Britain recognizes Druidry as religion for first time, gives it charitable status

[Wulfhere]

Then why are you celebrating Indo-European "paganism"? It's as foreign to these Isles as Christianity.

Bring back neolithic, pre-Cetlic British "paganism" I say! Ooh wait.. I forget, there were no Christian texts of that time for you to reconstruct your "religion" from .

Paganism in general is not alien to Britain, and Indo-European Paganism is not alien to either the Celts or Anglo-Saxons.

[Murphy]

I have been an active member of the Pagan scene for nearly 30 years, and I assure you I know what I'm talking about.

You have thirty years on your side? Well, on my team I have two millenia's worth of history, culture, tradition, (natural) science and theology. I win .

[Wulfhere]

You have thirty years on your side? Well, on my team I have two millenia's worth of history, culture, tradition, (natural) science and theology. I win .

Moron.

[Murphy]

Paganism in general is not alien to Britain, and Indo-European Paganism is not alien to either the Celts or Anglo-Saxons.

"Paganism" is not alien to these Isles of course, but the "paganism" you advocate is. The Celtic culture, the Saxon culture etcetera, etcetera, are alien. In that they did not originate here and were imported by invaders.

So.. yea.

[Loki]

You aren't LOLing at them yourself? I thought you had an unfavourable view of religion/theism generally.

No, absolutely not. I'm mentioning mainstream views on them. As for myself, Druidism is no more or less legitimate than any other established religion.

[Psychonaut]

But seriously.. this "Druidry" cannot appeal to people in the long run. It's too simple, it lacks depth.

That there are simpletons involved in Druidry (as there are in all other religions) is definite, but if you happen to pick up next year's volume of my publication, you'll see that its best representatives are capable of treating Druidic theology with as much depth and clarity as any Catholic theologian.

My friend, you are deluding yourself. As hard as it is to believe, Aprician-heathens like Psycho' are not typical of modern "paganism".

True, but we're doing what we can to turn the tide. As one of your heroes (Chesterton) said:

"I have a vision, and I know
The heathen shall return.

They shall not come with warships,
They shall not waste with brands,
But books be all their eating,
And ink be on their hands."

The Ballad of the White Horse, VIII:246-251

Unlike Islam, which has its appeal in its simplicity, "paganism" today is too simple. There is some depth in Islam, there is non in this "Druidry".

How would you know? Have you read anything that their luminaries have written? Have you engaged them in theological debates?

You have thirty years on your side? Well, on my team I have two millenia's worth of history, culture, tradition, (natural) science and theology. I win .

Neo-Druidry has a longer history than almost any other Pagan revival. The first Druidic society in modern times was founded in 1772. And, unlike Heathenry, their religion has never been co-opten by Nazis, so their growth wasn't stunted the way ours was.

[Cato]

No they weren't? The Romans were crucifying, burning and tossing every Christian they could get their hands on to the lions. The Romans were hell-bent on blaming every social ill on the Christians (much like today many are want to do with the Jews).

Do you really honestly believe this?

[Murphy]

Do you really honestly believe this?

It's a simple fact.

Holy Mother Church grew from the seeds sown by the blood of Holy Martyrs. The Romans provided for many of them, including Saints Peter and Paul.. Italy is riddled with their tombs.

[RoyBatty]

Neopaganism, druidry, "heathenry" etc. is only tolerated because it is so impotent. If it actually had th chance of threatening the current (or new) order and reducing the power of the established forces then it would be attacked, like certain other groups.

Indeed, by none other than the so-called "secularists" who are in fact a Cult themselves whilst claiming not to be one.

The "secularists" cunningly attack existing religions and religious orders in order to promote and further their own agendas such as multiculturalism, liberal "values", "tolerance", Marxism etc. They want the masses separated from their previous identities so that they can re-educate them in the secularist image and lead them to secularist utopia.

[Murphy]

That there are simpletons involved in Druidry (as there are in all other religions) is definite, but if you happen to pick up next year's volume of my publication, you'll see that it's best representatives are capable of treating Druidic theology with as much depth and clarity as any Catholic theologian.

You must forgive me for being sceptical.. but I simply don't believe it. Northern European paganism is the religion of the barbarian. That in its self should show that there is no true depth to it. It is much like African or Amerindian paganism in this regards.

There is nothing to develop because the high point of the theology has been and went and its watermark was.. well disappointing.

There are many other pagan faiths to choose from though. Some that don't require reconstruction, such as the Hindu philosophies or Taoism etcetera. And these are faiths and philosophies with depth enough to rival Catholicism.

Why not go with one of them?

True, but we're doing what we can to turn the tide. As one of your heroes (Chesterton) said:

"I have a vision, and I know
The heathen shall return.

They shall not come with warships,
They shall not waste with brands,
But books be all their eating,
And ink be on their hands."

The Ballad of the White Horse, VIII:246-251

We're? You'll be a Christian by the time your 40 Psy ..

And you've taken Chesterton out of context. See The Everlasting Man to see Chesterton's view on what paganism was and is.

How would you know? Have you read anything that their luminaries have written? Have you engaged them in theological debates?

I think you've missed my point. The reason I haven't had the chance is because they are so rare and far between .

Neo-Druidry has a longer history than almost any other Pagan revival. The first Druidic society in modern times was founded in 1772. And, unlike Heathenry, their religion has never been co-opten by Nazis, so their growth wasn't stunted the way ours was.

Any real continuity? Any real seriousness in it? Aren't most "pagans" today simply Gothic teenagers "rebelling" against society?