious, very welcoming. I didn't know much at all about them or what made them Druzes in the first place. Thank you for explaining.
as an Israeli the Druz are very respected in our society, theyre a minority but they love the country and the country loves them i think the respect mostly comes from them being some of the only native people who serve in the army besides jews, protecting their land is a big value for them from what i understand
@@user-xu2qg2zf6u So they resemble the indigenous people. Yes, yes, their appearance says this. They do not have very, very white skin, unlike the indigenous people
I'd love to see a video about Alawites, we're also a bit secretive about our faith, but there should be enough public info about us. I'm not personally religious and my family didn't really push that onto me so I'd love to learn more about our history and things like that.
(Not to mistake with the Alevis) Especially since they not so secretly rule Syria. They hold the top position in politics, including the president Bashar al-Assad, and the military. There's even a special force Alawite unit. During the fight against ISIS, an Alawite soldier left behind a very old, small book containing teachings of the Alawites (they called them Nusayrites) and it fell into the hands of an ISIS soldier. Something very rare, since the religion is usually practiced in secret and the foundation of it is usually transmitted from father to son. Before an Initiation practice (if I remember correctly) and not written down. I found the clip on RUclips. The ISIS soldier was reading parts of it which he found to be especially "shirk" (against tauhid and thereby unislamic). Like Ali being a deity. It was not an ISIS propaganda clip. But by a soldier standing in the ruins of a position recently given up by the Syrian army. So it appeared to be real. I'd love to have to seen/read the whole book! Edit: I found another clip where some else present the book! ruclips.net/user/shortsiqypA9JBsx8?si=9-35mkV0ZMZhkIK-
Jesus is God the religion Druidism was inspired by Islam. The Gospels were written by Jesus eye witnesses Matthew , Mark , Luke and John with several claims Jesus called himself God.
The Druze religion is really interesting. Seekers of Unity recently made a couple videos about the Druze people and they actually went to the celebration at Jethro's tomb. It was really fascinating and inspiring and I highly recommend watching it if anyone wants to learn more.
@@TheWorldTeacher Hmm well I would say that I am a panentheist. I do believe in God, though not the typical modern American Christian concept of God. The reason is simple. I know God. I've seen God. I've experienced God. Up until that day, however, I did not believe, I could not believe. I still don't believe. I know. 😉
This is amazing, I'm venezuelan and most of the arabs that I've met are druze. My best friend and his family are all druze and they are the coolest, nicest and smartest people that I've met. Druze are good people, very polite and nice.
Haha nice! I was hoping to see a Druze video sometime. Before watching the video, I think I remember them being described as a Gnostic version of Islam while they happened to really like the South American Yerba Mate tea (which I happen to love drinking too, lol).
Im a Druze I'm American but my Sitti which means grandmother is from majdal shams which is a village in Golan Heights. I'm very very proud to be Siri and to be Druze.
Thank you for spread knowledge of little known religions as well as the larger ones. I’m an atheist now but I continue to be interested in religion and history. I firmly believe that we must learn from history and other cultures to further our chances of making our world a better place.
Excellent exposé on this little known group. Based on your description of their history and religion, it sounds as if they have a solid belief system that could have universal appeal. I look forward to more on this topic.
I go to university in Israel and my neighbors are Druze from the Golan heights. They've become close friends of mine and are very dear people. They have a special place in my heart. ❤️
The neo-Platonic belief structure of the Druze seems very similar, in my mind, to Maimonides’s Guide for the Perplexed. It’s obviously not a 1 to 1, but the origins of both the Druze and Maimonides are roughly contemporaneous- Maimonides lived just over a century after the religion was founded, so it wouldn’t be suprising if neo-Platonic and Druze influence was still around in Egypt, where Maimonides spent most of his life.
Even the term “emanations” appear in Kabbalah, God is present in the world through eleven (one is hidden) “emanations” that constitute his “body” (which is “existence” or the entirety of the Universe, very similar to Tawhid)
@TheGuiltsOfUs yes, it is, and a very recent religion. You can't just incorporate stuff from different faiths like they did, when these religions all constradict each other. Yet some Druze genius here in the comment section said that they are the original.
When traveling through northern Israel about 10 years ago, our tour guide pointed out some Druze who were walking and noted their unique dress. It was the first time I had ever heard of the group. I'm glad to finally get a bit more information on them.
I wouldn't say so. Mormons often criticize creedal Christians for having too much Greek or Neoplatonic influence in their religion, while the Druze are a product of Neoplatonic influence on Islam. Mormons believe that intelligence and matter always existed, and that creation was God organizing that intelligence and matter into the universe, in contrast to the creedal Christian and Neoplatonist belief that God is the origin of everything, including matter. Mormons also believe that God has a physical body, and that human souls and spirits are a finer or more subtle form of physical matter, rather than being independent of it. The Druze also are a closed religion that does not accept conversion or intermarriage, in contrast to Mormons who are evangelical.
I first became aware of the Druze during reporting of war and civil war in Lebanon. They were portrayed a tough fighters dedicated to independence of the community, rather than partisans who were siding with factions fighting for civil authority. They have interested me since. Thanks for filling in some gaps here.
Now THAT is an interesting story! I wish you would do a RUclips documentart talk with power point slides showing the pictures if you have any. That would be really cool and it really hasn't been well documented outside of the Arab workd
@@ZeeHilal they are tough fighters because they have 3 important things. Their lands, their women and holy sites. They fight to the end if any is a threat and never leave their lands!
Druze are the real chosen ones. Jesus was one of their prophet that was spreading the religion of Druze and like many other Druze prophets that were letting others know that even if you think you are bad and have done bad you can cleanse yourself and join god and Druze. Christians use those in a wrong way and a priest can wash your sins if you confess as if they are god!
