Mages of the isles : some remarks on the esoteric inspirations in British Druidry

This article is a short presentation of the connections between the Western esoteric tradition and Druidry, as demonstrated by the British Druidic traditions. The Druids, described in the classical sources as mages, philosophers and sages, have become an icon for the para-masonic organisations of 19th century Great Britain. The image of the Druids as those initiated and learned in secret, arcane knowledge is alive in the 21th century as well, especially among the sympathisers of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, the largest organisation of those interested in Druidry

Duchowość New Age

Recenzja książki:Steven J. Sutcliffe, Ingvild Sælid Gilhus, New Age Spirituality: Rethinking Religion, Acumen Publishing Limited, Durham 2014, 298 stro

Duchowość New Age

Recenzja książki:Steven J. Sutcliffe, Ingvild Sælid Gilhus, New Age Spirituality: Rethinking Religion, Acumen Publishing Limited, Durham 2014, 298 stro

Coming Home to Paganism: Theory of Religious Conversion or a Theological Principle?

The so-called “homecoming” is one of the most (if not the most) popular ways of depicting the process of becoming a follower of Neo-Paganism found in literature, from Margot Adler’s classical Drawing Down the Moon (1979) to contemporary authors, like Graham Harvey. It is interesting that “homecoming” simultaneously occurs in Neo-Pagan literature, as the common way of becoming Pagan, seen as opposite to the process of conversion (usually as a rapid change of religious beliefs). The critique of the “homecoming” defined in the academic field concentrates on showing that there is a possibility it may be more a theological notion, rather than a model of religious change to contemporary Paganism. The broad definition of religious conversion, understood as change in religious behaviour and beliefs, does include “homecoming” as one of the possible conversion narratives. Therefore, we may speak of a “coming home experience” as one of the main themes – but certainly not the only one – that is present in the histories of conversion to contemporary Paganism

The sacred text experiment : images of religious others and their role in forming attitudes towards accepting muslim refugees in Poland

Contemporary discourse on refugees arriving from the Middle East to Poland revolves around two poles of the problem: the postulate of empathy towards people threatened by war and a danger that these people can supposedly impose on Poland and other EU countries. The religious factor seems to play a significant role in this discourse. Refugees who come from predominantly Muslim countries form a group of special interest for media, politicians and public opinion. In this context, it is important to examine how Poles perceive Islam, and how this image may be associated with attitudes towards accepting refugees. The aim of the study was to analyse narratives about Islam and the religious Other, emerging from partially structured interviews (N=31). The questionnaire, containing citations from the Bible, the Quran and holy scripture of new religious movements (the BhagavadGita) served as the trigger for interviews conducted after filling in the questionnaire. The respondents’ task in the questionnaire was to assign - based on their own knowledge of the subject - these quotes to one of the scriptures. Because of the small and non-representative research sample, the results obtained did not allow for generalizations. However, they provide an important indication (to be tested in future research) how the most frequent associations with Islam (aggression, violence, and the lack of respect for women’s rights) might translate into attitudes towards accepting Muslim refugees in Poland

Druids and Druidesses : gender issues in Druidry

The ample cultural representation of Druids is dominated by the image of Druids as an elderly, white-clad sage; an image that references the Antique sources which describe Druids as mages, philosophers, the enlightened barbarians. Ancient sources also mention female Druids and priestesses of the Celtic tribes. Druidesses appear in literature, art and opera, as well as in the beliefs of modern adherents of Druidry. This article examines chosen gender aspects involved in the formation of the Druidic myth and changes thereof, beginning with Antique accounts, through the cultural reception of the Druidess myth, and ending with the role of women in modern religious movements related to Druidry