Druidism..what is it really

[TuathaSidhe]

Ok...had some thoughts come to mind that have been sticking with me lately. In doing reseach on Druids, ive seen some say its just a philophosy and some say its a religion..some say its both. That you could be a 'christian druid' and such.

I was just wondering peoples take on it...is it the philophosy that is within a religion? Or can it be in more than one religion or does it pretain mostly to the celtic society?

Im sure there is other stuff I could put with that, but its 1am and im getting tired..heh. Its just, different thoughts going though my head.

Also, I did want to ask, when can one call themselves a druid? I have been looking/searching since i was 18, i'll be 25...I still feel new and feel like I dont know alot...can I call myself a Druid...or a druid 'wannabe' lol. Also, what is the take on female druids? Ive seen lots of different things also on this matter. Ive seen the term 'Dryad' too, but cant really find info on it. Again ive found different things on this pretaining to 'no there were no female druids' to 'yes there were' to 'there were priestess but they were druids'

ahhhhhhhhhh :awilly: :awilly: :awilly:

ok, thoughts/opinions/help/discuss

[Maggie]

Ok...had some thoughts come to mind that have been sticking with me lately. In doing reseach on Druids, ive seen some say its just a philophosy and some say its a religion..some say its both. That you could be a 'christian druid' and such.

I was just wondering peoples take on it...is it the philophosy that is within a religion? Or can it be in more than one religion or does it pretain mostly to the celtic society?

Im sure there is other stuff I could put with that, but its 1am and im getting tired..heh. Its just, different thoughts going though my head.

Also, I did want to ask, when can one call themselves a druid? I have been looking/searching since i was 18, i'll be 25...I still feel new and feel like I dont know alot...can I call myself a Druid...or a druid 'wannabe' lol. Also, what is the take on female druids? Ive seen lots of different things also on this matter. Ive seen the term 'Dryad' too, but cant really find info on it. Again ive found different things on this pretaining to 'no there were no female druids' to 'yes there were' to 'there were priestess but they were druids'

ahhhhhhhhhh :awilly: :awilly: :awilly:

ok, thoughts/opinions/help/discuss

The problem is that in contemporary society the word has become defined by whatever group you go with, there is no "central authority" accepted by everyone. You can find groups that run the gamut from strict reconstructionism to pure philosophy. And how one earns that title depends again on the requirements of the group.

As to the question of female druids--it seems historically that yes, there were female druids. DO NOT read anything by Douglas Monroe and take it as fact. He's the biggest name that I know of insisting that women can't be druids.


Maggie

[Ninjakitten]

Modern Druidism strikes me more as a philosophy rather than a religion, though I guess I should have said "both" because I see it (modern Druidism) as a religious philosophy. From what little I know of ancient Druidism, it sounds to me like it was more of a religion than a philosophy, and modern Druids take what little they know (due to lack of information out there, not of willing ignorance) of the religion and form it into beautiful (though varied) philosophies.

[ajna]

I believe it can be both and that is how I have learned it. As the post before me stated, there is not much known on the ancient history of druidry so what can be gathered is used to form what is "modern druidism". I, personally, use it as a philosophy because it is difficult for me to accept modern druidry as a true religion due to its lack of history (I need that connection to feel rooted).

Religion in itself is extremely personal and the label that is put upon the many belief systems are just ways of better identifying ourselves to other people who may be of like mind with whom we can share our experiences without -- supposedly -- criticism or insults. The more vague the concept or religion this title is standing for, the less need there is for it. I believe that is the case with druidry; it stands more as a philosophy because it is a belief system with loose (vague) history.

Of course, this is just my personal feelings towards the belief system. It can be seen as either one depending on who you ask.

[arianrhods_daughter]

I believe it is both, you can't ignore the religious side of the celtic tradition that many people chose to encompass in their practices and it is also a philosophy, as is with a lot of religions, so to me, it is both

[Mouse]

"That you could be a 'christian druid' and such."

This bit got me, for some reason. I had to reply.

It seems to me that there is a lot of "Christian Druid/Pagan/Wiccan" stuff going on lately. It seems to me that it's a case of people being drawn to another way of life, but not wanting to give up Christanity completely for many reasons. People want the best of everything, and are happy to ignor the parts of their chosen religions that clash.

Most Druids I've met would be offended by the idea of a "Christian Druid", because Christainty wiped out their culture! They were at the top of the food chain (so to speak) before christanity came along.

I should start a thread on this, lol. It could be interesting.

To answer the original question, I think it's both, as are most other religions, and yes, women can be druids as well. :D

just my 2c.
~mouse

[Philosophia]

"That you could be a 'christian druid' and such."
This bit got me, for some reason. I had to reply.
It seems to me that there is a lot of "Christian Druid/Pagan/Wiccan" stuff going on lately. It seems to me that it's a case of people being drawn to another way of life, but not wanting to give up Christanity completely for many reasons. People want the best of everything, and are happy to ignore the parts of their chosen religions that clash.