Waited for this very long)) From my experience, Druze people of northern Israel are very kind and hospitable, but if someone hurts or humiliates their people, they will respond very strongly. Middle-Eastern tribalism is pretty much alive and kicking around here. Their villages are usually in the mountainous regions, for defence purposes. They do have a big difference between initiated and non-initiated people. Regular "secular" Druze don't know much about their practices, but still marry within the community. Observant sheikhs know a lot, but won't tell you anything=)) Respect these people very much.
I definitely understand why they’d be tribalistic. They have been oppressed throughout history and I think that there’s nothing wrong with them being defensive of their communities.
Thank you for putting this out, I was shocked by the misleading of OTHER videos, but this video is way more accurate than those and actually proves our history, thanks again.
@@JoanneArc-or9srlmao then stop bombing them druze muslims and Christians in syria when you're not even in a war with them. If you're not that unhinged
It's interesting that, apart from believing in reincarnation, the Druze use the same 5 colors that are used in Tibetan Bon religion (the so called "five pure lights"), where they are also emanations (but in this case of emptiness).
AND the same colors you see in more contemporary forms of Western Esotericism; such as certain symbols among certain Masonic bodies, e.g. the Order of the Eastern Star.
actually secretive reasons, but some come from the region to our religious temple which is an actual school to us, that shows suspect with the contact of ours even when miles and miles apart us, we do share a lot, not sure if we're the same though, it's actually interesting.
I worked at kibbutz El Rom in the Golan Heights back in the early 00's (I'm South African btw). I visited the local Druze village near the kibbutz and I gotta say we went for the fabulous street food! I had no idea they have links to the Abrahamic faiths! Really enjoyed the informative video! Just subbed!
You worked at a kibbutz and you're South African? You must be Israeli as well. Aren't all jews Israeli citizens first then wherever they come from second?
@@olliefoxx7165bro. People from all over the world are coming to work in kibbutz. Well a lot of them are Americans but not all of them and not all of them are Jewish. Mostly just people that want to contribute to Israel
@@Sgr667 Wow. People from all over the world showing up to "contribute" to Israel. Working for free to give the fruits of all their labor to one of the richest nations on the planet. The single biggest recepient of US aid in the world. I wish we had random people showing up in our country to "contribute" to America. Israel is such an amazing place that even non-jews work for free to contribute to it. Simply an unbelievable place.
@@olliefoxx7165 I answered your question. There was no need for sarcasm.dude. and yes. It is called volunteer work. Something you probably never heard of.
@@Sgr667 I know what it is and I used sarcasm to politely push back on a narrative. Jews from various nations all over the world go to Israel to contribute toward their shared/one true homeland. It's what unites them all together. Nothing wrong with that. I wish people in my country put their nation first. I think it's admirable.
druze as society truly magnificent group, strong families and balanced state of mind. i admire their way of beeing great part in any country they live in ( as a Jewish Israeli i see them as brothers) by the way what's make them similar to Judaism that the faith does not want to convert the one who don't want
AH THANK YOU SIR! GOD BLESS YOU! TO BE HONEST, THERE'S TIMES WHEN I THINK I CAN RELATE BETTER TO THE DRUZE THINKING ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS. I'VE HAD NO REAL DEEP STUDY ABOUT THIS BUT I'VE ONLY ENCOUNTERED "UNEXPLAINED OCCURENCES" & LISTENING TO YOU I AM AMAZED. MORE POWER TO YOU SIR, YOUR SERVICE TO HUMANITY'S EDUCATION IS APRECIATED BY MY WHOLE BEING. MAY GOD KEEP YOU STRONG & ABLE. MAY GODLY WISDOM LIGHT & GUIDE YOU THROUGH ALL YOUR DAYS AHEAD. TCARE KINDLY PRAY SIR, MAY GODLY WISDOM LIGHT & GUIDE WORLD LEADERS, THE WORLD OF NATIONS, ALL OF HUMANITY, MAY THE HUMAN RACE ACHIEVE HARMONY IN DIVERSITY, PEACE & PROSPERITY.
The belief in sort of prophet-like figures in other religions as well as their own is an interesting concept, one I think also exists in Ahmadiyya islam. Hope this channel does a video about that group as well at some point.
@@yurichtube1162 It's also interesting that, to my understanding, groups as divergent as *Druze* are recognized as muslims by some sunni (at least as stated in one Fatwa from Al-Azhar in Egypt), while the Ahmadiyya community who to their core identify as muslims, are not.
@@supremelegal Okay, if you say so. I have no such credentials, so I'll take your word that that is the case presently. I was going off of a declaration to that effect made in 1959. But if it isn't authoritative in the present, fair enough
Wow, this was a fantastic episode with so much accurate information. There is a lot of secrecy in the Druze religion; even I, as a Druze, don't know about it! 😂
Great stuff. Kinda amazing to think the druze today are druze only because 1000 years ago their ancestors decided to become druze in a small window of opportunity.
@@YaverMemolibaba are you from Latin America? There was a great migration wave from ottoman Syria to the americas in the early 19th century , could be that
@@YaverMemolibaba oh! I think the DNA test got it reversed, I believe you shared the same ancesstory as some durzi families in the Levant who are originally for turkey/ cacusse (see arslan family) and later became druz
Very interesting video. One aspect of Druze culture you left out was the tendency to be very loyal to the government of the country they reside in. Many Druze serve in the Israel Defense Force (some at very high officer levels) and might end up fighting (possibly related) Druze serving in the Syrian or Lebanese military.
