My Druidism

[Cartoonist]

I consider myself an Atheist. I have rejected everything, even those philosophies that deal more with the human mind than deities. I'm just not a joiner. I may be sympathetic to certain aspects, like Love One Another and even the concept of Karma. The former needs no God, and the latter is as far as I will go believing in something I can't explain. But there is one religion(?) that speaks to me like no other, Druidism. There's a Druids Hall in my town, but I have no desire to join, as it is more of a men's club than a serious connection to trees. Trees are the closest thing to God for me.

I am certainly no expert on trees. I couldn't tell you the difference between a Spruce and a Poplar, but trees are awesome. I consider them to be the highest form of life on this planet. Even humans can't compete. If we were to cut down all the trees on Earth, we would die, and then the trees would just grow back. If all humans became extinct, trees would get along just fine. In fact, the true relationship between trees and humans is that of host and parasite. We need their oxygen, their fruit, and the medicines they provide, and that's just for starters. Trees need absolutely nothing from us.

Before I lose anyone, consider the Bodhi tree. That's the name given to the tree at Bodh Gaya under which the Buddha sat on the night he attained enlightenment. The tree itself was a type of fig with the botanical name Ficus religiosa. In the centuries after the Buddha, the Bodhi tree became a symbol of the Buddha's presence and an object of worship. King Asoka's daughter, the nun Sanghamitta, took a cutting of the tree to Sri Lanka where it still grows in the island's ancient capital of Anaradapura. (thanks to buddhanet.net for this paragraph)

I don't think I would call my love of trees to be Worship, nevertheless, trees have something about them that borders on the spiritual. I have a lot more to say on this subject, but as this post is a long one, I will continue it later if there is any interest.

[littlemissmartypants]

1. Kicking. Thank you. nt

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. That's very thoughtful.

Some people hug trees to exchange energy with them. I enjoy tending to my plants. I have a family history of gardening. At the house I live in now, there is a forty-year old camellia tree that my grandmother planted. I have a picture of my grandfather sitting next to it when it was a small bush in 1974.

Thank you.

[Cartoonist]

3. Thank you

It was your post in which you talked about your religious journey that inspired me to talk of mine.

[Prophet 451]

4. Consider this for your funeral

https://urnabios.com/

It's an urn with a seed and plant nutrients that your ashes are placed in before the whole thing is buried. Then a tree will grow from your final resting place. I have a somewhat similar arrangement in my will that a tree is to be planted on my grave so that my decomposing body can help it grow and my loved ones will have the tree to shelter under as they mourn.

No judgement about how you feel about trees. I worship Lucifer as the righteous rebel against a tyrannical god. Everyone's belief system looks nuts from the outside.

[Promethean]

8. I've read the bible.

Worshiping Lucifer makes far more sense to me than christianity based on the writings within.

[Prophet 451]

11. Thank you n/t

[Rob H.]

23. I really like the idea of the bios urn

It sounds a lot better than letting one's ashes sit in a crypt or on someone's mantlepiece or getting pumped full of embalming fluid and buried.

[cbayer]

25. Terri Gross had a great show today with a fascinating mortician.

If you are interested in this kind of stuff, check it out.

[Prophet 451]

50. It's a shame it's not used more widely

Last edited Fri Oct 10, 2014, 12:35 AM - Edit history (1)

Imagine, we could have memorial forests instead of gardens.

[DreamGypsy]

5. Consider - The Bristlecone Pine ...

... as captured in a song written by Hugh Prestwood; there's a video of Hugh performing his song, but (in my opinion) it's dry and soulless (search for it if you want).

The best version (again, in my opinion) is by Tom Dundee and Micheal Johnson that was released on the tribute album, What's Not to Love About Tom Dundee, shortly after Tom's death in a motorcycle accident; but only audio is provided.

Bryan Bowers performs a good version, see video below.

