[Vision2020] Joan and the Celtic Goddess

[Joan Opyr]

Aaron Rench, who just doesn't know when to quit, writes:

>> I understand that you're a little jumpy about these things,
>>
>> So, Joan, you can have your celtic goddess, and any other Brigid that 
>> you want, but my point is that there was a Christian Saint Brigid who 
>> was very hospitable, started a church, looked forward to beer in 
>> heaven, and as a side note, did live during the lifetime of Saint 
>> Patrick (he died around 464).
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Aaron

To which J. Ford replied:

> Why do these people always think others are "jumpy" or afraid of them? 
>  And they complain that everyone else in the world is against them!
>
> FYI - According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:
>
> St. Patrick was an Apostle of Ireland, BORN at Kilpatrick, near 
> Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; DIED at Saul, Downpatrick, 
> Ireland, 17 March, 493. (Some sources state he died 17 March, 461.)


Thank you, J. Ford.  No, I am not jumpy about these things.  I am tired 
of the rank ignorance that masquerades as "Christian Classical 
Learning" among Aaron and his colleagues.  The Trinity Fest's would-be 
St. Brigid and all of her alleged hospitality do not correspond with 
St. Patrick in date.  You need to stop getting your history from 
tourist websites, Aaron.  The Abbess Brigid was a 12th century figure; 
by the time this Brigid drew her first breath, St. Patrick was a 
six-hundred year-old legend.  (Just wondering: do you believe that bit 
about him driving all the snakes from Ireland?  Do you believe in 
Bigfoot?)

There were and are many women named Brigid (or one of its variants, 
like Bridget) in Ireland.  It's an old name in honor of an old goddess. 
  The Catholic St. Brigid predates the Abbess Brigid who post-dates St. 
Patrick.  Are we clear on this?  The worship of the goddess Brigid was 
incorporated into the worship of Irish Catholics as an aid to 
conversion; the early Catholic Church was cleverly syncretic in its 
approach, hence its success in converting the stubborn folk of England, 
Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Scandinavia.  Ever seen a St. Brigid's 
cross?  Sheaves of wheat in a rectangular shape, a form that dates back 
to the sheaves of wheat placed on doors in honor (and to appease) the 
goddess Brigid.  Just as striking is Thor's cross -- the ancient, pagan 
god Thor's hammer with an extra hammer head added to the top.  Simple, 
easy, and easily accepted by the newly-converted Vikings.

Now, wipe your noses, wee boys, because here's the important question 
-- what are good protestant lads like yourselves doing arsing about 
with saints of any kind?  However you slice it, that is bad 
post-Reformation Christian theology.  Even your St. Brigid really were 
the woman you think she is (and she ain't), you would still John Calvin 
and John Knox hanging you all from a gibbet.  St. Brigid's feast, my 
fanny.  Trinity Fest, my fanny!  You have carefully elided my 
underlying critique which is that you have made a fetish of the Trinity 
and that is why you are guilty of heresy and idolatry.  Go on now -- 
let's here a genuine Reformed Christian defense of your 
actions/theology re: the trinity.  I double-dog dare you!

Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
www.joanopyr.com