NOO WAIT we would never do that .. yes it's true but the part that states that we would fight each other for political things is wrong .. cause you would be kicked out of the community if you do so
@@Barasamanall I knew about was reincarnation and the secrecy for survival. Also, I had met some Druze friends over the years. They were friendly but stick to themselves for the most part (at least in my experience).
I asked for this video a long time ago, I doubt this was uploaded because of that comment but I’m so glad you made this! There seems to be sparse information online about them
After taking a genetics test I discovered that I am part Druze. Apparently there can be no mistake as the group is so small. So I am also a blue eyed Druze.
@@MrCyclist it’s an ethnicity in certain countries that were founded by European settlers in the Middle East. They’re not real. The DNA just says your family members.
As an atheist raised Catholic I must say I love your videos man. Not for some sort of cathartic confirmation bias, but because it's so interesting to learn about the histories of different cultures from a religious perspective even not believing in any spirituality myself. I love traveling and learning about other cultures so this is almost like taking a short 17minute plane trip to visit this specific culture, I recommend you to everyone I know religious or not!
Hi there, firstly: nice clip and a nice informative channel in general. I end up up here occasionally an always find the shared information infomative in one way or the other, not essentially due to new facts or so but the overviews are presented in a pleasantly compact way without being too consice (searchterms are indeed provided). 👍 Anyhow, at about 14:40 the term 'transmigration of the soul' is mentioned. I am aware of the fact that, apart from the Druzes, the Yazidis c.q. Sharfadin-believers also believe in some variation of soul transmigration but there are two points of attention here: Sharfadin are indeed thought to be partially non-Abramahic and of some older Persian spiritual extraction with an ancient Vedic background (which makes the whole idea less alien to their tradition). Furthermore other Yarsanis, at least as far as I have understood, also tend towards the belief in some form of reincarnation. Secondly it should be mentioned that certain Judaic traditions also explicitly adhere some idea of soul transmigration, mainly due to the qabbalistic school of thought; therein it is mentioned as "Gilgul ha-Nemshahot". The whole notion of transmigration of the soul (or certain aspects of it) is apparently less uncommon then 'we' seem to have been assuming and is always attributed to traditions that are either considered ancient and pagan or Dhramic, erroneously so it seems.
Is there a plan to have full captions? I would like to share this video with my hard-of-hearing friend and the current captions are sometimes inaccurate.
I don’t understand the druzes. You may be the real Islam. You might be another different comment of Islam. Don’t take the sunni muslims’ into consideration…
The 3% given by a 23-and-me test doesn't necessarily mean that 3% of your ancestors were Druze, but that 3% of genes relevant to the test match those that have been associated with the Druze. It's a subtle but important difference.
@@jared_bowden can you explain more? I mean I obviously know that Druze refers to an ethnic group as well as a religion, and DNA tells me nothing about religion, but what am I missing about having an ancestor belonging to that ethnic group? How is it not like the French, Irish, Native American, and Mongolian DNA that makes up the other 97%?
@@FrJohnBrownSJ The people who formed the Druze community initially had relatives that did not become Druze. The genes common to the Druze community now would have been passed down by those relatives to other people who were not Druze.
It is interesting that the Druze seem to characterize mind as pre-dating soul, in a theistic-cosmic sense. I wonder how common this is in theorized models of soul across different religions and philosophies. Indeed from the Judeo-Christian sense it feels like there is often a significant overlap between the two concepts.
Someone in the comments said "a reformed Islam" and i agree. I worked with one of them and no matter how he explained it i still saw it just as a sect of Islam ...but they don't like being associated with Islam .
we dont accept the 5 main pillars of islam and we dont pray 5 times a day like them. women dont need to cover their hair, and men can only marry one woman. tbh as a druze i find it similar to islam only that we celebrate eid al adha and the faith recognizes muhammad as a prophet (this is still debatable)
Excellent video! Amazing how Druze religion became so unique although it had its roots in Shia Islam. Hope one day you will expose Shia Islam. I heard that its clerics are very influential and its followers are dominant despite being a minority.
Shia thought permeates all of Islam at the base level because Shia is the branch that actually develops a theology. The Sunni branch is largely concerned with the practical legal side of the religion, which is why their scholarship mostly focuses on the hadith. It's the Shia branch that tends to move out into more philosophical endeavors. Think of it this way: the Sunni teachers debate whether lobsters are halal or haram because none of the hadiths or the Quran itself says anything, but the Shia teachers wonder WHY none of the scriptures talked about lobsters if they truly represent the all-knowing God's words - and by extension what it tells us about the nature of God.
For long-form interviews, subscribe to my second channel here!: ruclips.net/video/UdzOIBdYbXc/видео.html
yo do video on green man ty
ruclips.net/video/BHTbJqMaFAw/видео.html
I like that you took the time to go through the druze, you mentioned al-Hakim, I actually made a video about him ruclips.net/video/oGEriZrbHjM/видео.html where I argue that his entire rulership is a lot more complex than a lot of people give him credit for.
i know of some druze marry outside of their religion. George Clooney wife most famous example.
Great video, since the Druze, Alawites, Alevis, Yazidis, Arab Christians, Assyrians, Jews, Copts, Zoroastrians and Turkmen are the most interesting people in the Middle East/Western Asia.
I love how even a loaf of bread can meaningfully follow along and learn something. Your cadence is perfect- it never seems like we’re being “lectured at”. Sincere thanks from me and my crusted brethren!
@No pretty sure that's an elaborate joke
The shellular sea bois are with you bread lad
But I'm not loafing
As one of The Drews I’ve always related to the Druze
Funny, you don't look Drewish.