I live on a property with many beautiful, large trees. Hundred foot doug firs and cedars, big leaf maples, mountain ash, sugar maples, zelkovas, katsuras, and ginkos. Some of these were here before me, some I have planted. I revel in the presence of these giants. Sometimes I sing of the bristlecone pine as the dogs and I wander the land (though I have modified the lyrics for my song, as indicated in bold-italic below):

Way up in the mountains on the high timber line
There's a twisted old tree called the Bristlecone Pine
The wind there is bitter, it cuts like a knife
And it keeps that tree holding on for dear life

But hold on it does, standing its ground
Standing as empires rise and fall down
When the Pharaohs were gilding their coffins with gold
The tree was already a thousand years old

And from what I have learned I confirm for myself
When I die I won't be anywhere else
So when my time is done it would suit me just fine
To be placed at the foot of the Bristlecone Pine

And as I slowly return to the earth
What little this body of mine might be worth
Would soon start to nourish the roots of that tree
And it would partake of the substance of me

And who knows, as the centuries turn,
Some small part of me might continue to burn
As long as the sun did continue to shine
Down on the limbs of the Bristlecone Pine

Now from what I have learned I confirm for myself
When I die I won't be anywhere else
So when my race is run it would be so sublime
To be sustenance for a Bristlecone Pine

[AtheistCrusader]

6. Technically untrue.

If you want to know where our oxygen comes from, look to the oceans. Trees are nice, but they are a pittance. Phytoplankton is where it's at. A small amount is also released by water vapor getting cracked by UV in the upper atmosphere. But that's less than what the trees produce.


That said, trees are awesome, and we should absolutely be taking better care of our habitat.

[Lordquinton]

32. Trees make it available to us

even is the oceans are the lungs of the planet, then the forests would be the heart, or some such, it's a shaky metaphor from the get go. Trees keep places from being deserts, part of why the cradle of civilization which was classically the breadbasket of the ancient world is not hugely desert is because they clear cut all the oak forests there.

[Enthusiast]

7. I don't worship trees. But I do love trees.

Pileated woodpeckers would be finished without trees. Me too.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[brooklynite]

9. I will ask you the same question I would ask a theist: what is the evidence for your position?

You're welcome to be awe-inspired by trees. But other than your personal feelings, what basis is there to claim they "border on the spiritual"?

[WovenGems]

59. Just this

Take inner city kids to a church and a national forest and just watch the kids. Then you will see the power of the woods. Woods are so spiritual we view the deep woods to be scary.

[Cartoonist]

10. My Druidism - Part 2

One of the great things about being a Druid is that no one has to ask me if I can prove that trees exist. This failure of most religions gives Druidism a leg up on its competition, and I use that phrase in the canine sense. Trees love dogs, and all the other animals that come and offer up their sulfur, a key mineral that trees use. That atheist caught peeing on a church would be welcome as a friend of the forest.

I mentioned the Bodhi tree in my OP. There was a post about one of Bodhi's relatives here on DU, but I couldn't find it. It was about an ancient Oak that lived in a traffic island. The tree was so revered by the townsfolk that the city went out of its way to build the road around it rather than cut it down. This was a move that brought all the people together, of all faiths. This was a bringing together of the community that any one religion could only dream of accomplishing. This was Druidism at work. I'll bet that none of the citizens considered themselves closet Druids, but that's exactly who they are.

There are many such trees in cities around the world. They are loved by the community and often bear plaques telling their history. Perhaps there is one such tree in your hometown. Please post your Druidic experience here. Mine involves a modest tree in my neighborhood. There's no plaque, but it has a strong spiritual connection to me.

When I was about ten, my best friend's dad decided to plant a tree in his front yard. Rather than drop an acorn or plant a seed, he bought a tree that was already ten or twelve years old and transplanted it. I thought that was just about the coolest thing you could do. The fact that I was also about ten or twelve gave me an immediate connection. Even though I was under the tutelage of the church, this connection meant more to me than my relationship to Jesus

I was still young, but I well knew the concepts of aging and dying. The tree and I were of the same age, but the tree was already taller than me, and it would continue to grow while I would reach a certain height and then stop. It would live longer than me by many many years. This was something I could put my hands on. This was real. This was life. I didn't need a holy book to tell me that.

I moved away about thirty years ago. I have returned several times for weddings and funerals. I always made time to revisit that tree and see how it is coming along. To say that these experiences are religious is an understatement. Contrast that with my visit to my old church and school. I stand before the portal of God, I raise my fist to the graven image of Number One and proclaim, "I am not a Christian, I am a free man!"

