Order of Bards, Ovates, & Druids (OBOD) Analysis
Year founded: 1964
Location Founded: Sussex, UK
Origins, inspirations, or parent org: Schism of the fraternal order the Ancient Druid Order (ADO).
Founders: Ross Nichols
Official Symbols: Three rays of Awen with drops of wisdom above, sometimes with three circles surrounding it.
Theological compatibility: Polytheism (hard and soft), pantheism/panentheism, liberal monotheism, animism, eclecticism, and others.
Founder prior involvements: Ancient Druid Order, Nichols also worked with Gerald Gardner (who founded Wicca) and they collaborated to outline the current neopagan wheel of the year holidays.
Active, Hiatus, or Defunct, & Rebootability: Currently active, hiatus from 1975-1988.
Centrally organized: Yes
Governing body: No formal name, sometimes casually referred to as “Home Office.”
Study Program or Mentorship: Major well-renowned study program.
Member degrees, ranks, or levels of achievement: Bardic Grade, Ovate Grade, Druid Grade
Membership fees and recurrence: Basic membership £20, Bardic course: £240, Ovate course £240, Druid course £240. Bardic course includes basic membership fee. Membership is for life with no recurring fees.
Estimated membership: 25,000 circa 2021.
Estimated number of Groves or study groups: 200
Current grand poobah & title: Eimear Burke, Chosen Chief
Cult danger (A. B. C. D. E. F. version 2.7) estimated rating: LOW
Alleged cult criteria:
Internal Control - members do not have voting rights or voice in direction of the order
Internal Control — Discrimination - OBOD’s study course (Gwersi) openly discriminates against people with certain neurodiverse conditions, specifically schizophrenia or “psychotic” conditions: “you should not enrol on the course if you have been diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia or a psychotic condition“
Recruiting & Wealth - recruiting of members is promoted, study program is most expensive of any druid order
If anything needs to be rectified, please contact me with proof for correction.
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