STOP 😂
🤡
Based
What drew you to that conclusion?
As a Druze I’m very impressed with this video. Everything I hear is accurate. Thank you
Yeah he does great work. One of the best channels on RUclips for this sort of thing. He's very academic in his research and presentation and stays away from personal conclusions or bias. He gets to the meat and bones of things and I love it.
I’m not sure if you’re Druze, but you mustn’t be uqqal if you think this is “correct”
@@farestimani9204 please enlighten us
@@sskspartan
1, it’s Muwahiddun not Muwahidden.
2. We’re not “from Isnotreal” our roots are Lebanon Syria Jordan and Palestine
3. There’s no conversions. Druze are descendants from bloodlines and status is rightfully determined as such. No mixing.
Among the many other items in the video that are misleading.
@@farestimani9204 nah actually most of it are correct and accurate
As one of the Druze, I thank you so much for this video and all these accurate information about us.
How accurate?
I found it interesting. Truth and wisdom are a value to any community.
I really appreciate how this video and Let’s Talk Religion’s Druze video are both the same information, but presented in such different points of view that it doesn’t become redundant to watch both. They’re both valuable informative videos about this ethno religious group. Excellent piece, I can’t wait for your new channel.
Good Girl! 👌
Are you VEGAN? 🌱
Yup I agree
Ethnoreligious group? We’re a distinct indigenous group, not “ethnoreligious”
@@farestimani9204 How do you distinguish between the terms?
@@chendaforest ethnoreligious is a belief, we’re actually distinct and from our lands. This is factual not perceived to be true.
When I visited Israel at 14 we stayed in a Druze village for some days. I couldn't really speak with them but did interact quite a bit with some merchants and they were kind and hilarious, very welcoming. I didn't know much at all about them or what made them Druzes in the first place. Thank you for explaining.
Your so sweet! I can see why they liked you!
as an Israeli the Druz are very respected in our society, theyre a minority but they love the country and the country loves them
i think the respect mostly comes from them being some of the only native people who serve in the army besides jews, protecting their land is a big value for them from what i understand
@@noammkw3770Protecting their land from the Khazari and Europeans, says Britain
@@noammkw3770 Why would the Palestinians serve in the IDF? That would be like Jews serving in the Wehrmacht.
@@user-xu2qg2zf6u So they resemble the indigenous people. Yes, yes, their appearance says this. They do not have very, very white skin, unlike the indigenous people
I'd love to see a video about Alawites, we're also a bit secretive about our faith, but there should be enough public info about us. I'm not personally religious and my family didn't really push that onto me so I'd love to learn more about our history and things like that.
Better stay to original Islam, then form other religions involving unusual thinkings of some philosophers
(Not to mistake with the Alevis)
Especially since they not so secretly rule Syria.
They hold the top position in politics, including the president Bashar al-Assad, and the military. There's even a special force Alawite unit.
During the fight against ISIS, an Alawite soldier left behind a very old, small book containing teachings of the Alawites (they called them Nusayrites) and it fell into the hands of an ISIS soldier. Something very rare, since the religion is usually practiced in secret and the foundation of it is usually transmitted from father to son. Before an Initiation practice (if I remember correctly) and not written down.
I found the clip on RUclips. The ISIS soldier was reading parts of it which he found to be especially "shirk" (against tauhid and thereby unislamic). Like Ali being a deity.
It was not an ISIS propaganda clip. But by a soldier standing in the ruins of a position recently given up by the Syrian army. So it appeared to be real.
I'd love to have to seen/read the whole book!
Edit: I found another clip where some else present the book!
ruclips.net/user/shortsiqypA9JBsx8?si=9-35mkV0ZMZhkIK-
Jesus is God the religion Druidism was inspired by Islam. The Gospels were written by Jesus eye witnesses Matthew , Mark , Luke and John with several claims Jesus called himself God.
Do you call Ali ibn Abu talib god incarnate?
I watched one about the Alawites, that's when the algorithm suggested this video.
The Druze religion is really interesting. Seekers of Unity recently made a couple videos about the Druze people and they actually went to the celebration at Jethro's tomb. It was really fascinating and inspiring and I highly recommend watching it if anyone wants to learn more.
Are you a THEIST? 🤔
If so, what are the reasons for your BELIEF in God? 🤓
@@TheWorldTeacher Hmm well I would say that I am a panentheist. I do believe in God, though not the typical modern American Christian concept of God.
The reason is simple. I know God. I've seen God. I've experienced God.
Up until that day, however, I did not believe, I could not believe. I still don't believe. I know. 😉
@@justinbirkholz, you have SEEN God?
Did you get his EMAIL address? ;)
@@TheWorldTeacher Yeah, why?
@@mrrec0very956, Are you VEGAN? 🌱
This is amazing, I'm venezuelan and most of the arabs that I've met are druze. My best friend and his family are all druze and they are the coolest, nicest and smartest people that I've met. Druze are good people, very polite and nice.
Yes, but they're probably the most rare religion of all arabs.
I've met a few living in Isreal. Very decent ppl.
@ in Venezuela most of them are Druze, it was odd when I found out I thought they were Muslims
They seem like blessed, nomadic people
As a druze im happy to see our religion getting know by others since there aren't many druze in the world
Hello. I want to learn more about your religion, i find it very interesting
@@MoukhlesDerbal I'm glad 😄,I'll be happy to answer any questions I know the response off, what would you learn more about?
@@iRxyanMD thank you. Firstly, do you guys consider yourself Muslims?
@@MoukhlesDerbal no we do not
@@iRxyanMD Do you rever greek philosophers?