[mr blur]

12. Check out The World's Tallest Tree (probably)!

Too big to fit on the page but photos here:

http://iliketowastemytime.com/2012/10/01/oldest-tallest-and-biggest-trees-in-world

[Cartoonist]

13. I like the opening statement

Let's agree on one thing: trees are the reason why you and I are still alive. It's the only reason why humanity is at a point where it is right now.
-
Can any religion make that claim and be taken seriously?

[Cartoonist]

41. Addendum to Part 2

That story about the ancient Oak I referenced has been found. Thanks to Rainforestgoddess here's the link:

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tree-owns-itself

As I mentioned, it's a great story about a man's love of a tree and the broad community support it received. I got a couple details wrong due to a failing memory, so I'm happy to set the record straight.

On another note, I see I am getting grief by Druidic "experts" who imply that my knowledge of Druidism is somewhat lacking. I admit I don't know the secret handshake, but really, what have I said that contradicts the excerpt I posted in reply #31? Do a search on druidism and you'll get hundreds of hits. All of them mention the Druids special reverence for trees. That's the only cherry I am picking from that philosophy. If they used to practice human sacrifice or bred with goats, I don't know about that, and reject those practices. So give me a break.

[Starboard Tack]

55. Maybe you are free, but at least it seems like you're working on it.

I like your tree story and I definitely prefer them to churches and steeples. If you lost the anger and the need to raise your fist to the "graven image", then you are on the road to being free.

[Cartoonist]

66. It's mostly symbolic

Have you ever seen the TV show The Prisoner?
-
I get your point though. To be completely free I would need to distance myself from all religion. I can't do that. I enjoy taking part in religious discussions. I see that you do too. While I know that nothing I say will remove a lifetime of brainwashing, I am content to plant the seed of doubt wherever I can, and to help shepherd away any lamb of His flock. It's called giving back.

[cbayer]

68. That is called evangelizing and saving people in other contexts.

But then again, when you have the "one way"…...

[Starboard Tack]

80. Loved "The Prisoner", brilliant show.

I get your point about never being completely free. Freedom is a concept, but feeling free is a reality. For me, it is being able to walk into a place of worship without feeling any negative emotions. It is still a challenge at times, but I've been working on it of late. It can be quite therapeutic.
Why do you feel the need to steer lambs away from the flock? Doubt is very healthy, imo, and I think we all have it, whether we admit it or not. But each of us must process it in our own way. That's a huge part of what life is about.
Our brains are being constantly washed. We just have more channels to choose from these days.

[Cartoonist]

85. Sheep May Safely Graze

Why do you feel the need to steer lambs away from the flock?
-
Why do teachers teach? The smarter people are, the better the world is. Reality trumps myth. Fundamentalism is dangerous.

[Starboard Tack]

87. "Why do teachers teach?" - excellent question.

They teach because there are those who are open to learning. Teaching is dependent on learning. Some people study science, some study the arts, some physics and some metaphysics.
I am not so sure that reality trumps myth. Depends on context. Also, reality is not something that can be taught. We can share our own experiences and our subjective reality, and others may or may not learn from that. But objective reality encompasses everything, including the myths.
Fundamentalism is dangerous, I agree, and it comes in many forms. On an intellectual level, I find the fundamentalist atheist to be as objectionable as the religious fundamentalist. Maybe even more objectionable, as he should know better. Point is, the more we think we are right about something and others are wrong, the closer we get to fundamentalism.
Smart people never stop questioning. No matter how sure they are, they never quit doubting. When you think you've figured out the world, that's the moment you need a reboot.

[pinto]

92. Doubt is a great teacher, imo.

Sometimes humbling, sometimes reaffirming, often a nagging companion, yet always questioning. Fundamentalists seem to ditch doubt at any and every opportunity. Their loss.

[rug]

14. You probably enjoyed this book.

[cbayer]

15. OMG. You are comparing trees to religion and finding trees the winner.

You really are a cartoonist, aren't you.

[trotsky]

16. Have you decided Cartoonist's beliefs aren't worthy of respect?

Who gave you the right to judge?

[Starboard Tack]

54. Pot, Kettle!

Why don't you ask yourself the same question? Or maybe ask Heddi. I doubt she has you on ignore.

[Heddi]

17. you're seriously deriding his beliefs?

