Clan Ogma

The ancient cultures of the Mediterranean were highly literate, and tended to record much about their views on moral behaviour. The Celtic and Insular tribes, according to several Classical commentators, largely eschewed the written word when it came to matters of spirituality and religion. Therefore we no longer have a written moral code informing us of the type of life people back then strove to live.

It is, of course, worth bearing in mind that even if a set of stone tablets were to be unearthed tomorrow giving all that information, it is no guarantee that we today would want to follow it!

We draw our inspiration for moral behaviour from a number of sources, and it is up to each member of Clan to decide for themselves quite how to apply it in the choices facing them in life.

One of the major influences comes from the motto of the Fianna, a warrior band from Ireland. Medieval writings (which may or may not accurately reflect earlier views) describe this motto as "Strength in our hands, Truth in our hearts, Fulfilment on our tongues". Like any maxim, there is much room for interpretation. Here is ours:

Strength in our hands ~ this reflects the courage of the warrior, and has little of nothing to do with having huge muscles and belting seven sorts out of ones enemies! Rather, it is about the courage to face ones fears, to overcome whatever it is in life that scares us (be that a soldier confronting the enemy in battle, or someone facing their psychological inhibitions) and moving forward. More than that, it is about Living rather than existing, making life a colourful, joyful, rip-roaring experience instead of a dull, mousy, inhibited shuffle towards the grave. It is the strength to seize life in both hands, and make the most of it.

Truth in our hearts ~ this reflects the importance of being honest to oneself. It is not a sanction to be brutal and tactless to others. The question "does my bum look big in this" does not require the answer "yes, you look like a beached whale"! One can be honest and diplomatic. The emphasis ont he honesty is that it be within ones own heart ~ that we should not lie to ourselves and try to be something that we are not.

Fulfilment on our tongues ~ reflects an ethical value placed upon speech (or the written word) that is no longer current in mainstream Society. It was the job of the Irish fili and the Welsh bard to praise that which was good, and satirise that which was dire. If an individual does something praiseworthy, then it should be praised! Doing so encourages them to keep at it (no matter how embarassed the British get by commendation, it is always nice to know that ones efforts have been noticed and appreciated.) When the praise is given publically, it also serves to inspire those who hear it ~ the young will learn what constitutes honourable behaviour, the older may well find their spirits lifted to know that there is still good in the world (though some days it may not seem it) and go on to add their own efforts. Similarly, the individual who engages in appalling acts that go unmarked will invariably get worse, convinced that theyc an get away with it. If people see others getting off with dishonourable deeds (or maybe being re-employed six months later in a quango at twice the wage ~ politicans take note), then they become cynical, loose faith in the system, wonder why they bother trying to do the right thing when others get away with it etc. The young and impressionable may simply emultae what they see others doing. If dishonourable actions are loudly scorned, the miscreants are less likely to do it again, and others may feel less inclined to emulate them. Many modern people have grown deeply apathetic towards and cynical of the world at large, feeling that it's better to keep quiet, keep your head down, don't rock the boat etc. In Clan, we strive to reverse this in our own small way by using the power of words to praise or decry as the situation demands.

Further thoughts on ethical issues will be added in due course.