Haha nice! I was hoping to see a Druze video sometime. Before watching the video, I think I remember them being described as a Gnostic version of Islam while they happened to really like the South American Yerba Mate tea (which I happen to love drinking too, lol).
Im a Druze I'm American but my Sitti which means grandmother is from majdal shams which is a village in Golan Heights. I'm very very proud to be Siri and to be Druze.
RIP to all the people who passed away from the majdal shams massacre. If you havd any loved ones there I hope theyre ok
you are welcome in majdal anytime
I'm a jew from Australia with Persian Heritage I'm so sorry for your losses recently .
@@satiricgames2129 converted Persian...do DNA test 😅
@@satiricgames2129 yeah aslong as u arent with israel
Thank you for spread knowledge of little known religions as well as the larger ones. I’m an atheist now but I continue to be interested in religion and history. I firmly believe that we must learn from history and other cultures to further our chances of making our world a better place.
As a Druze from Lebanon I appreciate you wanting to know about our culture
How can you be atheist with such great power in this world? God is with us you got to find him inside you my friend
@robray6721 i searched for god inside myself and thought I felt it. Turns out it was just indigestion
I am Christian and I respect your opinion. I also love learning about other cultures and religions.
Excellent exposé on this little known group. Based on your description of their history and religion, it sounds as if they have a solid belief system that could have universal appeal. I look forward to more on this topic.
Very close to muslims way of living just different traditions and beliefs
They’re an ethnoreligion, so their faith isn’t to share or meant to have appeal.
When I was a high school student, I lived with a Druze family near Haifa for a few days.
I go to university in Israel and my neighbors are Druze from the Golan heights. They've become close friends of mine and are very dear people. They have a special place in my heart. ❤️
I first learned about the Druze on a trip to Israel in 1990. The tour bus went to the Tel Dan reserve and drove through a Druze community on the way.
They also participate in defending Israel from terrorism.
@@alveirtus1501 Israël is thé terrorisme
@@alveirtus1501 yes they make excellent second class citizens
@@joeg4609What are you talking about? They serve in the military, which means they’re equal.
I was waiting a long time for a Druze people video ❤
Thanks!
The neo-Platonic belief structure of the Druze seems very similar, in my mind, to Maimonides’s Guide for the Perplexed. It’s obviously not a 1 to 1, but the origins of both the Druze and Maimonides are roughly contemporaneous- Maimonides lived just over a century after the religion was founded, so it wouldn’t be suprising if neo-Platonic and Druze influence was still around in Egypt, where Maimonides spent most of his life.
Even the term “emanations” appear in Kabbalah, God is present in the world through eleven (one is hidden) “emanations” that constitute his “body” (which is “existence” or the entirety of the Universe, very similar to Tawhid)
The Druze faith is just a hodgepodge of ancient superstitions.
@TheGuiltsOfUs yes, it is, and a very recent religion. You can't just incorporate stuff from different faiths like they did, when these religions all constradict each other. Yet some Druze genius here in the comment section said that they are the original.
When traveling through northern Israel about 10 years ago, our tour guide pointed out some Druze who were walking and noted their unique dress. It was the first time I had ever heard of the group. I'm glad to finally get a bit more information on them.
North of Palestine
Northern Israel is really nice especially some of the older cities. I met a Druze man at some sort of academic function once, really charismatic guy.
@@اغسليديكياهذا actually I own the Levant now. It's now called religion land
@@ericmoralesgomez6513 I'm a ateist living in Israel, sorry, religion land, dear president. Please don't exile me🤣
Also how I learned of them.
My Dad once said that the Druze are to Islam what Mormonism is to Christianity.
I think it's more like Druze is to Islam as Christianity is to Judaism - there are many parallels there
@@megazekemeister good analogy there😄
I’m Muslim and I’d say ahmadiya are more Mormon like. Both are heretical and not Islam.
@abdel-qudus1143 whoaaa, shia do not worship ali RA. ik you werent trying to say that but that's what you implied
I wouldn't say so. Mormons often criticize creedal Christians for having too much Greek or Neoplatonic influence in their religion, while the Druze are a product of Neoplatonic influence on Islam.
Mormons believe that intelligence and matter always existed, and that creation was God organizing that intelligence and matter into the universe, in contrast to the creedal Christian and Neoplatonist belief that God is the origin of everything, including matter. Mormons also believe that God has a physical body, and that human souls and spirits are a finer or more subtle form of physical matter, rather than being independent of it.
The Druze also are a closed religion that does not accept conversion or intermarriage, in contrast to Mormons who are evangelical.
I first became aware of the Druze during reporting of war and civil war in Lebanon. They were portrayed a tough fighters dedicated to independence of the community, rather than partisans who were siding with factions fighting for civil authority. They have interested me since. Thanks for filling in some gaps here.
Now THAT is an interesting story! I wish you would do a RUclips documentart talk with power point slides showing the pictures if you have any. That would be really cool and it really hasn't been well documented outside of the Arab workd
@@ZeeHilal they are tough fighters because they have 3 important things. Their lands, their women and holy sites. They fight to the end if any is a threat and never leave their lands!
Druze are the real chosen ones. Jesus was one of their prophet that was spreading the religion of Druze and like many other Druze prophets that were letting others know that even if you think you are bad and have done bad you can cleanse yourself and join god and Druze. Christians use those in a wrong way and a priest can wash your sins if you confess as if they are god!
@@robray6721 Yeah,yeah, you also believe in constant number of renicarnating souls which contradicts reality that Human population is ever increasing.
@@robray6721Druze wasnt around when Jesus was. thats a lie.