That's some major hypocrisy coming from you, considering how many keystrokes you have used for chiding others for questioning the beliefs that the religious hold. You're a real piece of work.

Jury---before you hide (because an alert is inevitable when you point out uncomfortable truths to cbayer)---look at what I'm replying to---a poster, in the religion forum, talks about his nature-centric beliefs, and he is mocked for them by cbayer. If someone can't express their religion (or non-religion, as the group SOP allows) in the region forum without being mocked for it, then where CAN they express those beliefs?

[Leontius]

18. And he should not be mocked for his complete ignorance of Druidism either.

Even if it is painfully hilarious

[Heddi]

19. Who the fuck are you to mock? Are you a 100% true to the core Christian?

Believe every single word written in the bible as being the utter truth, word of god, straight from his lips to your ears? Do you follow EVERY. SINGLE. RULE laid down in both the old and new testament?

If not, then how can you even BEGIN to criticize someone for their beliefs when you are not a strict adherent of your own?

This thread really shows how absolutely EMPTY the religionsts are who constantly harp about how someone is a Christian if they say they are, someone is a muslim if they say they are...but this person calls himself a Druid and because it doesn't fit your dictionary definition, then he isn't?

There are people who proclaim to be Christians in this very forum who do not believe that Adam and Eve were the first people on earth, who do not believe in the story of creationism, who do not believe that jesus was the literal son of god, who do not believe that jesus was actually born to a Virgin, who do not believe that jesus actually died on the cross and rose 3 days later. Please, call them out for their "ignorance" towards Christian beliefs.

This thread, and the responses from the "oh! we must be tolerant of all beliefs" crowd is just...enlightening. I am bookmarking this thread for the next time one of y'all get all nasty at Atheists for daring to question the homophobic policies of the catholic church, because hey! You can't criticize beliefs (unless they're shared by someone that you really don't like), or when Atheists bring up misogynistic practices of many muslim sects because hey! You can't criticize beliefs (unless they're shared by someone that you really don't like).

Hypocrisy. Pure hypocrisy.

[Leontius]

28. Who the fuck am I ?

I'm the one whose saying that if you're going to say you're almost a Druid then know the fuck something about Druidism.

[trotsky]

36. I guarantee you there are Christians who would say the same thing to you...

about your version of Christianity. Is that a particularly helpful or tolerant thing to say?

[Prophet 451]

61. Given how little we know about Druidism...

Fact is, we know virtually nothing about Druidism and almost everything we do know came from the sect's enemies. It's not beyond possibility that Cartoonist is closer to the original beliefs than we think.

[AtheistCrusader]

38. Hey, while you're busy shitting on someone's beliefs you might want to read this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_naturalism

His comments about Druids are somewhat dubious in the 'official' sense, but I've seen you rip into people for saying things about one type of faith that were much milder than that on the mockery scale.

[Leontius]

58. I sometimes find myself mesmerized by the flames of a fireplace or campfire

but I'm not going to call myself a Zoroastrian. If the guy has a love for trees great, feeling connected to nature is a fine thing for any of us. My ancestors had the sacred Oak of Donar and they weren't Druids either.

[Goblinmonger]

72. Can I question you on your adherence to Catholic dogma?

Please? And if we find a place where you disagree with the teachings of the church, will you say you are no longer a Catholic?

[Leontius]

88. No you can't.

[Goblinmonger]

90. Oh. Awesome

So you get to call people out because they don't adhere to your vision of a religion but you also think you get to just call yourself a member of a religion without actually having to adhere to all parts of that religion.

There's a word for that.

[Leontius]

91. Actually there are five words for it.

And they are: I am not a Catholic. The other thing is your setup is all wrong , it's quite silly to maintain that if someone says, 'I like trees so I'm a Druid', it equals,' I think divorce should be allowed so I can't be a Catholic.' I'll even make it simpler for you, Druids don't worship trees they had sacred groves and springs where they performed ceremonies to the gods of their religion. So it's not just a small difference it's not knowing the difference exists.

[Goblinmonger]

93. ok. Name your religion

We'll explore it.

And from what i know and have read, there is very little written by the druids. So where do you get your knowledge? Other ways of knowing, perhaps?

[Prophet 451]

60. Why not?

Everyone finds their sense of meaning in different places and everyone's belief system looks nuts from the outside. If Cartoonist's (version of) Druidism brings him peace and he's not trying to force it on us, why not let him carry on feeling that way?

