I guess I should have explained myself better. For that I am sorry.
The "Traditional Pagans" referenced the Celts. They, in a fashion IMO, gave the impression that they were living life as the Celts had, but that didn't quite match up for me.
They said they were caretakers of the Earth...they would never mine for silver or stones. They basically blasted anyone who uses silver or stones in their rituals. But the Celts had to have gotten iron from somewhere (mining?), and what about all the stones moved to make circles, and tombs, and alleged sacred places? What about the trees they would have had to cut down to fashion weapons, and homes, etc. etc. etc? None of that could be classed as earth friendly.
I hope you can see where I'm going with this.
The Celts may not have destroyed the land, but they didn't seem too worried about drawing from it what they needed or wanted either. This is where the whole doing what they had to do to survive comes in. They didn't have the luxury of being as picky as this group seems to be. By this alone, the actual Celts would not have been accepted by this group, or most of us for that matter.
Next, they mentioned their "sacred land". The land on which they live. Land passed down through time. Okay, fine and dandy, no problem. I'm happy for them, but surely they can not think the Celts valued a specific area. After all, the Celts left Germany and went into France (Gaul). From there they went into Wales and then gradually into Ireland. Seems like they valued freedom and their own way of life more than a particular piece of land. So this didn't add up for me either.
Next, they said the only way a person can be a Traditional Pagan was if they were born into it or married one of them. They also said that there is no way anyone who claims to be a "Traditional Pagan", and lives outside of their community, is a traditional pagan. Well, what the heck do they class as a "Traditional Pagan"? And what gives them the right to think they can coin the two words together? Especially since the term "pagan" is technically a more modern concept. The ancients did not call themselves pagans.
Not only that, but I knew the definition of "traditional" and "pagan" long before I ever heard of this group, or village, or whatever the heck they are. Maybe someone classes themselves a traditional pagan because they are trying, to the best of their ability, to commune with their deities as close to the ways the ancients would have. Maybe they have their more modern house laid out like the ancients had theirs. Is that not traditional in it's own way? It's kind of like turkey being a tradition of Thanksgiving or a May Pole is on Beltane. But according to them, no one but them is a traditional pagan.
No they aren't full of themselves. Not in the least.
Also, they claimed to put the website up to get the record straight because there were people claiming to be one of them. Okay, who are those people. Where are these claims? Or where they referring to those who say they are traditional pagans. Once again, it makes me question what their definition of a traditional pagan is. And why the heck do they have the website in the first place. Why bother telling anyone about themselves at all if they are so exclusive? Why come off as, IMO, so high and mighty? It makes no sense to me.
I got the impression, and it's probably just me, but it almost seems like they were basically inferring their way is the only way--kind of like a promised people type of thing--and the rest of us could go to rot. Well, I had never heard of them until this thread, so I found it all the be rather irritating to say the least.
Now I may have completely misunderstood their website, but I don't think I did. So neither I, the Celts, or most of the people on this message board would be in their league.
Also, instead of having a hissy fit over others using the term traditional pagan, which can be a very broad description of ones self depending on the situation, maybe they should come up with a name for their little group. There are Wiccans, they call themselves Wiccans, and they seem to be doing all right with a specific name. Then the various Christian religions seemed to give themselves specific names, and they're doing okay. Maybe these people should do the same.
Essentially, they got on my nerves and I was spouting off about it. LOL
I'm sorry this is so long, but it was the only way I felt I could convey myself more clearly.
