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Celtic Druid Temple, Indigenous Religion of Éire Policy Statement

24/8/2020

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Introduction
We, the members of Celtic Druid Temple, being indigenous people of the Land known as Éire, proclaim and exercise our rights to self determination and self government, to practice, revitalize and evolve our cultural traditions and customs, to celebrate our ceremonies on ancestral sacred ground and to be secure in the enjoyment of our own means of subsistence and development, to engage freely in all our traditional and other economic activities, to preserve, honour and share our wisdom traditions, to maintain our right to choose traditional medicines and the natural holistic health practices of our Celtic Forest Nation of Éire.


We are Celtic Gaelic people of Ireland. We remain living on our ancestral homelands and seek to develop and continue our living cultural traditions and customs. We honour the Celtic Calendar with celebrations at our ancestral sacred temples and burial grounds. We live as people under the guiding principals of Meas, Meitheal and Mead. Meas encapsulates the concept of respect for self, others and Nature. Meitheal is the mechanism for working together through sharing the responsibilities of producing food, fuel and shelter. Mead is a celebratory drink made from honey and water and is our symbol of celebratory abundance. We live by these principles of self help, co operation and co creation with Nature to provide food, water, medicine, shelter and fuel for our families and community. We promote the use and learning of our native language Gaeilge. Our livelihoods depend on healthy natural woodlands, springs, waterways, sea and sky. Our sacred ancestral lands are of fundamental importance to our collective spiritual, physical and cultural survival as an indigenous people.

We are determined to preserve, develop and share with future generations the abundance of Nature from the Land, Sea and Sky. This includes access to our sacred herbs and vital medicinal plants, animals, birds, fish and minerals. We are preserving, developing and will share with future generations our Celtic Gaelic identity in accordance with our own cultural patterns, social institutions and body of Living Laws without external interference or discrimination.
Principles

1. Indigenous Status of Celtic Druid Temple
2. Self identifying as an Indigenous Celtic Gael
3. UN Permanent Forum definition of “indigenous peoples”
4. International Human Rights Law
5. Overall Intention to proclaim define and exercise our rights as members of Celtic Druid Temple


1. Indigenous Status of Celtic Druid Temple
The Celtic Druid Temple is an organised group of Celtic Gaelic People and Druí (Spiritual guide, teacher and ceremonial leader) honouring Nature as Supreme Being and are determined to practice, revitalize and evolve our cultural traditions and customs by celebrating our ceremonies on ancestral sacred ground in accordance with our Celtic calendar.

Structure and chronology

  • 1993 Originally formed as the Heritage Awareness Group identifying indigenous sacred sites and providing educational seminars to the general public supported by local county councils and public libraries.
  • 22nd of November 2012 Incorporated as Celtic Druid Temple Company no. 520451
  • 30th of August 2017 Changed form to an unincorporated association named Celtic Druid Temple governed by a constitution.
Recognition

BUNREACHT NA hÉIREANN (Constitution of Ireland)

  • Article 44 Secures our freedom to practice our religion.
    2 1° Freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion are, subject to public order and morality, guaranteed to every citizen.
Department of Health

  • The Department recognises Druidry as an indigenous religion https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/socialinclusion/interculturalguide/traditional/
Department of Finance

  • On the 19th of May 2015 the Department recognised Celtic Druid Temple as an organisation established to promote the indigenous religion of Ireland with Nature as the Supreme Being and granted Celtic Druid Temple the following charity no. CHY20684
Dept of Social Protection

  • On the 3rd of February 2016 Solemniser Status was granted by the Department to Celtic Druid Temple. The legally binding marriage registration certificate states that the marriage ceremony is performed "according to the Rites of Passage of the Indigenous Wisdom Tradition of Celtic Druid Temple”
Department of Justice

  • On the 13th of June 2018 the Department recognised Celtic Druid Temple as an organisation established to promote the indigenous religion of Ireland and granted Celtic Druid Temple the following registered charity number RCN 20106003
  • The Druí of Celtic Druid Temple have jury service exemption status and have exercised this exemption.
  • An Garda Siochana have on four occasions provided protection for our public ceremonies

European Convention on Human Rights

Article 9(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the rights of adherents to this policy document to full enjoyment of rights to thought, conscience and religion, including the ancient traditions of the Celtic Druid faith, and, more specifically, to our right of pilgrimage.
All comments and questions welcomed – [email protected]

2. Self identifying as an Indigenous Celtic Gael

If just one of the following determinants is a 'yes' for you – then you can self identify as an Indigenous Celtic Man or Woman and become a member of our Celtic Forest Nation of Éire. This is a true identity even if you do not currently live in Ireland but wish to live here and to have your descendants live here as your ancestors did.