[cbayer]

67. Because he is somehow making it a separate category, when it's not.

You are right - everyone finds their sense of meaning in different places. In this case, the OP has taken his and elevated it above everyone else's by denigrating "religion".

It is that arrogance and prejudice that I am protesting.

He can carry on feeling that way all he wants. It is his disdain for how others carry on that I reject.

[trotsky]

69. Why can't it be?

cbayer, with all the energy and effort you've put into attacking and berating others for suggesting you aren't using the term "agnostic" correctly, here you are doing the same thing to another DUer. Why is this behavior OK for you but not others? Cartoonist didn't denigate anyone's religion here, not that I can see. S/he just described their beliefs and you and others have gone into full mocking/attack mode. Why?

[PoutrageFatigue]

71. 'religion' does a good job of denigrating itself...

....it doesn't need any outside assistance...

[cbayer]

73. How exactly does religion denigrate itself?

And if you think it doesn't need any outside assistance, why do you spend so much time doing it?

[Heddi]

20. Wow, Cartoonist. I'm sorry you're getting such hateful response from believers here

who have a problem with your beliefs. I was assured by many of these same people that this was a place where someone could discuss religious and theological issues. All relevant topics are permitted. Where believers, non-believers, and everyone in-between would be welcome.

oh wait...that's the SOP of the group....the SOP that so many religionists (definition a person adhering to a religion) who post in this group want changed to keep Atheists out...but regardless...the same religionists (a person adhering to a religion) who wag the finger in the face of ANYONE who dares to criticize any part of Christianity (especially), Judiasm (sometimes), or Islam (only when it's a media topic) that RELIGIOUS BELIEFS CANNOT BE MOCKED OR DERIDED BECAUSE THEY ARE DEEPLY HELD BELIEFS (unless you're a dumbass creationist, according to some)...yet they're here, mocking you and what you posted. Because they don't think you're a druid (yet these are Christians who wear mixed-fabric clothing, and who don't keep the sabbath, and who engage in premarital sex, etc). Who don't think that your beliefs are serious enough to warrant respect.

Cartoonist, I want you to keep this thread, and it's nasty responses, bookmarked for the next time one of these concern nannies wags their finger in your face (or anyone else's face) about having to RESPECT ALL BELIEFS. Because they're certainly not respecting yours.

Nasty group. Nasty responses. They should be ashamed of their nastiness. But they won't be. They'll deflect, and blame, and say this and that and change the subject. As always.

[mr blur]

21. Wow. Just wow!

I thought laughing at others' beliefs was forbidden here. Well, except the Mormons - they're funny, right? And the $cientologists, of course.

After all, as we're told constantly, Civility is the watchword in this group, isn't it?

[Heddi]

22. Civility only if you're on "their" side

Since one poster gets all excited at the thought of "teams" and "sides" and "winning" and "points," let's just point out that the only people whose beliefs deserve resepect are people on her "side," and her "team"

This same person was practically bragging about laughing while reading the Book of Mormon, and openly mocking their beliefs with her equally "tolerant to all beliefs...unless they're silly" husband. Ah, blinders. Teams. Points. Score.

[trotsky]

42. Exactly. n/t

[Cartoonist]

24. Thanks for having my back.

Usually, the only way I know I am being derided is when the number of replies exceeds the number of posts I can see. I have certain people on ignore because I find EVERYTHING they say to be a complete waste of time. They know I have them on ignore, but they continue to babble on. I have no objection to them taking part in the thread, but I can't figure out why they bother addressing comments to me when they know I will not humor them with a reply.

I've also found that if someone responds to a reply by the ignored, then their post is also hidden from me.

I titled the OP: MY Druidism. Not to be confused with anyone else's. Thank you for your interest. I have a lot more coming up on the subject. I think I have some new things to say, but as Mark Twain once said, "only Adam can be sure he was the first one to say anything new."

[Heddi]

26. That's right. it's YOUR beliefs or thoughts, and they work for YOU

Just like we are told countless times by the religionsits (an adherent to religion)---it's okay to Cherry Pick the bible, and choose what works for you regarding Christian beliefs, and even if you don't follow the bible 100% as the literal true word of God, if you call yourself a Christian, you're a Christian. Same for Jews, same for Muslims. Same for Pagans and mormons and unitarians and buddhists.

