We Druids are what is referred to as Natural Spiritual Scientist. The Greeks referred to us as adepts in Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature, known in Latin as philosophia naturalis. It is a term applied to the objective study of nature and the physical universe that was regnant before the development of modern science. It is considered what is now called natural science, especially physics. Later (I believe in the 16th century) Natural Philosophy was formalized as Science.
We know little of the actual practice of the Druids (though we are discovering that much can be gleaned from linguistics). But what we do know is that the Druids were the Celtic intelligentsia of the ancient European world, and its in that spirit do we modern Druids practice.
Christians and most "revealed truth" religions follow the "Path of Devotion" while I believe most of my fellow (not all ) Druids would agree that we Druids follow the "Path of Knowledge". We question everything, even our gods, and they (the gods) would have it no other way. They gave us a whole universe to explore and exploring it we are. Our ancestors the Paleo-Druids studied things such as Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Geophysics, Hydrology, Meteorology, Physical Geography, Oceanography, and Physics. Of course such had different names back then.
The Christians of ancient times hated knowledge base traditions like science cause it made folks question their authority. They didn't like that. They ended up defining what is religion. So many scientist later came up as atheist, which is sad cause they have moments of spiritual Awen every time they make a discovery. To the Druids, (then and now) they saw no conflict between religion and science. In fact their discoveries shaped their/our religion. Today one of the main fields of science that modern Druids feel drawn most to or I should say they study all the others in support of is Deep Ecology.
The sudden high interest in Deep Ecology has caused a great spiritual awakening in the scientific community that was badly needed. The non-spiritual (though they do constantly experience spiritual wonder in their field) scientist are dying out. The belief that science & spirituality can not share the same bed is a Christian (and other revealed truth religions) & New Agers (who dislike science cause it follows natural laws which makes their fantasy driven pseudo-sciences invalid. Sorry New Agers! You can place a dull razor under a pyramid with a crystal on top all you want. Its not going to sharpen it. :-P ) concept.
Druids, and most Pagans in general really see no conflict between natural philosophy & spirituality. In fact, most embrace it as a valid part of their Path.
Now I'm referring to science in relations to spirituality. Science in relations to magick itself is a whole other area and share some commonality with my above piece. One area that both religion (the real meaning of the word is to "re-link or re-connect") & magick share is in liturgy (the science of rituals). But as I said, that is another whole subject which I shall write on in another thread.
Final note: I believe the separation of spirituality & science is the cause of environmental destruction & religious wars. Atheist scientist have lost most of their morals & religion without logic & rationality has created a lot of religious fanatics.
Can I get a Awen folks?!
-- Post From My iPhone
