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October 2nd, 2010
03:47 PM ET
Britain recognizes Druidry as religion for first time, gives it charitable statusCNN's Phil Gast filed this report: Britain recognized Druidry, an ancient belief that worships deities that take different forms in nature, as a religion for the first time and gave it charitable status on Saturday. "There is a sufficient belief in a supreme being or entity to constitute a religion for the purposes of charity law," declared the Charity Commission for England and Wales in response to the Druid Network's application. The decision will give the neo-pagan religion, known for its cloaked worshippers at Stonehenge (above, in 1999) and other sites, tax advantages and is expected to lead to broader acceptance. "This has been a long hard struggle taking over five years to complete," said the Druid Network, which is based in England, in a statement on its website. In some ways, Druidry in Britain is catching up to Druids and other neo-pagans in the United States, which already provides tax-exempt status for religious groups, said Marty Laubach, Associate Professor of Sociology at Marshall University. The British commission noted that Druidry "is animistic and based on a belief that everything has a spiritual dimension." It also said that the religion recognizes deities within nature and conducts worship ceremonies. The Druid Network, which has about 350 members, sought charitable status for "the advancement of religion for public benefit and no other purpose," the commission said in its ruling. Druidry has no asserted dogma, the network said in its application. It added that members associate their gods with the moon, fertility, rain, love and other forces. Druids were members of the learned class among ancient Celts, acting as priests, judges and teachers. They performed human and animal sacrifices and worshiped in forests in western Europe, Britain and Ireland. Neo-pagan groups are growing in the United States, the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey found. Such groups include Druids and Wiccans, along with voodoo and other belief systems, Laubach said. "It's a quintessentially American religion in that it is a highly individualistic religion," Laubach said of neo-paganism. Marshall, in Huntington, West Virginia, allows students to miss classes to observe pagan and other religious holidays. Neo-pagans seek to communicate with spirits, but witchcraft is not Satanic because its believers don't recognize the Satan of Christianity, Judaism or Islam, Laubach said. Many people look at Satanic worshippers and neo-pagans "as a bunch of people dancing in the forest" without realizing the distinction, said Douglas E. Cowan, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. "We often tend to be demonized," said Laubach, a member of the neo-pagan movement, indicating Britain's decision is a "form of legitimacy." Neo-pagans tend to be sensitive to the environment, with many rituals held outside, said Cowan and Laubach. "They realize we are part of a living system," said Cowan. "There is a huge festival movement," Laubach added. "The earth is the mother that supports us." Britain's Druid Network says public misconceptions about some of its practices persist. "While sacrifice is a core notion within most spiritual traditions, within Druidry it is confused by historical accounts of the killing of both human and animal victims," the network said in its application to the British commission. "No such practice is deemed acceptable within modern Druidry." "What is sacrificed within the tradition today," the application says, "is that which we value most highly in life and hold to with most passion: time, security, certainty, comfort, convenience, ignorance and the like." Modern pagans may not be as restrictive on issues such as sex as other religions "but [their] groups evolve social controls," Cowan said. "You've got people bringing their kids to events," he said. Cowan said it's not clear if the growth of Druidry - which he calls nowhere near as influential as the rapid growth of Christian Pentacostalism and Islam - is the rekindling or reinvention of the faith. Regardless, Druids in Britain, unlike their North American counterparts, don't feel as marginalized by mainstream Christianity, he said. "They have done the most to bridge the gap between Christian and non-Christian groups in Britain," Cowan said. |
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Probably the only real religion on planet Earth.
it is a form of wiccan, which is pagan, and NOT apart of Yahweh, (God) father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob..and so it is of darkness....
which is what the enemy of this world is, darkness...
Not sure where you get your information, but Druidry is not a form of Wicca. Wicca is a sub-faith that has roots in Druidry, but they are not mutually exclusive.
It's not a form of Wicca. Wicca is a form of Paganism as is Druidism. What you're saying is like me saying Islam is a form of Christianity when they're both Abrahemic religions.
Yahweh is a hack, the real dude is Marduk.
