www.stonehenge-druids.org

 

The daily mail published an article today about what they call:

 

“Druid wars:

 

How a drunken row over 4,000-year-old bones is causing chaos in pagan circles

“

It paints a picture of druids in disarray, the disagreeing CoBDO’s, views on reburial, drunkenness in circle.

 

Several Druids were interviewed by the reporter Jane Fryer.

Druids in the daily mail : Article posted 26th Jan2009

Arthur, who was featured in the article has asked us to publish the following statement on his behalf:

 

“Arthur would like to point out the the ancestral remains were in point of fact from Avebury not Stonehenge. He is not an ex Hells Angel and most definitely does not ‘wave his sword in public’ “

 

He says

 

“The article is peppered with inaccuracies, and encourages people to complain.”

A readers response is interesting:

 

“Yes that sounds like Arthur; he really is larger than life, one of Britain's eccentrics. But it's only half the story. We remember his incredible kindness and sensitivity when a friend died of cancer in a hospice some years back. That's the serious side of Arthur that doesn't get into the news. And I say that as a Christian.”

 

Franks comment:

 

I wonder what the point of this article is. Druids when measured on the grand scales of history actually measure up very well as a spirituality:

 

We have initiated no wars, we have executed no inquisitions, we have not imposed a religious dogma upon ourselves or on anyone else, we respect others and value diversity.

 

It is true that we are a fast re-emerging tradition, finding our feet again. It is true that many Druids are embarrassed by the public arguments between small groups.

 

Druids have a responsibility to each other to sort out our differences quickly peacefully and honourably.

Scoring points against one another in public unjustly hurts our whole spirituality.

 

Before I left CoBDO last year, several attempts had been made to make peace between the two groups.

 

We are working on a voluntary code of conduct for Druids. This will not dictate belief, only standards of behaviour.

 

It is also fair to point out that all people make mistakes. By these mistakes we have a chance to learn. Religions and spiritualities encourage people to address their mistakes and to grow. Druids too. We are human.