cuchulain

Indeed Brother Kaman, I just thought I would share my view, since I never have before that I am aware at least. Thanks for taking the time to read.

I realize, looking back, that rarely if ever have I defined what I view as druidry. So, I place this here as my discourse. There are those who refer to themselves as druids. Some of them claim an ancestral link, some sort of passed down tradition allegedly dating back to the time of the ACTUAL druids. They always typically refer to themselves as ACTUAL druids, while everyone else must inherently be a pretender, I suppose. These are people who claim druids can only be taught by other druids, who are ancestral. I ask them, who taught the first druid, at which point they usually quit talking to me. I don't intend to alienate anyone with this, it is a legitimate question in my view, and if they could answer it great. Ah well. Then there are those who claim I can't be a druid, because all the druids died or were killed off, and there aren't any written records left. I ask them, how did the first druids become druids, without written records? At that point they stop talking to me. So, for my brand of druidry, I explain that I believe it to be a living system, evolving, incorporating, expanding and excluding. There are ideas behind how the original druids practiced, and why. Those are what I feel are important to any modern druid in the making. Sure, we will all look different in the end, but the core values of what make up a druid are still there. The dimensions I refer to are community, art, healing, metaphysical, natural philosophy, teaching, and service. Any modern druid would probably incorporate these dimensions within their practice, but since this is my view of druidry I can say these are the points that I consider to be crucial. A druid should incorporate themselves into the community. The druids of old had no issue with politics, in point they subsumed politics as a part of their domain. I have no issue getting into political debates, as well as suggesting ideas to the politicians in my town and county for improvement of the community. This is something that any good citizen should feel able to do, I believe. Art doesn't necessarily refer to music, or painting, or the like. Rather, art as in doing something exceptionally. Make what you love an art, and pursue it with the vigor it deserves. Become skillful at something useful, so that you have the ability to take pride in your work. For myself, I take pride in any job I have at the time. But my primary job is that of cleric, for which I do not charge. I am artful in my approach and interactions with the people of my community. Healing refers to physical, emotional, and spiritual for me. This can come in many forms, but usually the people I interact with come away with something, or at least I would like to think they do anyway. I have counseled others from time to time, usually to their benefit. Metaphysical for me denotes anything that might be considered occult, spiritual, or for the atheists, nonexistent. I believe in spirit of place, I feel like certain places have an energy all of their own that can be altered and manipulated. I believe in ritual to alter the state of mind in practices such as meditation. I understand that not everyone believes, and some require proof. The thing is, I am not required to prove anything, as I don't infringe on other people with my practices. I don't ask others to believe, I simply believe myself. Natural philosophy, any sort of philosophy really. As those on this forum probably know, I like to debate, whether on the side I believe or the other, it doesn't really matter. The act of debating philosophy strengthens the mind terrifically. I also incorporate knowledge of biology and physical sciences here. I think a druid should be able to identify various muscle tissues, which plants are which, and constellations. Not all druids agree, of course. Teaching, that is almost self explanatory, eh? I like to teach, and I think passing on knowledge is half the point at least of gaining the knowledge in the first place. Of course, the teacher often learns from the student. Shaping is a principle I believe in. Force and counterforce work together, I shape the world I live in, but of course I am shaped by the world I live in as well. Interaction on a dynamic scale. Service is the highest calling, in my opinion, and I have seen that somewhere before but cannot recall where. In service, we give to others our time, something that is valuable to me. But beyond that, what good is having ability and skill if it isn't shared? At least, that is my view. Feel free to disagree, I am certain there are many here who do These are the basics of my brand of druidry, incorporated with Celtic mythology and the Celtic year. When I read mythology, I incorporate what it might mean in terms of druidry with my understanding and decide whether I believe it to be relevant or not. Sometimes it isn't. Usually I can find a piece of truth or two in most myths. And they are fun to read. I just thought I would share what I view to be the druidic path, since I have never done so comprehensively before on this forum about sharing our beliefs(or non beliefs, as the case may be, Johnathan). Feel free, of course, to interact and debate with me, I enjoy it.

Science as an idea doesn't care one way or the other, true. My religion doesn't reject science. I am sure there are others who don't as well. If science disproves something I believe, then I reevaluate my beliefs, and determine where the error occurred, and redesign accordingly. Admittedly, I haven't heard of many religions willing to do that.

I am cynically inclined, nowadays, that is true. Still, I recognize THAT as a flaw as well, and so try to trust in some things, even as I question. Difficult balance to maintain, eh?

Throughout my life, I have encountered many various claims about things. I have discovered, in my own life at least, that I have a tendency to believe people. I know, gullibility. In later years I have strove to overcome that gullibility, and the only way I have found that works for me is to take everything everyone says with a grain of salt, even things that seem to be true and everyone accepts. After all, the world was flat at one point, until people decided it was round, right? I spent some time in jail, and I watched many a person preach the word as they saw it, and I watched many other people just fall to their knees and accept, no question, no debate, no let me think on it. Just acceptance. Eagerly so. I have seen it in other places as well. People hear an idea that they resonate with for whatever reason, and it just seems like reason flies out the window. That sounds so good, I think I will just believe it wholeheartedly, not because of evidence, but because it sounds like what I want to be the truth. So I thought I would ask, has anyone hear fallen for the idea because it sounded like what they wanted to be the truth, and do you have examples? When I was way younger, in grade school, the one that always stuck with me was that hummingbirds can't fly, according to the laws of physics. Well, that is a bit obvious, they DO fly, so clearly that is wrong. But it always stuck in the back of my head, and when I was that age I didn't have the internet to be able to fact check the statement. Naivety. Gullibility. I think it happens to a lot of people, especially when they are scared, or desperate to believe in something, anything really. What are your thoughts?