Druidism is a pagan path. So is Wicca. Neither decends from the other. They both worship nature and strive to live in harmony with the planet. Wicca is all over Europe and North America and has been for decades. Some are in England. Druidism goes back to the Celts in Ireland, Eire, Scotland, Britanny and England. They could party together without getting nasty. To sum up the morality: Do what thou wilt if it harms none. I.e. you have to take care not to cause harm to anyone including yourself. I am not a pagan though I think it is better path, having been raised by Baptists. I am historian with an interest in what motivates people. Religion is major so I study them.
And Baal would whoop Yahweh anyday, too.
I mean Yahweh doesn't even contend for the #1 spot.
Just be thankful that Superman hadn't been thought of, because nobody lays a hand on the Man of Steel.
CalgarySandy – thank you. It appears you do understand. I also thought the Druids were recognized long before this. They have been in the news before – CNN, in fact – at Stonehenge. More of these posters need to understand that basic tenet of Druid and Wicca – "An it harm none", as well as that simple fact that we do not believe in Satan.
If you really think the enemy of the world is darkness, why don't you worship Ra?
I think you'd better get an education and quit talking about other people's religions you know nothing about. Druidry is no more Wicca than Buddhism or Christianity is Wicca. It's incredibly insulting to lump pagan religions together – rather like saying "Oh, all black people look the same."
sounds like someone has been playing too much dugeons and dragons.
JESUSCHRISTSUPERSTAR you are a retard!
Funny...she doesn't look Druish.
You know, I really dont care if someone wants to worship a rock. But, can we stop with the hatred toward particular religions? I know extremist Islam want to control the west, that is not Islamaphobe we need to keep an eye on that. But other than that most if not all other religions try to be a peaceful organization. Too much hate in this world. Which leads me to the conclusion that there is a satan and he is really working his magic. The truly faithful need to shut up and pray
If you believe in Satan, you are a monotheist. They are the problem. When you say ONLY my path is true they are saying yours is not. Hence, bigotry. They teach that to their kids.
Thank you 🙂
What or who a person wants to worship is their own choice.
Like you, it is not my choice to make for someone.
I do not know which is worse: The extremist Christians or the extremist Muslims. They are both evil in their own ways.
But as history proves, more people have been slaughtered in the name of a God, than for any other reason.
most religions are in fact quite violent if given freedom to fly. It's only recently that religious violence has fell off in Catholicism and Christianity, largely due to the relative weakness of the Church as more and more people move away from religion and towards more philosophical tendencies such as spirituality, agnosticism, or atheism.
It wasn't too long ago that the western religions where burning "witches" and going on holy crusades to kill infidels of their own.
So it's wrong to be bigoted towards any given religion, other than Islam? News flash for you – Extremist Christianity wants to control the world just as much as extremist Islam does. They just haven't flown any planes into buildings as part of their plan to cow the world into submission. Yet.
If you look at the history of Christianity, you will find out that Islam doesn't hold a candle to Christianity when it comes to sheer carnage.
I'm a balance druid but my offspec is resto.
LOL I love it....Im a resto druid but my os is feral.....I tank you heal?
I thought it was officially recognized as a religion there already?! It's about time.
I have had some exposure to Druidism and Neo-Paganism in the past and while some are the fantasy obsessed types (Nothing wrong there, but I wonder if some make it look sillier than it needs to look), it really should be thought of as a religion. Many of us in the West have ancestors who would have practiced something similar.
And as Yahoo said, "Sure, why not? Just as valid as any other fairy tale." 🙂
So it is OK as long as our ancestors did it? Mine ate meat raw and shat in holes, maybe. Oh, by the way, can I use your yard and do you have a cat?
I play a Druid in Everquest
Just what we need....a druish princess!
You don't look druish.
LMAO!
@Cedar rapids
That's because Dr. Schlotkin did a good job fixing his Druish nose.
That was a good one 😉
May the Schwartz Be With You.
@JESUSCHRISTSUPERSTAR: So we should take spiritual advice from someone who's name is that of a Broadway play? Get off your soapbox and stop forcing your beliefs down others throats. It's narrow minded and embarrassing.