Due to recent events in Syria, I have become obsessed with the country's ethnic diversity, so this video came to me at the perfect time. Thanks a lot!
I too am concerned. The area where most religions came from seems plagued with much contention.
Thank you for this explanation of our faith and its connection to the rest of the communities, even if it detracts from a lot of information🙏🏻
Waited for this very long)) From my experience, Druze people of northern Israel are very kind and hospitable, but if someone hurts or humiliates their people, they will respond very strongly. Middle-Eastern tribalism is pretty much alive and kicking around here. Their villages are usually in the mountainous regions, for defence purposes. They do have a big difference between initiated and non-initiated people. Regular "secular" Druze don't know much about their practices, but still marry within the community. Observant sheikhs know a lot, but won't tell you anything=))
Respect these people very much.
I definitely understand why they’d be tribalistic. They have been oppressed throughout history and I think that there’s nothing wrong with them being defensive of their communities.
In 2013, they cut off a non-Druze guy's genitalia for messing with a Druze girl 😂 (in Lebanon) FAFO
Thank you for putting this out, I was shocked by the misleading of OTHER videos, but this video is way more accurate than those and actually proves our history, thanks again.
I really enjoyed this video. I'm very interested in all religion and long wanted to know more about the Druze. Thank you. 🙏🕊🌹💞
Used to visit their village in north Israel, always loved going there with the family
jewish?
@@K-newborn the jews get along with the druze mate. FS. Not everyone is unhinged like the southern lebanese and palestinians, iranian government.
@@JoanneArc-or9srlmao then stop bombing them druze muslims and Christians in syria when you're not even in a war with them. If you're not that unhinged
@@JoanneArc-or9sr unhinged? that's exactly the term "Israel" should be described with.
@ColomaEughari it's a bot bro isreali hasbara in overdrive since they started there ghetto liquidation
It's interesting that, apart from believing in reincarnation, the Druze use the same 5 colors that are used in Tibetan Bon religion (the so called "five pure lights"), where they are also emanations (but in this case of emptiness).
I wonder if there’s any reason for that?
Three prime colours plus green and white.
AND the same colors you see in more contemporary forms of Western Esotericism; such as certain symbols among certain Masonic bodies, e.g. the Order of the Eastern Star.
actually secretive reasons, but some come from the region to our religious temple which is an actual school to us, that shows suspect with the contact of ours even when miles and miles apart us, we do share a lot, not sure if we're the same though, it's actually interesting.
A superb video production. Very informative. Thank you.
I remember the Druze well. During my time with the UN peacekeeping, I found them the most reliable ally.
I love the Druze. They are such sweet people.
I wish we could know more about their theology.
🤗❤🔥
famed radio DJ Casey Kasem whom was also voice of Shaggy Roberts from Scooby Doo was a member of the Druze
Great video as always, the mostly unknown and somewhat esoteric middle eastern religions are incredibly interesting
I worked at kibbutz El Rom in the Golan Heights back in the early 00's (I'm South African btw). I visited the local Druze village near the kibbutz and I gotta say we went for the fabulous street food! I had no idea they have links to the Abrahamic faiths! Really enjoyed the informative video! Just subbed!
You worked at a kibbutz and you're South African? You must be Israeli as well. Aren't all jews Israeli citizens first then wherever they come from second?
@@olliefoxx7165bro. People from all over the world are coming to work in kibbutz. Well a lot of them are Americans but not all of them and not all of them are Jewish. Mostly just people that want to contribute to Israel
@@Sgr667 Wow. People from all over the world showing up to "contribute" to Israel. Working for free to give the fruits of all their labor to one of the richest nations on the planet. The single biggest recepient of US aid in the world. I wish we had random people showing up in our country to "contribute" to America. Israel is such an amazing place that even non-jews work for free to contribute to it. Simply an unbelievable place.
@@olliefoxx7165 I answered your question. There was no need for sarcasm.dude. and yes. It is called volunteer work. Something you probably never heard of.
@@Sgr667 I know what it is and I used sarcasm to politely push back on a narrative. Jews from various nations all over the world go to Israel to contribute toward their shared/one true homeland. It's what unites them all together. Nothing wrong with that. I wish people in my country put their nation first. I think it's admirable.
Very excited about the upcoming podcast!
druze as society truly magnificent group, strong families and balanced state of mind. i admire their way of beeing great part in any country they live in ( as a Jewish Israeli i see them as brothers) by the way what's make them similar to Judaism that the faith does not want to convert the one who don't want
Do good that they killed 100 people on q village in Lebanon
Love this channel tremendously..Top Tier Scholarship.
im israeli and my best friend from uni is a druze
some of the best ppl i ever meet
Thank you for this. The Druz have always been a subject of great interest to me. Terrific topic, like all of your videos!
I'm seriously impressed that you can pronounce these names, Dr. Henry. I love your videos.
Honestly his Arabic pronunciation isn't very good.
@@Salsmachev yeah, like HACK-ihm should be huh-KEEM
Not really tho
sounds like a very very interesting idea this tawheed. love it.
AH THANK YOU SIR! GOD BLESS YOU! TO BE HONEST, THERE'S TIMES WHEN I THINK I CAN RELATE BETTER TO THE DRUZE THINKING ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS. I'VE HAD NO REAL DEEP STUDY ABOUT THIS BUT I'VE ONLY ENCOUNTERED "UNEXPLAINED OCCURENCES" & LISTENING TO YOU I AM AMAZED. MORE POWER TO YOU SIR, YOUR SERVICE TO HUMANITY'S EDUCATION IS APRECIATED BY MY WHOLE BEING. MAY GOD KEEP YOU STRONG & ABLE. MAY GODLY WISDOM LIGHT & GUIDE YOU THROUGH ALL YOUR DAYS AHEAD. TCARE KINDLY PRAY SIR, MAY GODLY WISDOM LIGHT & GUIDE WORLD LEADERS, THE WORLD OF NATIONS, ALL OF HUMANITY, MAY THE HUMAN RACE ACHIEVE HARMONY IN DIVERSITY, PEACE & PROSPERITY.