But not the same for you. Apparently YOU are not allowed to have your beliefs. YOU are not allowed to have a belief system that works for you.

OTHER People can have a belief system that works for them, even if it is a hybrid mix of beliefs--a little bit from Christianity, a little bit from humanism, a little bit from buddhism, a little bit of agnosticism. See, that's okay because it's THEM and THEIR beliefs.

It's called hypocrisy. NASTY BLATANT hypocrisy.

Matthew 7:15-17 15"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17"So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.…

[trotsky]

35. Well at least it's nice to get (further) confirmation that the lip service about tolerance...

is just that. All talk and no substance. No wonder they love Pope Frank.

[Prophet 451]

63. Broad brush

Some of us really do mean it.

[trotsky]

70. Good for you.

You're obviously in a tiny minority here.

[Prophet 451]

82. Used to that

I'm a Luciferian Satanist. The Christians like that I worship but want to burn me for worshiping the wrong guy. The atheists think I'm nuts.

[Hestia]

27. The tree connection in Druidism is that they didn't have an written language but used

tree leaves as their alphabet in order to teach the youngsters, (That is what I have read, could be wrong). That is why there is nothing from the Druids but from their enemies.

But hey, honor a tree if it moves you - Goddess knows they could use a little love right about now.

[Curmudgeoness]

29. I respect that you posted your personal beliefs

or, more specifically, what moves you spiritually. I am sorry that you were denigrated in some posts by people who should know better than to make fun of the beliefs of others. Before I had the nerve to say that I was an atheist, I would answer the question of what religion I was with "nature worship". I still could if we were going to discuss what I see as "spiritual", if anything was. For me, it is not just trees, but all of nature. Plants, animals, rocks, lichen, streams. I feel a sense of peace when I am surrounded by nature. I also would not really call this "worship", but it is all I have. I understand your feelings about this.

The thing about a belief such as you profess is that there is no real religion that fits it well. And that isn't really important. You have said that you consider yourself an atheist, so you don't have to worry about whether people are accepting of your personal beliefs or not....there is no god that will strike you down because you don't do it right. Do it the way you want to, and to hell with the naysayers.

[okasha]

30. Muhammad seems to have felt

much the same about trees. He enjoined his followers never to cut down a green one. I don't think he was a Druid, though.

[Cartoonist]

31. Before I go any further

Let me try to clear the idiots from the room.

To the person who feels that only s/he knows the secrets of the Druids:

Druidism was the religion of the Celtic people that was administered by priests and priestesses called Druids. Remnants of Druidism still presently exist. The Druids were a priestly caste existing among the Celtic people. The Celts, as they were called, were a tribal people who spread throughout Gaul, Britain, Ireland, and other parts of Europe, Asia Minor, and the Balkans. This migration had occurred by the 5th. century BC. By the first century AD the Roman had launched many attacks against the Celts that greatly dwindled their population. Christianity dealt them their final defeat. (Booo!) There is little first hand knowledge of the Druids or of their religion. The chief reason for this is that they taught their acolytes secret Druidical knowledge by word of mouth. None of this trusted knowledge was committed to writing; it was all learned through mnemonics. . . . What were these "sanctified" or sacred places in which the Druids assembled? First and most important they were sacred groves of trees, especially oak trees. The name Druid means, "knowing the oak tree" in Caelic. It was within these groves that most assemblies and religious ceremonies occurred. The Druids also valued the trees for curative benefits. The mistletoe, which was seen as a sign from the Celtic Otherworld (their name of a place where after life was thought to exist) was used as a cure against poisons, infertility, and even used to cure animals. It can readily be seen that it was here in these sacred groves that the Druids dispensed their judgment and punishments. When the people were not nearby groves they assembled by rivers, streams, and lakes. The Celts worshipped water gods and believed water to be sacred. Like trees and water the Druids held some islands to be sacred too. . . .

I found that on the web, so it must be true. In other words, STFU


Spirituality:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/spirituality

Spirituality means something different to everyone. For some, it's about participating in organized religion: going to church, synagogue, a mosque, etc. For others, it's more personal: Some people get in touch with their spiritual side through private prayer, yoga, meditation, quiet reflection, or even long walks. (through forests even)
-

Henceforth, when I use the word spirituality, I am using my secret definition.