Jesus HOly Christ is verrrry REAL. I feel sorry for Aethiests and all non believers in General.
He validates my view that Xtians of a fundamentalists and evangelicals get out of the work of actually helping people to bugging the s"/t out of them non stop. IF, I say IF, there is a conspiracy against Christians it is those Fundamentalists and Evangelicals that have brought it on. I grew up with them they brainwash their children. That should be against the law.
Jesus Holy Christ is blasphemy.
I totally agree that we Christians should not force our faith on anyone. We should just "share" the love of Jesus and let people laugh at us and call us ugly names (as usual) and just be like Noah; that it like a man. But in Noah's day all the people that laughed at him were pounding on the doors of the ark after it started raining. The Ark has been sighted in the mountains of Ararat. Go study. If this is true, then the entire Noah's Ark story is true...and if that's true so is Jesus and everything else you hate to believe in.
Superstar, we feel sorry for you. Just make sure you don't aim into the wind.
@JCSS at least spell Atheist correctly. Not Aethiest. The word is not related to Aesthetic, nor does it use the nifty combined AE symbol. Latin roots A- prefix meaning not, theist, as in god follower. (second portion not exact, but I don't feel like going for my Wheelock right now.)
@Lourdes
oh i looked into this ark of which you speak, well they havent found it yet. I'm sorry
http://www.csun.edu/~vcgeo005/bogus.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/09/0920_040920_noahs_ark.html
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/04/29/ex-colleague-expedition-faked-noahs-ark-find/
3 very legit sources, i notice you have none
Finally, go Druids! I played a Druid in World of Warcraft, there awesome with their shape shifting abilities and there immune to polymorph and... ooo, this is RL (real-life), uh ..cool. =P
if one of them turns into a tree and heals everyone around them, they'd deserve the tax break.
LOL i play world craft too ha ha that comment was so funny i about died laughing....
stop rolling need on everything, especially cloth....
May Elune be with you!
WARRIOR ALL THE WAY.
My arena partner was a druid though 😛
When I played WoW my druid pwned nwbs everyday EVERYDAY! YEYE!!
Nah... Paladin'ism is the only true religion! Repent you all before the wrath of my hammer! /activate insane Retribution macro
That was just priceless! I posted about this on facebook and wondered how I could get my Druid registered seeing as how I am one with nature in WoW....LOL!
Is it for the entire UK or just England and Wales. Once again CNN doesn't seem to be able to differentiate. Glad to see you all are students of history... Not a big deal but just wondering if I should be a Druid in NI or Scotland? 😉 Tax breaks are always welcome!
It says Britain. Britain contains England, Wales and Scotland. Of course they mean UK, but everyone shortens the USA to America.
Britain does not include Ireland only NI,Scotland, Wales, Briton, England and Manx!!!
not from the area, but does anyone really care about Wales?
I'm sure the Welsh do. At least the Welsh.
Save the Wales!?! How green was my Valley ... great book/movie
Well, it includes Northern Ireland, but not the Republic of Ireland, if you'd like to be exact. By the way, I hate Oliver Cromwell.
@Space Potato....Ramen!
"Britain does not include Ireland only NI,Scotland, Wales, Briton, England and Manx!!!"
No it doesn't. Britain is only England, Scotland and Wales. The UK is Britain plus Northern Ireland. The Isle of Man is a Crown Dependency and is not part of either Britain or the UK.
And to those people saying about "God put those trees for you to enjoy". No he didn't – only in your particular fairy tale.
why not everyone get 350 people on their own list and get accepted. then hardly anyone could make money and pay no taxes
World wide there are millions of pagans. Northern Europe is reclaiming its roots that the Xtians destroyed will driving them into rivers at sword point to be Baptised. Conversion by terror. So loving. Prince of Peace. Pity about the followers who don`t live like Jesus but have found an out of effort by worshipping him. Read the NT a few times with an open mind.
