Mandaeanism Threatened As Communities Are Forced From Iraq and Iran

An Associated Press story yesterday reported that one of the lesser-known casualties of the Iraq war is the disappearance of Mandaeanism, a 2000 year old religion that looks to John the Baptist as its great teacher. Only 5000 to 7000 or the original 60,000 Mandaeans remain in Iraq-- and they are in increasing danger of being killed. Many Mandaeans have fled to various parts of the world, including Jordan, Syria and the United States. Mandaean communities have been set up around New York and Detroit. Driven from both Iraq and Iran, many Mandaeans have become successful in their diaspora. However the religion's few dozen priests that are left have failed to agree on how to bring children of mixed marriages into the faith. This creates concern that the religion may not survive