Why do scholars describe modern Druidry as a new religious movement rather than a direct survival of ancient Celtic religion?

Scholars categorize modern Druidry as a new religious movement rather than a direct survival of ancient Celtic religion for several key reasons:

• Lack of Historical Continuity: The ancient druids of the Iron Age left no written records of their own. They were rendered extinct by the Middle Ages due to Roman imperialism and the spread of Christianity, leaving no unbroken chain of tradition to the modern era.123
• Eclectic Origins: Modern Druidry emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries, heavily influenced by antiquarian speculation and fraternal societies. These early groups often incorporated theosophy and erroneous beliefs, such as the unfounded association between druids and Stonehenge.12
• Divergent Practices: While modern Druids are inspired by the ancient past, their practices differ significantly. For example, modern practitioners reject the animal and human sacrifice historically attributed to ancient druids, favoring offerings of poetry, song, and vegetarian items.12

Ultimately, scholars view the movement as a contemporary effort to find meaning and inspiration in the distant past rather than an accurate revival of an extinct tradition.2