I forget the source, but "you shall judge a man by his foes as well as by his friends"...

the world is flat, right?????

Indeed, it seems to me like analytical thinking incorporates debate, and with the multitude of debates about the authenticity of the bible, the veracity of its claims, etc...well, it seems to me that those of faith get a mental work out whenever those of no faith debate with them, and vice versa. I think in that light, spirituality increases analytical thinking in some ways. Johnathan, as I said, I apologize. Had a bad day, and was taking things way too personally, sorry to say. I agree that the study is too vague. How exactly does a person measure another persons spirituality? Is it a Christian or Muslim or Druid doing the measuring, and if so are they biased by their own views? Of course its a biased study. I can't quite wrap around how one would go about making an unbiased study on this particular subject. And is there even a real connection? Kind of like saying I know a lot of people who eat spaghetti and then get in car accidents. The two aren't necessarily functions of each other, it could just be coincidence.

might be, pete, and maybe I owe apologies. Been in a bummer kind of mood today, and I think I let that reflect on how I took what they said. Sorry, everyone.

I use the term spirituality because I don't want to list every single possible belief, form of meditation, etc...but I don't want to leave anyone out. I thought that seemed fairly clear, but apparently I was mistaken. It is intended that the reader should see the term spirituality, and install their own personal form of belief etc in that location. Sorry if I was not specific enough for you Johnathan. I really thought the thinking people on this forum could read the question and decipher my meaning from what I wrote, without nitpicking, but apparently I was mistaken? I don't suppose the term "religion" is too vague as well? Which religion, which branch of that religion? Really? Brother Kaman, do you intend that to be insulting? It comes off as you saying I spout meaningless blather, and while I can appreciate that it might be meant as humorous, and so choose not to take offense, I thought I would ask. I do take issue with it being meaningless to try to state a question, and ask for an answer. I was always told that there are no stupid questions.

I think what it boils down to is asking the question, does stronger analytical thinking naturally lead a person away from religious or spiritual beliefs? I agree, there is no way that I can imagine to measure a persons beliefs, or how strong they are, and to compare them accurately with someone else's, but the general question can still be debated. Does logic naturally defy spirituality?

I can see how that would be insulting to you Songster. I guess that puts you in the two wrongs make a right crowd, then.

isn't calling someone's belief delusional baiting at best, and deliberately insulting at worst?

I do not hold my soul accountable to anyone, Songster

if god is all powerful and all knowing, and programmed man...then I hold him responsible for man's acts. Of course, I don't believe in that god, so....

I have let go of things, but not forgiven, simply because I was in a position to do absolutely nothing worthwhile about the issue at hand. Perhaps in most cases letting go is the same as forgiving, but I don't think the two are functions of each other, necessarily. Just a personal view, of course, and I may be wrong.

and more telling...the videos mean nothing. Yep, MGEATUS is back again hahahahaha.....

according to the bible, blasphemy against the holy spirit is unforgivable. Mathew 12:31

the Barddas, what a shame lol. In spirit, I believe that he gathered much information on the subject, but ruined his credibility with the forgery. I do own a copy, however, and do reference it occasionally, like you said with the caveat that it was a forgery but still written in the proper spirit.

I have heard a little bit about wicca, through studying druidism. For instance, that Gardner and Nichols were friends, and often borrowed each others materials so to speak. I never believed that either wicca or druidism could offer ancient resources, though both have made such claims at some time or another. Then, it must also be presented that there are so many variations of each doctrine, much like denominations of Christianity, that it is hard if not impossible to make an umbrella claim about either druids or wiccans. The course I studied through with druidism never claimed ancient descent, or an unbroken line to ancient times when druids were "authentic". Rather, they styled their teachings with what is known of Celtic culture of the times, and gave it some modern flavoring. After all, if nature adapts to its surroundings, why shouldn't a nature based religion? Anyways, I can see that you have put a lot of time and research and feeling into the right path for yourself, and wish you the best of luck on that path.

the bible is the most read, pan...but I am willing to bet that PER CAPITA, the bible readers who have committed evil in its name is a much higher percentage than any other book. That said, the book itself isn't evil, just the people who commit atrocities in its name.

equity in who's eyes? I may think a sandwich is the best thing in the world, and worth hundreds of dollars. If so, and someone offered me a sandwich in return for a diamond ring, I would feel I was getting a good deal. And also, there are circumstances, such as supply and demand. A man in the desert might give his most valued possession for a cup of water, while a man living by a pure spring would be much less likely to do so, don't you think Pan?

I intended to type Stormbringer...my bad

no pedals at this time, sad to say. Had to sell a lot of music equipment when the daughter was born and stuck in a hospital in saint Louis for 5 months. Just now getting some of it back. But, I used to use a wah pedal, that's all I have ever really played with. Some of my friends had effects pedals, and they were fun, just not something I ever invested in, but now that I have the idea I might explore a bit.

I don't think that too odd, Stormson. I think the oddity is that people ASSUME Satanism to be a certain way, without researching it. Like a lot of things, I suppose.