For the most part, I guess I am a Druid (at least from the sound of the description) so I am happy for those taking the time to ensure that the rest of us may express ourselves so if we wish. Just for the record, though, I don't value ignorance and the quote (above) cites ignorance as a value of Druidiry. I think that is a mis-quote on CNN's behalf. As for you Ed, I also in general like your idea for us all joining together in groups and getting a tax break (wherever 2 or more of you gather together...) Wonder what it takes to get declared a religion in the US? Finally, I have enjoyed reading all the responses. I find it encouraging that so many people are open to dialogue. Hooray for free speach!
@Bliss )ignorance is...): they are saying that in modern Druidry, they sacrifice ignorance.
inb4 I have to here a lot of bigotry 😦
And by here I meant hear*
No one does bigotry like the religious.
What Xugos said.
Sure, why not? Just as valid as any other fairy tale. And non-jihadist too.
I second that.
why give any fairy tale dogma charitable status ?
Exactly. Every other gaggle of "True Believers" can have their little mythology and get the state to give them a tax write-off. At least the Neo-Pagans and Druids of modern times have a very solidly non-violent track record. No evidence of terrorism, inter-religion aggression, proselytizing, interfering with politics, insisting on having their religion taught in secular schools as science, or the abuse of children by the clergy. Overall, a fairly innocent bunch. As far as the religious are concerned, these folks seem like some of the most sane ones on a grand scale. And heck, the funky robes look kinda cool.
Good for Britain and being openminded!
OMFG! please don't call this british. I bet you 99% of the members in this religion are english. NOT British, and since england has easily over 50 % of the British population i hate to be bunched in with every crappy thing they do and anything possitive is English. Sincerely, Scotland.
So nerdy!
Llamas with hats............ You said that "99% of the members in this religion are english. NOT British". I thought that the English were British along with Scots, Welsh and some Irish.
Sagebrush–I think Llamas wants to disassociate the Scottish from this decision. The English are also British, but Llamas is saying the acceptance was an English-thing. Not a British one.
You call Britain open minded??? America accepted Druidism as a religion and gave it a tax exempt status, long before Britain. And Druidism has its origins in Europe.
So, good for Britain finally following in with the rest of the free world.
next to be accepted as a religion, JEDI
Already has! Check it out~
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/10/09/jedi_knights_achieve_official_recognition/
You're a little late 🙂
cansus just maintains a list of what people write-in. Plus if you read the whole there is an Update at bottom that said
Update
An official from the National Statistics office had called us up to complain about the story. Apparently they've been getting a load of phone calls asking if Jedi Knight is officially a religion.
This is the official line: the Census does not provide recognition to any religion in the official statistics nor does it attempt to define religion. The list that you can see by checking out the pdf file above is merely a list of possible answers that people have been known to put in the box marked religion.
As such, Jedi Knight is not officially recognised as a religion.
-----------
When it is recognized that will be tax exempt, until then they are not a religion, but it was a nice try by the people
@Frank re Age Of Aquarius:The Age of Aquarius is either the current or new age in the cycle of astrological ages. Each astrological age is approximately 2,150 years long, on average, but there are various methods of calculating this length that may yield longer or shorter time spans depending upon the technique used.
Can I be a Jedi?
I know that, Marjon. I'm just saying that no one knows the date it will begin.
The force is strong in this one....
There are a lot more stupid "religions" that are already getting tax breaks.
Why not. It's as plausible as any of the fairy tales currently accepted.
Seriously, get over it. I'm sorry you're stuck thinking that any religion that isn't judeo-christian-muslim (or possibly one of the other large organized religions) isn't really legitimate. The answer to that is to realize that every one of the major and minor religions is equally ridiculous to other people, and none of them is due greater respect.
I like trees...
errrrr....... well Arborista, I like Hemp trees.
Me too...
Ah, St. Francis. My namesake. ❤ (Also St. Gabriel and St. Sebastian, my other namesakes. <3)
John, you forgot the inquisition.
Intellectual-It seems as though you share the misguided view that Christianity is about guilt. It isn't, in fact it is very much the opposite. Be the intellectual you claim to be and read the Bible. Talk to some pastors. Not just the ones at large evangelical churches who wear the collar, but the everyday pastor who leads a small community church. You'll find that following Christ is not what the news media makes it out to be.
