15th February 2009, 07:10 PM
I have watched the debate here, as elsewhere and feel compelled to submit the following.
The Council initially entered into this dialogue with the museums,Heritage and Trust,in order to debate and secure respectful treatment for our ancient remains and inline with other groups, cultures and beliefs. It is an issue of morality and ethics among other things. The Council has at no stage 'forced' or 'demanded' anyone, or any organization to do anything. It is simply a process that has to be gone through. The issue has not been about 'claiming' remains either for ourselves or anyone else, other than the nation itself. The reason the Council has put this before the public is because it is an issue for all and not any one group or path. That is to say, that the whole issue has now been presented to the public, for the sole purpose of open debate, as would have happened regardless at some stage.
Oddie, along with others, including myself, spent an inordinate amount of time, consulting pagan groups, archaeologists and theologists etc, before going forward with this issue and common concensus was, that open debate was needed above all things.
This forum appears to be losing sight of the main issue as it slides into personal issues regarding individual beliefs and comments and not least the inordinate amount of misinformation currently abounding. Much of this has been malicious and from a tiny handful of individuals, some of whom were responsible for the Stonehenge debacle, where a self appointed spokesperson for the whole pagan community,demanded "no archaeology"! This group and elements of, have at times assumed the identity of the Council, for their own ends, which appear to be professional self publicism. I would tentatively suggest, it may be better for folk to put their energies into the consultation itself.
Much has been done by the press to upset the process with their inflammatory terminology and i'm sure those here are under no illusion as to what agenda the press have.
The process is also being side tracked by rather contradictory statements from other interested groups who change their stance regularly and in accordance it seems, with what is happening that particular week.
Thus far and to date, we have been accused amongst other things, of being 'extremists' and 'militant'. I have no knowledge of anything of this nature within the Council and both Heritage and Trust have commended the thoroughness and professionalism of the talks over the last two and a half years.
Oxbeast...Are you a HAD rep and/or do you speak for either HAD or Emma? Are you a member of the Council? Are you sure your assertions have any factual basis?
The Council itself and contradictory to suggestions from Emma and other sources, is a functioning and constitutional body engaged in many other issues including an international tree programme and a project headed by our marine science dept, to draw attention to the wider environmental issues that are not currently in the full public eye. There are not two Councils, there were never two Councils and i reiterate that certain individuals adopt our identity from time to time and as suits. I would also state that other organizations really need to address their factual inaccuracies before going public with them. I would also say that if Emma, HAD or indeed anyone else feels that we are 'militant' or 'extreme' that they will from now on be asked to supply the names of the accused. I would like to think that these references are not being applied to the Council as it stands at this moment in time and may refer to past events which oddly enough, are related to those now shouting and banner waving at such high profile sites such as Stonehenge. Again, please ensure informations given out are in fact correct and not part of the whispering campaign.
For the academics among you, it may be worth noting that a very high profile academic fully supports the real extremists and their behaviours. Why, we don't know, but once again this has the effect of both empowering them and encouraging them.
In summary...
It was always a foregone conclusion that whoever brought the reburial issue to the forefront, would also have to accept the associated problems and attacks by certain individuals.
Again, as elsewhere, i call for moderation,calm and focus on the issue itself. It is up for PUBLIC consultation! This means YOU!
I remain open to attack on all fronts.
Thank you for taking the care to read and hopefully digest this post.
User,
Reburial committee,
Council of British Druid Orders.