But what if you weren't brought up Christian and yet still want to embrace Christian Druidry?

[TuathaSidhe]

Hey guys..thank you sooooo much for the replys. When one is doing research/learning about Druidry or the likes it can get really really confusing! Theres alot of different views out there, guess its just a matter weeding through it all and taking the time to do it.

Never really gave my thoughts on it i notice...mainly just stuff that I have found out.

I guess, i think its a bit of both. I know that there isnt alot of solid hard proof out there on this, but there is a little bit, and I think throwing in a bit of common sence in there helps. I do think 'christian (anything) does sound a little bit like an oxymoron, but prehaps it could work....taking different aspects of the religions and putting them together? hmm, i dunno. Personally I think your one or the other...but, thats just for me.

Thanks yall, for the imput

[Mouse]

But what if you weren't brought up Christian and yet still want to embrace Christian Druidry?

You don't need to be bought up Christian to be heavily influenced by it. It's everywhere we look, it's part of our culture, even our legal system is based on it.
But even then I still think its a case of people wanting all the good bits of two or more religions, but not their bad bits. Christianity is very well defined, there is one way, and that way is written in the bible. No where in the bible does it say it's ok to mix pagan practices in with it's teachings.

[Philosophia]

You don't need to be bought up Christian to be heavily influenced by it. It's everywhere we look, it's part of our culture, even our legal system is based on it.

Of course, but we are still under that legal system so combining both (in that context) wouldn't be an issue.
But again, I reiterate, not everybody was brought up the "Christian way". So how does "relunctance to let go" an issue?
Remeber, we maybe heavily influenced but that doesn't mean we are Christian.


But even then I still think its a case of people wanting all the good bits of two or more religions, but not their bad bits. Christianity is very well defined, there is one way, and that way is written in the bible. No where in the bible does it say it's ok to mix pagan practices in with it's teachings.

However, are there a lot of pagan practices within the bible?

[Ninjakitten]

You don't need to be bought up Christian to be heavily influenced by it. It's everywhere we look, it's part of our culture, even our legal system is based on it.
But even then I still think its a case of people wanting all the good bits of two or more religions, but not their bad bits. Christianity is very well defined, there is one way, and that way is written in the bible. No where in the bible does it say it's ok to mix pagan practices in with it's teachings.


Not all of us Christians take everything in the Bible literally. In fact, many of us know about the mistranslations and missing teachings that the Church didn't include as official so they could have more power over others. A lot of us Christians are Christian in the sense that we don't literally follow the Bible, but that we research into Jesus himself, and while we use the Bible as a guide, we don't take it as our only source of finding out how to follow him and a guide. Sometimes, we see teachings of other paths as emulating what he taught and as researching things that he actually did. We also many times don't see the heart of the Christ in our fellow Christians, but in pagans, and so we seek the teachings these pagans with the heart of Christ follow.

BTW, for anyone that doesn't know, I'm a Christian witch (I practice witchcraft and recognize he importance and the elements of Creation). I also have an Order of Druids that is inviting me to join them as a Druid, hence part of why I see Druidism (modern) as a philosophy.

[Mouse]

Yep there are a lot of pagan practices in the bible, remember that early Christains where prosecuted by pagans and adopted/altered a lot of things to both convert the masses and protect themselves. But no where in the bible does it say Christanity is a half finished dish so you can add whatever you like to spice it up.

What I'm saying is unless you are completely home schooled, are surrounded by non-christians who never discuss religion and never venture out of the house around Christmas and Easter, then you will be exposed to Christianity and effected by it to some extent. And even if "reluctance to let go" is not an issue this pretty well covers it.
"I still think its a case of people wanting all the good bits of two or more religions, but not their bad bits."

[Mouse]

Not all of us Christians take everything in the Bible literally. In fact, many of us know about the mistranslations and missing teachings that the Church didn't include as official so they could have more power over others. A lot of us Christians are Christian in the sense that we don't literally follow the Bible, but that we research into Jesus himself, and while we use the Bible as a guide, we don't take it as our only source of finding out how to follow him and a guide. Sometimes, we see teachings of other paths as emulating what he taught and as researching things that he actually did. We also many times don't see the heart of the Christ in our fellow Christians, but in pagans, and so we seek the teachings these pagans with the heart of Christ follow.

BTW, for anyone that doesn't know, I'm a Christian witch (I practice witchcraft and recognize he importance and the elements of Creation). I also have an Order of Druids that is inviting me to join them as a Druid, hence part of why I see Druidism (modern) as a philosophy.

I understand that NinjaKitten, and I know it works for a lot of people. I've met a few people who have blended several paths into one and it works for them, which is great. :) Everyone needs something to believe in. But I still think that a lot of the time it's a case of people wanting all the good bits of two or more religions, but not their bad bits. I guess it also depends on how much of a traditionalist you are too.