1 Do you have Gaelic Celtic ancestors?
2 Do you live on or wish to live on the land of your ancestors?
3 Do you seek to live by the Celtic Calendar?
4 Do you want to learn / speak Gaeilge?
5 Do you wish to provide food for your family directly from the Land, Sea and Sky of Éire?
6 Do you wish to preserve, develop and transmit our connection to our Land, Sea and Sky of Éire?
7 Do you wish to restore our Celtic identity, cultural patterns, social institutions and lawful ways?
8 Do you wish to restore Ireland as a Celtic Forest Nation?


3. UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 'working' definition of “indigenous peoples”

* Self-identification as indigenous peoples at the individual level and acceptance by the community as their member;
* Historical continuity with pre-colonial and/or pre-settler societies;
* Strong link to territories and surrounding natural resources;
* Distinct social, economic or political systems;
* Distinct language, culture and beliefs;
* Form non-dominant groups of society; and
* Resolve to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinctive peoples and communities.

Excerpt of a legal opinion by an international law expert who addresses indigenous issues. “Members of the Celtic Druid Temple have the right to self-identification as indigenous; there is historical continuity of indigenous-ness from prior to British invasions; the Temple’s members are tied to territory and resources; indigenous Irish do possess distinct social, economic and political systems and distinct language, culture and beliefs; and it is clear that the Temple and its members are resolved to “maintain and reproduce ... ancestral environments and systems as distinct peoples and communities” (in a modern setting). At end, according to the Permanent Forum document, “the most fruitful approach is to identify, rather than define indigenous peoples.” The Temple is clearly asserting distinct rights.”

4. International Human Rights Law
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations as General Assembly Resolution No. 61/295 (13 September 2007). Courts can apply the declaration in decisions and legislatures and other bodies can cite it to support positions to uphold and enforce specific provisions in the Declaration.

“The Declaration addresses both individual and collective rights; cultural rights and identity; rights to education, health, employment, language, and others. It outlaws discrimination against indigenous peoples and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them. It also ensures their right to remain distinct and to pursue their own priorities in economic, social and cultural development. The Declaration explicitly encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between States and indigenous peoples.”

Article 24 of the Declaration provides (in full):

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices, including the conservation of their vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals. Indigenous individuals also have the right to access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services.
2. Indigenous individuals have an equal right to the enjoyment of the highest standard of physical and mental heath. States shall take necessary steps with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of this right.

Article 1 of the Declaration states the right of indigenous peoples, both individually and collectively, to enjoy all human rights as stated by the U.N. or otherwise.
Article 3 secures the right of self-determination, meaning the right to “freely determine” their political status and “freely” pursue and secure their own economic, social and cultural development.

Article 24 addresses the human right to health with this language:

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices, including the conservation of their vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals. Indigenous individuals also have the right to access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services.
2. Indigenous individuals have an equal right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. States shall take the necessary steps with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of the right.
Excerpt of a legal opinion by an international law expert who addresses indigenous issues. “There is no specific language in the Declaration that addresses the right to refuse specific health measures or procedures, including vaccination. However the language about “their” health practices assumes a right to define what those might be, and the language “highest standard of physical and mental health” assumes that any given “standard” is the “highest” or most appropriate. Inappropriate standards include procedures or practices that are harmful or repulsive to a given indigenous group. I note that the Celtic Druid Temple is in fact engaging in an ongoing debate over the appropriateness of vaccination, and the right to reject it, and there is a right to speak to that — and be acknowledged in positions. I think that one of the most important points for the Celtic Druid Temple’s word is that the obligation is on the state (i.e. government) to deal with complaints of violations of human rights without requiring any person or group to “prove” their right. It is a matter of asserting a given right, e.g. the right to refuse vaccination, and compelling the state to engage. The right to refuse vaccination is a difficult subject, however, there is a right to articulate that right in general terms and compel the state to address it.”


5. Overall Intention to proclaim define and exercise our rights as members of Celtic Druid Temple

Celtic Druid Temple is officially recognised as the indigenous religion of Éire. Celtic Druid Temple presents a modern expression of the indigenous spiritual tradition of this island. Every man woman and child can choose to openly practice the indigenous spiritual traditions of this island. We can now openly show reverence to Nature as the Supreme Being and acknowledge the Spirit of our Celtic Ancestors without fear of censure. The dignity and inherent divinity of every man woman and child can be honoured and nurtured to its fullest expression.

