During the last decades, old Celtic religion and traditions became increasingly popular again. Unlike other minor religious orientations, however, the Celtic does not separate itself from Christianity; it does not emphasise their differences but their similarities. On this basis, the symbiosis of Celtic Christianity is formed. This ability of adaption and assimilation is demonstrated throughout the Celtic history, particularly during the Roman Empire and Christianisation.
The first part of this paper gives an overview of the old, pagan religion of the Celts with emphasis on the druids and similarities with Christianity. In the second part, the adaption to Roman and Christian religion is displayed along with a short presentation of the Irish Christianisation. The last part combines the previous ones by dealing with the survival and revival of Celtic religion and gives an insight of today’s Druidism.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Old Religion of the Irish Celts
- The Importance of Nature
- The Pagan Gods
- The Druids
- Differences and Similarities to Christianity
- Differences...
- Similarities...
- Differences and Similarities to Christianity
- Adaption to Other Religions
- Adaptations to the Roman Religion
- Christianisation of Ireland
- St Patrick...
- Monasteries, Saints and Asceticism
- Adaption and the Remains of Paganism.………....
- Celtic Religion Today
- Celtic Christianity
- Rediscovering the Old Religion: New Druidism...
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to provide an overview of the old Celtic religion, its adaptation to other religions, particularly Roman and Christian influences, and its survival and revival in contemporary Celtic Christianity and the modern Druid movement.
- The nature-based character of the old Celtic religion
- The importance of the Druids in Celtic society and their role in religion
- The process of Christianisation in Ireland and the adaptation of Celtic religious practices
- The continuity of Celtic religious traditions in modern forms, such as Celtic Christianity and New Druidism
- The significance of the relationship between Christianity and Celtic paganism.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction discusses the growing popularity of Celtic religion and traditions, particularly the focus on the similarities between Celtic paganism and Christianity. It outlines the structure of the paper, focusing on the old Celtic religion, its adaptation, and its modern manifestations.
- The Old Religion of the Irish Celts: This chapter delves into the complexities of reconstructing the religion of the ancient Celts, relying on various sources, including indigenous texts, classical Roman and Greek writings, archaeological evidence, and later traditions. It highlights the importance of nature and the vast pantheon of Celtic gods and goddesses, including their connection to the natural world and their frequent occurrence in triads or pairs.
- Adaption to Other Religions: This chapter focuses on the adaptability of Celtic religion, examining its interaction with Roman religion and the Christianization of Ireland. It explores the role of St. Patrick and the development of Irish Christianity, including the rise of monasteries and the lasting impact of pagan traditions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This text explores the interconnectedness of Celtic paganism, Christianity, and the influence of the Druids. It also delves into the history of Celtic religion, focusing on the adaptation of Celtic practices and beliefs to Roman and Christian influences. Key themes include nature-based religion, the role of the druids, the Christianization of Ireland, and the revival of Celtic traditions in modern forms, such as Celtic Christianity and New Druidism.
- Quote paper
- Sandra Bollenbacher (Author), 2010, The Religion of the Irish Celts, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/204941