[mr blur]

33. "clear the idiots from the room"?

Good luck with that. Most of them live here.

[cbayer]

37. Oh, the irony.

[rug]

43. They do tend to enter and retreat in waves, don't they?

[cbayer]

44. Yes, probably in response to hallowed members clearing the room of idiots, then becoming

negligent in that regard and letting them back in.

[Leontius]

52. Not to call anyone an "idiot" but if you spent all this time thinking

Oh gosh aren't trees neat, I guess I'll be a druid cause they like worship trees and stuff and then whining when someone points out the obvious lack of knowledge. I don't know just having some understanding of Celtic religion would seem to at least be a base to start from to make the claim not an episode of MASH. (reformed druid worshiping shrubs).

[cbayer]

57. This is very, very mysterious.

Somehow, the author of this thread knows that you have responded to this thread even though he can't really see your response.

Things just get curiouser and curiouser.

But be very afraid, because your "application" is pending and that could be the end of times for you.

[okasha]

94. Native American traditional beliefs about trees

Last edited Fri Oct 10, 2014, 09:51 PM - Edit history (1)

ascribe not only sacredness but personhood to them. We call them the Standing People. I'm quite relieved that Cartoonist isn't claiming to be a "medicine man" because of his love of trees.

On the other hand, I happen to know some real Druids. Laying claim to the title because you appreciate trees, however passionately, is kind of like calling yourself an MD because you once gave someone a couple aspirin for a headache. It's a status to be earned, not simply appropriated.

[Leontius]

96. I don't understand why our resident Brights can't grasp that simple fact.

Well actually I do more intellectual dishonesty and at least one or two attempts at 'gotcha you hypocritical religionista.

[okasha]

97. True.

But there are a couple who are such unintentional comedians that I would miss them if they weren't here to perform for us all.

[Goblinmonger]

45. And some seem to be here always.

[rug]

46. Thank goodness for timestamps.

I had a jury rape trial last week and a child neglect trial this week.

Have you covered gerunds yet?

[cbayer]

47. Is that a problem?

[cbayer]

49. Oh, mr blur! I thought you had me on ignore.

Had I known you were just bluffing, I would have been more circumspect. I guess you have changed your mind and decided that I actually do amuse you. Oh, happy day!

I have no cabal, btw. That is something that you engage in, but not I.

[JNelson6563]

39. I feel similar about trees.

A few years ago I lived 20 miles out of town. There was a lake and a huge swath of woods, almost a forest really, with ten miles of trails. I really grew to love this majestic hardwoods. We had a brutal storm in March with two or three feet of snow in about twelve hours. It was wet and heavy and brought down many trees. I was quite heartbroken when I saw the damage. Made me feel a bit sick.

As much as I am drawn to the woods it pales next to how I feel about water. I'll leave that for another post. Good to read from another who reveres the mighty trees.

Julie

[Rainforestgoddess]

40. You've probably already seen this

But I find it fascinatinghttp://www.slate.com/blogs/atlas_obscura/2014/05/06/pando_the_trembling_giant_is_a_forest_of_cloned_quaking_aspens.html

[GitRDun]

51. I thought I was alone

in my love of trees. I can stare for hours.

[Cartoonist]

53. Leontius

I cannot respond to your posts when they are replies to people I have on ignore. If you've got something to say to me, come out and say it. Don't hide behind idiots.

So what's your problem? You claim I lack knowledge of Druidism, but you fail to give an example. In fact, you offer nothing to the discussion except to insult me. Please point out any statement of mine that you feel is contrary to Druidism. You've had two chances to enlighten me but instead, have just only spoken in a condescending manner that reveals yourself to be completely ignorant of social etiquette.

So am I all wrong? Are Druids actually tree-haters? I can find no reference to that in all that I have read.



Your application is under consideration

[cbayer]

56. Watch out, Leonitius!

Your application is under consideration!!!

That means that you will be on ignore, but not really.

What time is lunch hour? I hope it's before study hall because I have notes to pass to the cute guy I have a crush on.

[okasha]

99. What's even more telling

is his denial of the origin of the figure of Santa Claus in the pagan--and yes, Druid--archetype of the Green Man.

