Greywolf wrote, “Re: Coryllus' idea for a Forum for Druid Online Activists. Brilliant. Make it so!”
Yes I’ll run that through the neo cortex, Greywolf. I think what is needed is some very basic focal point where information about things that threaten Druidry can be publicised. By ‘threaten Druidry’, I mean stuff like threats to sacred sites, or attempts to unreasonably curtail our activities.
I know already, that there’s absolutely no point whatsoever in trying to bring the whole of Druidry under one umbrella. The monotheists can’t get near to achieving unity, even though they used to burn alive and visit other misfortunes on dissenters. I am old enough to realise too, that appeals to reason, presume reason in place in the first case, and it can often prove to be absent. When it comes to ‘vaulting ambition’, well… I won’t say you wouldn’t believe the lengths people will go to, to obtain some title or other for their letterheads. Your acquaintance with the viaduct man exemplifies the syndrome. Though the measures some employ can prove mind bogglingly shallow, not just in Druidry, of course.
Currently we are stuck with environmental, historical and archeology sites, to make us aware of threats to our sacred places; or the hopes that someone into Druidry spots something in the press. Similarly, in order to find out about areas of exclusion or discrimination against us, such as the spiritual environment thingy, or prison visiting anomalies, we are dependent of feedback from those involved, or the untrustworthy press. Those involved, may only be active in one group or forum, so their capacity for spreading awareness is limited. I know I’m not the only one who will happily check out what is afoot with other Druid groups and organisations. Sometimes with a view to involving all possibly interested parties in protest or such action, though in my case, just to learn where people are at with Druidry, as well. I rejoined facebook, before I remembered why I joined and smartly left it last year. Some people in Druidry, are only accessible through it, but the managers must read your emails, and those of others, with their friend suggesting palaver. My recently deceased friend William, who knew more about these machines than I ever will, having among other skills the capacity to build his own, was emphatic that you may as well just put up a site with your credit card details on, as join them. I soon noticed an inordinate influx of ad emails in the box, so I deactivated. Apart from that, the whole social network thing has something of a ‘strictly come dancing’ adherent flavour about it. I won’t say I’m no snob, as I probably am in some respects;
but I find many of the assumptions that are evidently made about people who use such sites, by those who run them, to be both intrusive, and heart sinkingly mundane.
Humanity’s obvious determination to dumb itself down, can proceed without any help from me.
I think the thrust of TDN, is aimed in the right direction. But in addition to spreading awareness, which it doesn’t always seem to prioritise, it is perhaps overly ambitious in endeavouring to cover everything to do with Druidry, which is an onerous task. Though there are some wise and industrious people on board who make a most admirable effort. I have found TDN and the OBOD, Druid’s Head, forum to be extremely useful in finding my way around Druidry, as indeed I have found the BDO. I am very grateful for your honest elucidation of the history of modern Druidry, splits, schisms warts and all, which I think people coming to Druidry, do need to be alive to. Personally, I find the actual disparity quite a healthy thing. Whatever grandiose titles individuals may care to endow themselves with, I would be prepared to make a hefty wager, that there will never be a Pope, of Druidry. But I wouldn’t rule out someone calling themselves one.
Adversity can be a powerful unifying agent, albeit of a temporary nature. Once the perceived danger is past, those who formed the shield wall, can get back to happily slagging each other off, and deploying the ‘no true Scotsman’, ‘ad hominem’, and other devices of discord against each other. Inevitable features in all walks of life, which can be set aside while the job gets done. In extreme example; if someone obtained permission to flatten Stonehenge, and put up a supermarket, it wouldn’t be just the Warband, (bless em’) who would be foaming at the mouth.
What I envisage is something that alerts all involved in Druidry, to issues that can be seen as threatening. Perhaps just a breakdown of what is afoot, along with links to already engaged or interested parties, Druid and non Druid. I don’t think that there would be any value in providing fora, for discussion of the issues or merits of any case. Indeed, such a facility might prove to be counter productive. Just a simple, straight forward, presentation of an opportunity to get involved.
Now I’m still a newbie, so despite the education I have received here and elsewhere on the structure (I use the term loosely) of Druidry today, I’m not entirely certain that my idea is a runner, or even something worth running up the flagpole? Maybe ill feeling or ideas of splendid isolation are overriding? Nonetheless, it won’t hurt me to start checking out the availability of a site, and some sort of page.
All feedback on these thoughts appreciated. If you think it’s likely to be a waste of time, please say so. Any ideas at all.
Thanks and Blessings.
(Lancashire saying for leap into action)
