Charitable Recognition

[Brochfael]

What do people think about the recognition of a Druid organisation by the Charities Commission (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11457795), the reaction by the Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1317490/Druids-official-religion-Stones-Praise-come.html?ito=feeds-newsxml) and the petition demanding an apology by some Druids?

[potia]

I think the recognition by the Charity Commission is probably good but it's a bit early to tell. The fact of the matter is that TDN did publicise this widely so they have sought the publicity. They may not have anticipated how it might get taken up but they could have just put a quiet announcement on TDN and left it at that rather than sending out a press release (see their response at: druidnetwork.org/files/core/Response%20to%20Melanie%20Philips.pdf

The daily mail article sucked but I'm not intending to sign the petition. My reasons are simple. The petition asks for a public apology from the journalist Melanie Philips and while I don't like her opinion she is entitled to hold it. To my mind if an apology is sought it should be from the Daily Mail editor for allowing such a piece of rubbish to be published in the paper and let's face it that's about as likely as a blue pig flying past my office window.

The Daily Mail is probably loving the little storm it has caused and is probably hoping it can get more news out of it.

[Rion]

Melanie Philips has quite the reputation for holding somewhat controversial views, and revelling in it. If she's not telling everyone that Israel can bomb whomever they want and the rest of the world has no right to say anything about it because of the Holocaust, she's spouting rubbish about the 'Judeo-Christian heritage' that apparently forms the foundation of our society, without which there would be 'no morality and no true human rights'. Given how much she touts her 'unapologetic' credentials, I doubt this petition will have much success.

As far as I'm concerned; it's the Daily Mail. Expecting them to come up with a reasonable response to anything is akin to counting on the aero-nautical properties of a pineapple to save you as you plummet to earth.

[Sìle]

I won't be signing the petition as I believe in the right to free speech and all the ugliness that entails. It's a poor article, but I am happy for it to be in print for the rest of the world to scoff at, though I am loathe to recommend people to it as the higher the hits to the article, the more the Daily Mail can sell advertising and I refuse to support them.

[dreamguardian]

The journalist is writting for a tory rag of mainly christian readers so there's no surprise that she's 'exciting' her audience. To be frank, I thought the article was quite good overall & may serve to expose the fragile nature of much superficiality of modern paganism.

The only critism I have, is that she rather over did the christianitys being respectable religion (Our British & all that)compared to others. I know it was written for the benefit of her readership but the christian spiritual belief can viewed as a bit dodgy at the end of the day too.

Lets face it: A Jewish nationalist who had some good magic tricks and came back from the dead! Sounds like a good zombie story for a kids halloween party.

[arth_frown]

I did sign the petition, but I'm not offended by what she said. I just wish she didn't add her fictional bullshit to it.

I'm glad that TDN has charitable status, but I do wonder what druids will do with the description.

[Midori]

I signed, but like Arth am not offended, just tired of the same old manure.

Cheers, midori

[stefan]

I wonder why having charitable status is deemed important? For whom does it serve? Moving into the arena of recognized religious status reeks of seeking power. Druidry as a movement is already corrupt enough. The more power the more corruption, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Religion is a backward step.

One should be more focused on their spiritual evolution rather than these archaic self serving structures.

When the priests become worshiped the gods are dead.

[Sìle]

Nov 8, 2010 20:47:07 GMT -1 stefan said:

I wonder why having charitable status is deemed important?

Tax breaks.

[Blackbird]

Exactly - that's about the only reason to become a charity. Lots of organisations have charity status (public schools for example), without doing anything 'charitable' in the popular sense of the word.
(Though like you Stefan, I'm generally very dubious about anything TDN does...)

[Deleted]

The problem I have with the whole concept is the notion of "Druid Religion" It does sound like power ploy. I had always considered Druidry, if it could even be called that, as a spiritual path that fills a personal spiritual need. Making of it a religion leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[megli]

You must be joking!

[dreamguardian]

No, they're just a superficial modern mish-mash

[Tegernacus]

the real druids are the public figures in robes that you see on the Maes. They are the inheritors and guardians of tradition and culture and language. To be called to be a druid is a civil and cultural honour. Don't know what the other lot are about, but it certainly isn't that.

I also don't see "religion" as a bad word or thing. The problem I see is that TDN/Obod etc, but their very nature, can never be a "religion" because you'd have trouble finding two people who believe in the same thing! A religion, as I understand it, is a group of people with a common belief. The only common belief in the "druids" is that they believe there shouldn't be a common belief. Excuse me if I am mistaken in that.