What does the Celtic heritage have to offer in today’s world?
Although, Celtic culture had it flaws, it does have some recoverable elements. The early Celtic culture offers a glimpse into a more equal society, prior to entirely functioning under patriarchal rule. The early law codes of the Celtics, created a social structure in relation to women and nature reveal a more balanced society. The religious and spiritual life of women was fulfilling and meaningful with the belief in goddesses a central feature. Early Celtics honored women for their ability to create, and did not subjugate them for it. Celtic beliefs offer an alternative view in the inter-relatedness of goddess to human woman and nature; rather than the today’s view of subservience and domination.
This constructed idea of God, as the male Creator of the female Divine earth; has created a systematic belief of male domination, as being in accordance with the “natural order” and the will of God (Ruether, 1992). The superior social status, which males (the ones in power) hold, has left women, nature, and animals subject to human rule. The belief in the ‘naturalness’ of these arrangements has allowed humans (males in power) to see themselves as a dominant ruler, not a caretaker of nature and animals (Ruether, 1992). The mistreatment of women and disregard of their importance has been extended to nature and animals and has resulted in all humans fearing for their livelihood due to the apparent killing of earth and its eco systems.
It is easy to judge the ancient pagan religions, with their multitude of gods and goddesses, rituals and sacrificial offerings, as being barbaric. However, in this century, humans are still killed in the name of God; religious freedom is used to justify wiping out entire races of people, militarism is used by nations to enforce their dominance, and chemical warfare is used as a weapon, eliminating humans and the precious earth provided by the Goddess for our survival (Ruether, 1992).
This constructed idea of God, as the male Creator of the female Divine earth; has created a systematic belief of male domination, as being in accordance with the “natural order” and the will of God (Ruether, 1992). The superior social status, which males (the ones in power) hold, has left women, nature, and animals subject to human rule. The belief in the ‘naturalness’ of these arrangements has allowed humans (males in power) to see themselves as a dominant ruler, not a caretaker of nature and animals (Ruether, 1992). The mistreatment of women and disregard of their importance has been extended to nature and animals and has resulted in all humans fearing for their livelihood due to the apparent killing of earth and its eco systems.
It is easy to judge the ancient pagan religions, with their multitude of gods and goddesses, rituals and sacrificial offerings, as being barbaric. However, in this century, humans are still killed in the name of God; religious freedom is used to justify wiping out entire races of people, militarism is used by nations to enforce their dominance, and chemical warfare is used as a weapon, eliminating humans and the precious earth provided by the Goddess for our survival (Ruether, 1992).