Sylvia Hui London— The Associated Press Published Saturday, Oct. 02, 2010 3:16PM EDT
Druids have been worshipping the sun and earth for thousands of years in Europe, but now they can say they're practicing an officially recognized religion. The ancient pagan tradition best known for gatherings at Stonehenge every summer solstice has been formally classed as a religion under charity law for the first time in Britain, the national charity regulator said Saturday. That means Druids can receive exemptions from taxes on donations — and now have the same status as such mainstream religions as the Church of England.The Druid Network fought for nearly five years to be recognized under the semi-governmental Charity Commission, which requires proof of cohesive and serious belief in a supreme entity and a moral framework. After initially rejecting the Druid Network's application, the Charity Commission decided this week that Druidry fit the bill. “There is sufficient belief in a supreme being or entity to constitute a religion for the purposes of charity law,” the commission said. Adrian Rooke, a Druid who works as a counsellor, said Druidry appeals to people who are turning away from monotheistic religions but still long for an aspect of spirituality in their lives.
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Don Quixote Note: Vernon Druids have never applied for a Permissive Property Tax Exemption from the City of Vernon yet.
1 comment:
Not yet, but now that the British has led the way I will be thinking about it. Also thinking about forming atheism into an organized religion.
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