Intellectuals investigate.
@ John,
Mother T helped a few peeps , yup
Albert E. helped every living member of humanity.
your soap box is too short dude, better stack a few more.
"Albert E. helped every living member of humanity."
How so? Helping to carbonize people?
@John: Exactly – some people have helped people. Not Yahweh, Allah, Krishna, just people, whether they believe in baseless supernaturalism or not. People also hurt people, and unfortunately religion is particularly good at providing an excuse or obligation to do so, but it would be foolish to lay every misdeed at the doorstep of religion.
Still, if you give a tax break to one group of misguided people, it's only fair to give it to them all. Best to define charity in secular terms and not overlap it unnecessarily with religion.
@Frank
"Albert E. helped every living member of humanity."
You said, "How so? Helping to carbonize people?"
Einstein gave more to man, than did Jesus.
Probably Einsteins greatest contribution, is his theory of General Relativity. This coupled with Quantum Mechanics, has enabled Stephan Hawking to come up with the theory of Hawking Radiation.
This coupled with string theory, may be the theory of everything. NO GOD REQUIRED.
Intelectual – For your information, God gave us those trees you so highly cherish. So the next time you enjoy that sweet tasteing fruit your eating while resting under the shade of that beautiful tree and relishing the cool breath of oxygen rich air your breathing while admiring the wonderful home you live in made of building material from trees, you can thank God for it.
Sounds nice but helping to create a weapon that turns people into atmosphere negates all of that. Einstein is no hero. An equation does not trump atrocity. Moving right along...
Actually if it hadn't been for Yahweh you wouldn't have the things you listed.. You wouldn't be here.. So he has done LOTS for you and everyone.. He gives us all we need and more.. wonderful trees, flowers, fruit, oxygen, etc... etc.... etc....
"I like trees..." > "errrrr....... well Arborista, I like Hemp trees." > "Me too..."
Lol! That explains the use of ellipses and the fact that they don't know that w##d doesn't come from trees. "I'm so tired. So, so tired..." 😛
Just joshing y'all.
Frank,
What Einstein did was describe reality. He isn't responsible for what others choose to do with it.
He actually did help with the effort.
And what exactly was his contribution, Frank?
Well, um...he was only the one who started the whole thing by telling Roosevelt to build the thing in the first place! He helped Oppenheimer develop it at Los Alamos.
His wife once said that he "regarded human beings with detestation".
@ Frank
Einstein was persuaded to add his signature to an existing letter warning the president that Germany may be trying to create nuclear weapons. In other words, "the whole thing" as you called it, was started prior to Einstein getting involved,
And no, Einstein did not work with Oppenheimer to develop the bomb at Los Alamos. I'm afraid you've been misled.
And whether Einstein regarded humans with detestation, is totally irrelevant to the point you're trying to make.
Hey Frank, why is it that googling your quote about what Einstein's wife supposedly said about humans brings up nothing scholarly, but only anti semitic web sites? Are you anti semitic Frank?
He said he liked trees...jeez people.
your blind. more harm has been caused by your "religion" then anything else in civilization
First it was Christmas trees in the town square. Then it was Torahs for Hannika. NOW you tell me my tax money is gonna go for Oak trees during the Winter Soltice? THAT'S IT! I've had it with the Democrats. Vote the bums out!
This puts the druids and the 'god' fairytales on equal (and tax free) footing. Mother Goose would be very proud!
Just when governments should be getting out of the god business by denying tax incentives to the dangerous and delusional, they widen the scope of who qualifies.
Hey....NO FAIR...if they can get tax breaks, why not my religion (the Church of later day BADGUY'S). We meet every night at Joe's Tap (down on the corner). We meet at 3:01 PM (happy hour starts at 3:00). Beer is 2$. Shots are 3$. Church services start prompty at 6:00 (plus or minus an hour). All potential members are welcome (but please leave a donation in the hat at the door). See you there!
if the earth is the mother then BP has killed it lol
Let's review Einstein's contributions to humanity. He warned the president that an atomic bomb was possible AND being designed by Germany, which enabled the allies to damage/destroy heavy water plants and prevent Germany from completing an atomic bomb. He never worked on the Manhattan Project, nor was he permitted to be aware of it, as he was a pacifist.