I have long wanted to be informed about Druze. Thank you I found this vlog.
The belief in sort of prophet-like figures in other religions as well as their own is an interesting concept, one I think also exists in Ahmadiyya islam. Hope this channel does a video about that group as well at some point.
Ahmadi's are seen as heretics by sunni and shia muslims. One of the few rare occasions they agree with each other.
@@yurichtube1162 It's also interesting that, to my understanding, groups as divergent as *Druze* are recognized as muslims by some sunni (at least as stated in one Fatwa from Al-Azhar in Egypt), while the Ahmadiyya community who to their core identify as muslims, are not.
@@vallraffs no Muslim authority accepts them as Muslim and i am a Muslim who studied Arabic and Islamic theology i know what i am talking about
@@supremelegal Okay, if you say so. I have no such credentials, so I'll take your word that that is the case presently. I was going off of a declaration to that effect made in 1959. But if it isn't authoritative in the present, fair enough
@@supremelegal What counts as Muslim to you? Accusations of apostacy or being a nonbeliever are shockingly common in the Muslim world.
Excellent work. Thank you so much. ❤
They are among the best and most educated in the Arab world❤❤
Thank you 😄
Great episode and very well narrated!
Wonderful people. I’m an Israeli Christian and we have tremendous respect for them. Love the Druze ❤
no respect for someone who supports israel
Why do you hate Israel so much antisemitic boy?
Very interesting. Thank you for the information.
Druze are gorgeous people! Israel is highly value their Druze population. They are survivors and kind at the same time.
How?
@@Aiden_MuslimWhat are you asking?
@chickensalad3535 Syria has the largest Druze population then followed by Lebanon then Israel
Thank you very informative. Prior to your video I knew very little of this Faith.
As Lone Star once said, "Oh great. That's all we needed. A Druish princess."
Lol
Wow, this was a fantastic episode with so much accurate information. There is a lot of secrecy in the Druze religion; even I, as a Druze, don't know about it! 😂
Great stuff. Kinda amazing to think the druze today are druze only because 1000 years ago their ancestors decided to become druze in a small window of opportunity.
And one of them Druze is going to marry George Clooney , small world I guess
I have 11,5% Druze ancestry, according to Dna tests, didnt have a clue..
@@YaverMemolibaba are you from Latin America? There was a great migration wave from ottoman Syria to the americas in the early 19th century , could be that
@@KD-oy8qt no, i am caucasian turk:)
@@YaverMemolibaba oh! I think the DNA test got it reversed, I believe you shared the same ancesstory as some durzi families in the Levant who are originally for turkey/ cacusse (see arslan family) and later became druz
Very informative video 😊😊😊 from Malaysia 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾
Very interesting video. One aspect of Druze culture you left out was the tendency to be very loyal to the government of the country they reside in. Many Druze serve in the Israel Defense Force (some at very high officer levels) and might end up fighting (possibly related) Druze serving in the Syrian or Lebanese military.
Military
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military
German Druzes 💀💀
The opposite of the Jehovah Witnesses
@@ionatanmacbhaididh5736 the jws say they're never loyal to the government and refuse to fight in all wars
NOO WAIT we would never do that .. yes it's true but the part that states that we would fight each other for political things is wrong .. cause you would be kicked out of the community if you do so
Can't wait for the podcast!!!
Great information
Proud to be one of them.
Also the Druze made great history in the Levant
Thanks for posting
Love it! Learned something new today. Thank you 💜
Purple Heart
wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart
@@junesilvermanb2979 Thank you for this piece of trivia! Hope you learned the difference between a medal and an emoji ✌️🤭
My father is Druze 😊 Thank you for this!
💚❤️💛💙⚪
" Druze and proud "
Thank you! Waited a long time for this video !!
When you learn more about Druze from a RUclips video than from living in Lebanon for a quarter century. It's always been a secret to non-Druze 😂
secret? you dont talk to druzi people?or do they not talk to y'all?
asking for real
@@BarasamanGo Cry Elsewhere...
@@Barasamanall I knew about was reincarnation and the secrecy for survival. Also, I had met some Druze friends over the years. They were friendly but stick to themselves for the most part (at least in my experience).
I asked for this video a long time ago, I doubt this was uploaded because of that comment but I’m so glad you made this! There seems to be sparse information online about them
I'm From Venezuela and have seen that star in my hometown, never knew what it meant until now
maracaibo?
Great video! Thanks so much :)
There are also Druze in Israel/Palestine. My youngest brother is Druze from Israel. They are a fascinating people.
not in palestine, they wld never be in palestine as palestinians see them as traitors
palestine no israel
@@Moshmushh ISRAEL no Fakestina
Brilliant channel.
After taking a genetics test I discovered that I am part Druze. Apparently there can be no mistake as the group is so small. So I am also a blue eyed Druze.
You're only a druze if both of your parents are druzes.
Since Druze is a religion and not an ethnicity I fail to understand how a genetic test can apply. Just a query.
@@MrCyclist they’re an ethnic group
@@MrCyclist ethnoreligious group
@@MrCyclist it’s an ethnicity in certain countries that were founded by European settlers in the Middle East. They’re not real. The DNA just says your family members.
Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
As an atheist raised Catholic I must say I love your videos man. Not for some sort of cathartic confirmation bias, but because it's so interesting to learn about the histories of different cultures from a religious perspective even not believing in any spirituality myself. I love traveling and learning about other cultures so this is almost like taking a short 17minute plane trip to visit this specific culture, I recommend you to everyone I know religious or not!
Hi there, firstly: nice clip and a nice informative channel in general. I end up up here occasionally an always find the shared information infomative in one way or the other, not essentially due to new facts or so but the overviews are presented in a pleasantly compact way without being too consice (searchterms are indeed provided). 👍
Anyhow, at about 14:40 the term 'transmigration of the soul' is mentioned. I am aware of the fact that, apart from the Druzes, the Yazidis c.q. Sharfadin-believers also believe in some variation of soul transmigration but there are two points of attention here: Sharfadin are indeed thought to be partially non-Abramahic and of some older Persian spiritual extraction with an ancient Vedic background (which makes the whole idea less alien to their tradition).
Furthermore other Yarsanis, at least as far as I have understood, also tend towards the belief in some form of reincarnation.
Secondly it should be mentioned that certain Judaic traditions also explicitly adhere some idea of soul transmigration, mainly due to the qabbalistic school of thought; therein it is mentioned as "Gilgul ha-Nemshahot". The whole notion of transmigration of the soul (or certain aspects of it) is apparently less uncommon then 'we' seem to have been assuming and is always attributed to traditions that are either considered ancient and pagan or Dhramic, erroneously so it seems.
Glad to learn about the druze never knew such religion existed
Did you say ..... Podcast?!?! Oh yeah, I have endless mind numbing hours at work I fill with Podcast. So awesome.
Is there a plan to have full captions? I would like to share this video with my hard-of-hearing friend and the current captions are sometimes inaccurate.
Excellent. Thank you!
Can you do a video on the Quakers? It's a very interesting faith group with a very rich history
Very happy to hear about a Religion For Breakfast podcast!
Love the Druze! They are amazing, morally upright people!
Thank you 😄
Fascinating, thank you.
Druze here, would like to specify that while it is referred to as an “ethnoreligion”, we are not an ethnic group, strictly a religious one.
I don’t understand the druzes. You may be the real Islam. You might be another different comment of Islam. Don’t take the sunni muslims’ into consideration…
@@AFBLYSThey aren't Islam, just an offshoot of it. They're very much their own thing...
@@adrianblake8876 I said this might be real Islam, u misunderstood it…
@@AFBLYS They don't believe Mohammed is their prophet, for starters...
But Google says that they Believe in Muhammad .
Good job! Thank you
I work for druze from Lebanon here in virginia
thank you❤
Took the 23 and me DNA test and found out I was 3% Druze. Surprised me knowing a few Druze who told me that they were completely endogamous.
The 3% given by a 23-and-me test doesn't necessarily mean that 3% of your ancestors were Druze, but that 3% of genes relevant to the test match those that have been associated with the Druze. It's a subtle but important difference.
@@jared_bowden can you explain more? I mean I obviously know that Druze refers to an ethnic group as well as a religion, and DNA tells me nothing about religion, but what am I missing about having an ancestor belonging to that ethnic group? How is it not like the French, Irish, Native American, and Mongolian DNA that makes up the other 97%?
Maybe statistical noise
@@FrJohnBrownSJ The people who formed the Druze community initially had relatives that did not become Druze. The genes common to the Druze community now would have been passed down by those relatives to other people who were not Druze.
@@stevenglowacki8576 I see. So if I'm understanding you correctly, the Druze marker might not be the exclusive Druze marker 23 and Me claims?
Interesting, as always. A pleasure to watch.
The Druze have a really beautiful symbol of all things.
Thank you ❤
so another offshoot of another offshoot ?
Sounds like the Southern Baptist. A shoot off from another shootoff
Very interesting video on a topic that is hard to find information on!
It is interesting that the Druze seem to characterize mind as pre-dating soul, in a theistic-cosmic sense. I wonder how common this is in theorized models of soul across different religions and philosophies. Indeed from the Judeo-Christian sense it feels like there is often a significant overlap between the two concepts.
Someone in the comments said "a reformed Islam" and i agree. I worked with one of them and no matter how he explained it i still saw it just as a sect of Islam ...but they don't like being associated with Islam .
we dont accept the 5 main pillars of islam and we dont pray 5 times a day like them. women dont need to cover their hair, and men can only marry one woman. tbh as a druze i find it similar to islam only that we celebrate eid al adha and the faith recognizes muhammad as a prophet (this is still debatable)
I think the One isn't intellective for Plotinus. The Intellect is, and it's second to it.
I have literally watched this over breakfast. Very informative about a subject which I know very little about.
Could you cover the Shepard of Hermas?
Very interesting!. Thankyou :)
Excellent video! Amazing how Druze religion became so unique although it had its roots in Shia Islam. Hope one day you will expose Shia Islam. I heard that its clerics are very influential and its followers are dominant despite being a minority.
Shia thought permeates all of Islam at the base level because Shia is the branch that actually develops a theology. The Sunni branch is largely concerned with the practical legal side of the religion, which is why their scholarship mostly focuses on the hadith. It's the Shia branch that tends to move out into more philosophical endeavors. Think of it this way: the Sunni teachers debate whether lobsters are halal or haram because none of the hadiths or the Quran itself says anything, but the Shia teachers wonder WHY none of the scriptures talked about lobsters if they truly represent the all-knowing God's words - and by extension what it tells us about the nature of God.
@@andrewsuryali8540 that’s an extremely simplistic and inaccurate view.
@@andrewsuryali8540 inaccurate