The interested may find the relevant conversations (and conclusions) here at TC:
I am, appropriately, Finn over at TC, and have posted at length in those conversations.
While now I’m regretting the time, arguments I’ve spent and anger I’ve suffered while trying to address this, it just goes to show that this is a highly sensitive, “hot button” topic for members of the Celtic polytheism community, especially for Recon-minded folks like myself.
I want it to be abundantly clear, particularly for these newcomers who suffered the indecency of these egomaniacal trolls, that the historical evidence shows the Celts, being a conqueror culture, were a syncretizing, blending, boiling stew of cultures that took languages, gods, and practices willingly, unabashedly and wholeheartedly. The historical evidence also shows the Celts were a tribal culture, placing great importance on family and community, yes, but adoption into each other’s families and communities was highly practiced, and the adoption of pan-Celtic deities, attracting worshipers from all walks of life, and all over the European continent is clear in the record of lore.
There is no place in today’s society for the arrogant tribalism, racism and xenophobia espoused by the people who told these seekers they were unworthy of worshipping “their” gods; that “their” gods were uninterested in their worship, and wouldn’t accept them unless they were, under duress and after extreme abuse and embarrassment adopted by “their” clan; and who slap unwarranted curses of “cultural misappropriation” on those who wish to explore their culture and build relationships with those gods.
The Gods call whom they will, regardless of race, family, and gender, and they will gladly accept with open arms those who seek to worship and work with them honestly, authentically, and devotedly.
*steps off soapbox*