[Ninjakitten]

I understand that NinjaKitten, and I know it works for a lot of people. I've met a few people who have blended several paths into one and it works for them, which is great. :) Everyone needs something to believe in. But I still think that a lot of the time it's a case of people wanting all the good bits of two or more religions, but not their bad bits. I guess it also depends on how much of a traditionalist you are too.


True. I don't think any one path holds the entire truth, and no one path can truly claim to not be tainted by politics and mere men wanting some sort of power over others. I think what you are describing are "fluffy bunnies", which I have to say definitiely exist, but are not in the majority for most blended faiths. Other times, it's people not having been brought up in any sort of systematic faith, which is a group I fall into, and see truth in many different paths, yet at times see different truths (but are truths nonetheless). I guess "eclectic" would actually be the best in describing people like me, and since my foundation for truth (though not my absolute indicator of what is true) happens to be Christianity (possibly from influence by a Christian based culture), eclectic Christian would be the most accurate way to describe me.

[StephanieAine]

"That you could be a 'christian druid' and such."

This bit got me, for some reason. I had to reply.

It seems to me that there is a lot of "Christian Druid/Pagan/Wiccan" stuff going on lately. It seems to me that it's a case of people being drawn to another way of life, but not wanting to give up Christanity completely for many reasons. People want the best of everything, and are happy to ignor the parts of their chosen religions that clash.

Most Druids I've met would be offended by the idea of a "Christian Druid", because Christainty wiped out their culture! They were at the top of the food chain (so to speak) before christanity came along.

I should start a thread on this, lol. It could be interesting.

To answer the original question, I think it's both, as are most other religions, and yes, women can be druids as well. :D

just my 2c.
~mouse


Well, maybe some *modern* Druids would be offended by the idea, but the reality is that there *are* Christian Druids. The concept isn't very strange, either, because being a Druid wasn't a way of describing a person's religious beliefs and practices; it was a way of stating the social class a person belonged to. The Druids were the lawyers, judges, doctors, professors, historians, teachers, and other professionals in the culture. They celebrated the seasonal festivals, yes, but then again, so did the rest of the people - druid or not - because everyone was pagan. That is, until Christianity arrived, and some chose to become Christian instead.

There was no culture-stealing going on, at least as far as the Irish Druids/pagans were concerned, because there was no conquest/religious-conversion-by-force. Some Druids also changed to Christianity - but some say that the Druids who became Christian monks simply blended their new Christian beliefs with their previous Celtic pagan beliefs.

In modern times, things are a bit different among contemporary Druids - considering the level of animosity some have toward Christianity due to their personal experiences pre-conversion. Those negative experiences and views certainly could lead modern Druids to embrace pagan beliefs and hold a negative view of Christian Druidism... but I don't believe that the same can be said for the ancients.

[Sage Rainsong]

I put both because it depends on the group. For example the OBOD (website: http://druidry.org/) they see it as more of a philosophy. So in the OBOD you can be a Christian, Pagan, or even an Atheist and be a druid. However, other groups like ADF (of which I recently became a member) or the Henge of Keltria the practices and Beliefs are much more specific.

[Meadhbh]

I put both because it depends on the group. For example the OBOD (website: http://druidry.org/) they see it as more of a philosophy. So in the OBOD you can be a Christian, Pagan, or even an Atheist and be a druid. However, other groups like ADF (of which I recently became a member) or the Henge of Keltria the practices and Beliefs are much more specific.

Your right it really depends on the group or persons take on it. Some are pagan by default but there are a lot of people out that combine druidism with other faiths. Wicca is one of the groups that I see a lot of blending with druidism for example. But on the other hand there are a lot of druid/christains as well. I guess it all depends on how willing your are to work with it.

[Meadhbh]

I put both because it depends on the group. For example the OBOD (website: http://druidry.org/) they see it as more of a philosophy. So in the OBOD you can be a Christian, Pagan, or even an Atheist and be a druid. However, other groups like ADF (of which I recently became a member) or the Henge of Keltria the practices and Beliefs are much more specific.

Your right it really depends on the group or persons take on it. Some are pagan by default but there are a lot of people out that combine druidism with other faiths. Wicca is one of the groups that I see a lot of blending with druidism for example. But on the other hand there are a lot of druid/christains as well. I guess it all depends on how willing your are to work with it.

[Meadhbh]

I put both because it depends on the group. For example the OBOD (website: http://druidry.org/) they see it as more of a philosophy. So in the OBOD you can be a Christian, Pagan, or even an Atheist and be a druid. However, other groups like ADF (of which I recently became a member) or the Henge of Keltria the practices and Beliefs are much more specific.

Your right it really depends on the group or persons take on it. Some are pagan by default but there are a lot of people out that combine druidism with other faiths. Wicca is one of the groups that I see a lot of blending with druidism for example. But on the other hand there are a lot of druid/christains as well. I guess it all depends on how willing your are to work with it.