He designed the Einstein-Szilard refrigerator after learning of a family who died from fumes from their refrigerator when it leaked (old refrigerators, some heavy commercial and camper type of refrigerators used and still DO use anhydrous ammonia, which is EXTREMELY toxic). Said design is being examined with modern technology, in the form of different working fluids and refrigerants for use in areas that have no electricity, as there are no moving parts, only the addition of heat is necessary for it to operate.
Then there is the Einstein-Goldschmidt hearing aid, when he had learned of an acquaintance who lost her hearing.
There were a number of other inventions, to include photoelectric systems and theory.
He was a collaborator in many, many other projects and theories.
He corrected an error in Newtonian gravity that corrected the equations to properly predict the orbit of the planet Mercury.
And I'm quite certain he used hemp rope to tie things when needed...
Of course Druids are a religion, just like Christians, Jews, Muslims, and I think none of them should be tax exempt. Why can't these groups pay taxes like everyone else? They can have the same exemptions just like everyone else for legitimate charity.
"hemp trees" lol..love that comment. i like them too i've always felt closer to a higher faith when burning them.
@damialni
Don't bother with any facts where Frank is concerned. He is the moral one. He decides what is moral and not, for all of us. But, he offers no proof of any of his theories or lunatic ravings.
@damialni
Frank also quotes David Icke.
Frank said, "What is Truth? To steal from David Icke: Infinite Love is the only Truth – EVERYTHING else is illusion."
Funny he should quote from Icke:
A popular figure on the lecture circuit, New Age David Icke will try to convince you that your problems aren't really your fault but rather that of a huge, world-wide conspiracy.
One site explains: "Icke says this unelected Global Elite own or control the major global banks, the multinational companies, the drug companies, the global media, the armament companies, the world market in hard drugs, the security services and the insti tutions of government. Working through the global secret society network, such as the upper levels of the Freemasons and others, the Elite constantly manipulate wars and the world economic and political system for their own ends."
In April 1991 he announced on the BBC's Terry Wogan show that he was the son of God, and predicted that the world would soon be devastated by tidal waves and earthquakes. The show changed his life, turning him practically overnight from a respected household name into an object of ridicule. Source – Wikipedia
Is that why you preach your morality to everyone Frank? Because you kinda think you might be Jesus?
Is this part of your looney conspiracy theory, Frank? LOL
Icke has no evidence for his insane claims either. Just like you, Frank.
Go to this blog: https://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/29/white-house-ties-pregnancy-aid-grants-to-common-ground-abortion-plan/
You can read how Frank thinks there is a conspiracy to depopulate Africa, of black people. He believes only the Catholic Church is standing in the way of this. LOL.
@damialni
Since you mentioned Frank might have a problem with Jews, I went back and looked at some of this posts. I think you might be right.
Go here and read his comments:
https://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/01/cnns-sanchez-out-after-controversial-comments-on-jews/
@BADGUY-How can you blame the Democrats for what is legalized in other countries? Blame the Labour Party if anything. And no, your alcohol drinking church should not be given tax exempt status, no religion should be given tax exempt; even god must pay his taxes. And quit blaming everything on Democrats, it's a gross oversimplification; people like you sound like that junkie vampire Limbaugh.
Paganism, witchcraft,and occultism are becoming more widespread throught the world. it's really sad how these people are being deceived by satan
I don't agree with everything Icke says, David. I don't know where you're getting that from, you raving backwords troll.
If you think there isn't a plan to depopulate the planet to a certain degree being carried/funded by certain well-moneyed groups and indiviuals, you're either a fool, straight out ignorant, divorced from reality or have an agenda. Take your pick, troll.
And no where did I say that the Church is the only one standing against it.
And I just want to add again for your foolish mind: Jews do not equal Zionists and vice versa. Zionism is a political ideology.
wierdo stufff