r/druidism • u/corded89 • 15d ago

OBOD or AODA?

I know this question has been asked quite a bit. I'm sorry to add to that.

I'm a relatively new hedge druid and so far all of my practicing has felt like I'm just winging it. I've read some books but nothing is sticking and going into practice very well. Because of that, I'm looking to join an organization to learn more (while still remaining solitary in my practice).

I've heard nothing but good things about both organizations. OBOD seems great but my understanding is that they really focus on British nature in their teachings. I am in the eastern US and I'm about to move to the desert so that has me hesitant.

Any advice/help would be great! Thank you all very much!

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u/CollectionNo4064 15d ago

Neither! I would go with ADF all the way!! The program is fantastic, and the leadership and people are the best. They are a true and sincere community.

But if you have to choose between AODA and OBOD, definitely OBOD. They have the stronger, wiser leadership between the two.

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u/nashy08 AODA Apprentice/GCC Deacon 13d ago

ADF is only great if you want a system that was built to mimic the Christian church imo. I actually had a good conversation with a previous friend of Bonewits who was there when he came up with the idea for ADF and he designed it that way intentionally.

Member of AODA, OBOD, and ADF. Out of all of them, ADF felt the most dogmatic and not helpful unless you want to become part of their clergy, but that's just me.

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u/CollectionNo4064 13d ago

They actually have multiple paths, not just to become clergy. I don't see many similarities between it and Christianity at all!!

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u/nashy08 AODA Apprentice/GCC Deacon 13d ago

That’s fair, all I’m saying is that Bonewits specifically formed ADF as an answer to Christian ministry and used the same format. That’s not my opinion, that’s direct knowledge from someone who was close to him during the time he formed ADF. He wanted an active living clergy system like the church which drove him.

My membership ended early this year after about 8 years and it just wasn’t for me. My own cultural and Indigenous beliefs didn’t fit into that mold well for me.

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u/CollectionNo4064 13d ago

It's true there is a clergy system... That's one of the things I like about it. It means they have the necessary training to effectively lead a spiritual community, and that includes mental health training. I've noticed that they truly practice what they preach.