We are in contact with indigenous peoples / groups in Europe, Russia, Australia, North America, South America and throughout the island of Ireland. It is our intention to share this statement with these groups seeking a declaration of acknowledgement and support from them with a view to developing relationships with and acknowledgement from other indigenous groups around the world that respect Nature. The first paragraph from the top of this page is on the back of the new CDT membership identity card. This replaces the Celtic Gaelic Oath that was shown on the back of the CDT identity card. The Oath will continue to be used and will appear on our Almanac, CDT website and in our social media as graphics/script.

Celtic Gaelic Oath
Respecting Nature as Supreme Being -

We honour the idea of
Gods and Goddesses
as the Source of all creation,

We celebrate the
Gaelic Pagan Festivals on
the cycles of the Sun and Moon,

We acknowledge the inherent
lifeforce in all things.
This proposed change is considered as very important. Our membership identity card has photographic ID and declares our status as a state recognised religion when we show - “RCN 20106003” this means ‘Registered Charity Number’ – a charity for the advancement of religion – but this is not immediately clear to first time readers. A modification to the front of the ID card includes - “Indigenous Religion of Éire”. To obtain an ID card, a real address is required with a recent photo of head and shoulders.
See https://www.celticdruidtemple.com/membershipcards.html
Members that choose to carry and use this card will have the ability to refer to a complete description / information page (i.e. this document) on our website of their rights as members of an indigenous religious group. This includes the “right to choose traditional medicines and natural holistic health practices” and can be used to politely and respectfully decline any vaccination or drug containing human foetal tissue, mercury or any other known or unidentified toxin/s. Members have the right to ask for a full list of ingredients in any medications / vaccinations. Because we hold Nature as Supreme Being we reject all unnatural or abnormal medications and we choose a healthy lifestyle with fresh air, living water and organic food as the means to creating and supporting a healthy immune system in tune with the natural order. The Celtic Druid Temple reaffirms is position that Nature is the Supreme Being and our members may decline all or any unnatural medications on religious grounds.

This policy statement of the mission and intent of the Celtic Druid Temple sets out some of the rights that are inherent in the beliefs of an ancient discipline that is the way of life for the Celtic Druid tradition.

Non-members of the Celtic Druid Temple who hold Nature as Supreme Being may also choose to decline all or any unnatural medications on religious grounds as explained here but without a Celtic Druid Temple Identity Card.
Picture
24th August 2020
The above policy statment can be downloaded as a doc or pdf here
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Celtic Druid Temple, Charity No 20684, June 20th, 2015

20/6/2015

3 Comments

 
Picture
Celtic Druid Temple, Ireland, Charity Status update -
It is my honour to share the news of the recent recognition of the Celtic Druid Temple by the Revenue Commisione as a religion with Nature as the Supreme Being. Achieving the status of a 'Celtic Pagan religion' in Ireland was not easy but after two and a half years of negotiations our application has met with full success. This has enormous implications for the free expression of Nature based spirituality in Ireland with a knock on effect overseas. The following 'press release' contains the details of this recognition which secured the 'charity status number 20684 for the advancement of religion'.

The Celtic Druid Temple is now recognised by the Revenue Commissioner as Ireland’s indigenous religious tradition with Nature as the Supreme Being. Nature based spirituality has once again achieved full recognition in Ireland after a lapse of many centuries. Men and women, young and old seeking to express their Celtic Spirit can openly declare their own direct link to Nature as Supreme Being and seek guidance from the Spirits of the Ancestors. Ritual ceremonies are being held at the ancient temples on the Full Moon and for the Eightfolds of the Sun year across Ireland. This tradition of ceremony at our sacred sites helps us all to re-connect to the cycles of Nature and to our Celtic Spirit so that each of us can make and develop our own unique direct connection to the Gods and Goddesses.

The Celtic Druid Temple now has legal and formal recognition in Ireland as a religious charity from the Revenue Commissioner with a CHY number 20684 issued by the Dept of Finance. Our Druí have jury service exemption status from the Dept. of Justice and An Garda Siochana have on four occasions provided protection for our public ritual ceremonies at Tara and at Newgrange. BUNREACHT NA hÉIREANN secures our freedom to practice our religion, the HSE also recognises Druidry as a religion and recent European legislation further protects the rights of Druids and Pagans. The European Convention on Human Rights provides a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and to manifest a religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. The Irish Educational System recognised Ard Druí Con Connor hosting a spiritual Imbolg ceremony at Tara in their 2004 school book “Religion: The Irish Experience”. Many thousands of people have joined in and contributed at the Celtic Druid Temple’s public ritual Sun and Moon ceremonies since 2003. Celtic Pagans from Ireland and overseas have availed of our private Rites of Passage ceremonies at Temple Crom and at their own chosen locations all over Ireland.

