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04/16/2006: "Reconstructionism, Restorationism, and Eclecticism"
music: Only a Fool Would say That - Steely Danmood: Amused
I was over at the Celtic Restorationist/Reconstructionist Paganism's Journal live journal the other day ( http://community.livejournal.com/cr_r/ ) and I had a good chuckle when I saw one of the journal's moderators, Kathryn Price NicDhana (caitriona_nnc) , take mild offense at CR/R being called eclectic by another journal member pointing out that CR/R's pick and choose which *Celtic* cultural traditions and practices they are going to follow and which ones they are not.
Let me start out by saying I have
nothing against the religious/spiritual path that a group of people have named Celtic Reconstructionism. They are quick to declare that theirs is a religion, not a methodology, though I have debated with some of them on groups like Nemeton that reconstructionism *is* a method at arriving to a goal.
"Piecing together research and living practices from various sources on a specific Celtic culture in order to reconstruct a fuller, more viable religion, is reconstructionism, not eclecticism," says NicDhana.
( http://community.livejournal.com/cr_r/166832.html?thread=1529776#t1529776 )
NicDhana then goes on to expound that "In contemporary usage, eclecticism means combining pieces from different cultures with no guideline beyond personal preference. Reconstructionism strives to be as true as possible to the ancient culture while, when necessary, modifying it to not conflict with modern laws or scientific advances."
How does the dictionary define eclecticism? Merriam Webster calls it the "theory or practice of an eclectic method".
What is eclectic? Merriam Webster says: Etymology: Greek eklektikos, from eklegein to select, from ex- out + legein to gather. Adjective:1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles. 2 : composed of elements drawn from various sources.
What is Celtic Reconstructionism? Caitriona_nnc says: "piecing together research and living practices from various sources on a specific Celtic culture in order to reconstruct a fuller, more viable religion, is reconstructionism."
How does the dictionary define "reconstruct"? Merriam Webster says:: to construct again: as a : to establish or assemble again b : to build up again mentally : re-create
NicDhana prefaces the whole defense by stating: "Celtic cultures were, and are, diverse. Even when we stick to the principle of cultural focus (Gaelic, Welsh, OR Gaulish, not pan-Celtic) there is diversity of practices and, to a lesser extent, some beliefs, from region to region and time period to time period."
So, according to the dictionary's second definition, eclectics gather material "composed of elements drawn from various sources". Do CR/R's do this in the development of their spiritual path? Of course they do. Do they stick to a specific cultural (i.e Irish, Welsh, etc.) focus? Of course they don't.
Irish mythology, lore from Scotland's highlands, as well as the Welsh are all used. Isn't that various sources? CR/R followers on the same journal admit to filling in the blanks with inspiration or comparisons from other cultural influences such as Vedic sources. That is *not* specific cultural focus. And it is eclectic.
CR/R's own introductory essay (co-written by Caitiona_nnc) claims:
"Because of the limited nature of source material on Celtic tribal Paganism, these people also took inspiration from other cultures to help try to fill in the holes for building ritual and community. Norse research, village Hinduism and puja practices, ecstatic traditions like Voudon and Umbanda, and animist tribal religions were examined for similarities to what appeared in the primary and secondary sources on Celtic religions. "
Despite claims to the contrary by the "elders" of CR, this is eclectic behavior. Though admittedly much more scholarly based than many other types of neo-Pagan eclectism, such as some Wiccan paths, it still fits the definition of the word, "contemporary" or not.
What is being "reconstructed"? An ancient Celtic pagan belief system? The answer is no. A new spiritual path is being created, based upon the things that NicDhana and others mention as their guidelines.
The evidence appears to indicate that Celtic Reconstructionism has a measure of eclecticism, is a scholarly constructed neo-Pagan religion, and has a measure of pan-Celtic influence.
For more intro info on CR from the CR elders, please go to: http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswa&c=trads&id=6645
Tearlach Roibeard Luder