[Prophet 451]

62. If your path brings you peace, who am I to judge it?

I have a different belief system to you. I worship Lucifer as the justified rebel against a tyrannical god. That might sound nuts or like a joke to some but, while I occasionally play up the "devil worshiper" stereotype for amusement, I genuinely do believe that and my faith genuinely is very important to me. Every morning and evening, I pray.

But here's the thing: My beliefs do not require you to believe them. As long as you're not trying to force your beliefs on anyone else (no, normal conversation is not "forcing&quot and as long as your beliefs bring you peace, it's not my place to tell you that you're wrong. It's more important for you to be happy on your path than for us to share the same path.

And, on behalf of theists, I'm sorry for the shit you're getting here.

[Cartoonist]

64. I get it from the non theists too

Have you seen the movie Bedazzled? (the 1967 version) While not one of my favorites, it does have a scene which in a simple yet convincing way, justifies Lucifer's rebellion.

Since you believe in Lucifer, does that also mean you believe in God?

[Prophet 451]

65. Not seen the original movie

I think I caught the one with Elizabeth Hurley on tv one time.

Yes, I also believe in god. Which, I guess, makes mine an Abrahamic faith. But I don't worship him. I believe he's a tyrannical monster, the worst that's ever existed, and worship Lucifer as the first being with the balls to stand up to him.

The non-theists here sometimes drive me nuts. There's a kind of sneering contempt for faith and the religious, a kind of smug superiority, that some atheists have.

[cbayer]

74. Exactly what shit do you think theists are giving him?

[Curmudgeoness]

75. I suppose that we have to define "shit" here.

Maybe you are right, and ridiculing Cartoonist is not "shit". But I, for one, do not like to be ridiculed. I don't think that anyone does. But do we put that in the same category as "shit"? I don't know. I would.

[cbayer]

76. He gives it at least as good as he gets it.

He sees no problem with ridiculing people with other beliefs and somehow thinks what he values is superior to what others value.

I wouldn't have had a problem with this at all, until he used it as an opportunity to denigrate religion.

Which, I suspect, was his intention all along, if one can use his history as a guide.

[trotsky]

77. Oh I see.

He deserves it.

In your opinion, at least.

Stay classy, cbayer. Keep acting the way you want others to act.

[Curmudgeoness]

78. I don't know his history.

I am just looking at this thread, and if he is defensive, I think that it is well deserved. The only denigration of religion in this thread starts with him being treated as if his beliefs are somehow inferior to those of others.

Maybe he is making a joke of religion here. I don't know his intentions. I just know that he put his beliefs out there, and was promptly made fun of. And that is sad. I would think that if anyone thinks that he was insincere or is not sure, they should probably just ignore he thread and let it drop.

[cbayer]

79. We are seeing this differently, but that's ok.

I really don't see where he was promptly made fun of. He posted a thread in religion where he has spent a good deal of time attacking religion and religious believers. I'm not sure what he expected in response to this, but I don't think he is stupid or naive.

[Prophet 451]

81. You laughed at him, for a start n/t

[cbayer]

83. I did not laugh at him.

I pointed out how he compared his beliefs to others beliefs and found his superior.

If it did not come across that way, then I was not very articulate.

I have no problem with his love of trees and his use of religious language to describe his feelings or his identification with a religious belief system.

What I have a problem with is his using that to denigrate other people's belief systems, which I think was his intent from the beginning.

I said not a word until he began talking about how superior his beliefs were.

[trotsky]

86. Yeah, you posted a mocking cartoon.

You know, the same kind of thing that you consistently upbraid and scold others for doing.

But obviously it's OK for you to do it.

[Cartoonist]

84. How to make this old man cry

While doing research for this thread, I did a search for tree haters and instantly regretted it.


About 3,700,000 results (0.50 seconds)

www.treehater.com/
Anti-Arboreal Association
Countering the lies and evil of the sentient, rooted beasts all around us.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tree-Haters-Gun-Club/262211117140588
Tree Haters Gun Club

[AlbertCat]

89. the latter (karma) is as far as I will go believing in something I can't explain.

I can explain it. Easy.

You remember the "hits" (where it seems to be true) and forget the misses (where it isn't true)