All Irish men, women and children can now choose to openly practice the indigenous spiritual traditions of this island - ‘You can now openly show reverence to Nature as the Supreme Being and acknowledge the Spirit of our Celtic Ancestors without fear of censure. The dignity and inherent divinity of all men and all women can be honored and nurtured to its fullest expression.’ said Ard Druí Con Connor.

The Celtic Druid Temple has continuously hosted public Full Moon ceremonies on Tara in Co Meath since the Spring Equinox 2003. At Temple Crom, near Castlerea in north Roscommon, ritual ceremonies to honour the Full Moon and the Eightfold Sun Year have been held since 2008. These ceremonies are free of charge and open to all who choose Earth based spirituality. This is an opportunity to stand equal in circle connecting to the fullness of the Moon just as our Ancestors did. Celtic Pagan 'Rites of Passage' such as Welcoming and Naming, Coming of Age, Handfasting, Life Path Guidance and Last Rites are offered at Temple Crom and by request at your chosen location. Training courses are available for those who seek to offer service to the growing Celtic Pagan community.

People wishing to join in a ceremony at Temple Crom or at Tara can just turn up before 8pm on the night of the Full Moon. There are no special training or requirements to join us in ceremony, children are welcome with adult supervision and we recommend you arrive early, dress in layers and bring an open heart and a smile.

More information on the process / application for charitable status with the Revenue Commissioner-
A series of what was initially considered as blocking questions from the Charities Section of the Revenue Commissioners (CSRC) outside of the standard application form required detailed considered replies. The difficulty for us revolved around firstly the extended delays in getting responses due to backlogs and secondly - the 'techspeak' of the CSRC which confused at first but then with advice from BCK (our auditors) we could understand what was being said and appropriate replies could be given. There is no 'advice booklet' on how to become recognised as a religion in Ireland. In all fairness our application must have created some difficulties for the CSRC as perhaps they never had or expected an application for 'charitable status for the advancement of religion' from Celtic Druí that honour Nature as Supreme Being.

The CSRC said that the Celtic Druid Temple was not a recognised religion with a supreme being. Because there is no standard agreed international definition of what constitutes 'religion', the Celtic Druid Temple inquired as to who determines within the CSRC what is or is not a religion, what qualifications were required and what certification was held to make such a determination. The Celtic Druid Temple repeated the assertion that for us as Druí we see Nature as the Supreme Being and that this is the indigenous spiritual tradition of this island and that any one seeking to be above Nature would actually be 'supernatural' in our opinion. The Celtic Druid Temple had to push a bit as the CSRC had serious reservations that caused them to seek reasons not to award charity status to the Celtic Druid Temple. Our sincerity, integrity and clarity around who we are and what we do and have been doing publicly since the Spring Equinox 2003 with open and free Full Moon ceremonies on Tara and here at Temple Crom in north Roscommon since Autumn 2008 was eventually acknowledged.

When the CSRC informed the Celtic Druid Temple of our being awarded charitable status they also provided a list of legal requirements and audit conditions and stressed the seriousness of holding charitable status.

We would prefer to be seen as a spiritual tradition that connects us all to Nature and to the Ancestors as we are non hierarchical and do not have a book of rules, but the government in Ireland seems unable to officially recognise 'spirituality'. We will continue to walk our talk and to live life as we have done in the past, but we will live in the now and have an eye to the future too.

We, as a group feel we have achieved much but realise too that this is simply another step...

 Grá, Solas agus Gáire (Love, Light and Laughter)
/|\ Con
celticdruidtemple.com

Celtic Druid Temple - CHY number 20684. Contact Details - Celtic Druid Temple, Rathniamh, Candlefield, Trien, Castlerea, Co Roscommon. [email protected] Please note - the Celtic Druid Temple is not a neo-druid group, we are not wiccan either - we are Celtic Pagan Druí honouring the Ancestors of this land at the sacred temples of this land and as such we are the modern expression of the indigenous spiritual tradition of Ireland. Further information on our activities, services and courses can be found online at celticdruidtemple.com druidschool.com and on Facebook at 'Celtic Druid Temple - Ireland's Druidschool'.

3 Comments

    Authors

    Niamh and Con are founding members of Celtic Druid Temple and walk the path of Celtic Druids in Roscommon, Eire.

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