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→Recent controversy
In 2006 the Council of British Druid Orders, the governing body of Druids in the British Isles and elsewhere, suffered an acrimonious split. The issue concerned the controversy surrounding the reburial of pre-Christian archeological remains of human bodies that are now on display in museums. One faction wished to lobby the government to allow Pagan reburial with Druidic rites, while the other faction wished to take a more conciliatory approach. Other factors such as clash of personalities were also involved. There are now two bodies calling themselves the Council of British Druid Orders, each denouncing the other as splitters, and a legal battle through the courts for the right to use the name is pending. Links to the official websites of both these bodies are provided below.
In 2006 the Council of British Druid Orders, the governing body of Druids in the British Isles and elsewhere, suffered an acrimonious split. The issue concerned the controversy surrounding the reburial of pre-Christian archeological remains of human bodies that are now on display in museums. One faction wished to lobby the government to allow Pagan reburial with Druidic rites, while the other faction wished to take a more conciliatory approach. Other factors such as clash of personalities were also involved. There are now two bodies calling themselves the Council of British Druid Orders, each denouncing the other as splitters, and a legal battle through the courts for the right to use the name is pending. Links to the official websites of both these bodies are provided below.
To clarify and correct the above, the split in the Council in September 2006 was not caused by the Reburial issue, but by a complaint that the Chair had abused their position, breaking the non-interference policy by interfering in the internal workings of other Member Orders and defaming other members online. This complaint was upheld and the former Chair and the Head of an Associate (non voting) Order refused to accept this decision and formed their own 'Council' which has some support in the West of the country. Its only full member Order is the Secular Order, and twelve longstanding full member Orders oppose its claim to be CoBDO and speak for and on its behalf.
Those claiming to be the Council (.org) have attempted to take over the official website (.org.uk) fraudulently, by claiming to act on behalf of the person who set up and registered this website. The registration details were quickly returned to their rightful owner and the website reinstated.
A campaign of threats and defamation has ensued, with people pressurised to disassociate themselves from the original CoBDO. This is not 'spirituality' by anyone's measure and nor is it Druidry. Check out the links for yourself and make your own mind up.
Due to the nature of the online battle that has been raging, I fully expect this post to be altered by the other faction at some point. I have made a point of adding to an existing contribution and hope that others may have the courtesy to do the same, to enable people to make their own minds up.
Elected Scribe, Council of British Druid Orders
==Links==
==Links==