[Vision2020] Joan and the Celtic Goddess

[DonaldH675 at aol.com]

Michael and Visionaries:
 

When early Christian missionary began  converting indigenous people, for 
example, the Celts, shadows of earlier  traditional belief forms lingered, and 
were largely unchallenged.  (This  made the switch from say Druidism to 
Christianity (arguably) easier to  swallow - particularly when clan leaders dictated 
baptism to his/her subjects en  masse.)  Traditional gods/goddesses maintained a 
presence in the habits and  culture although the people were described as 
"Christian."  But, come on  Michael, this is basis History 101 stuff, you know 
it, and so do the rest of  V2020 readers. The steps are simple to follow:  
fertility goddess +  conversion (often forced) to Christianity = St. Bridget
 
Joan's discussion of Bridget follows that  trajectory.  The only medieval 
"Saint" Bridget that I am aware of is  Bridgit of Sweden who certainly had 
nothing to do with St. Patrick - or  hospitality for that matter, despite Aaron's 
assertion..  
 
Of course there is no heresy connected to  Aaron's position on St. Bridget.  
It's a charming legend....with roots  in paganism. The real question in my 
mind is why didn't the bright lights  at NSA know this already, and name the room 
after a genuine Calvinistic heroine  like Jenny Geddes?  .
 
Rose  Huskey

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight  you, then 
you win." Mahatma Gandhi

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