What I believe

Well I’m an Asatruar, which is Icelandic for faith in the Aesir. As there is also the Vanir many choose to call them selves Heathens (but some don’t due to the modern definition of it either being a evil person or being the same as the word pagan), I tend to use both heathen and Asatru interchangeably. Basically it’s a reconstruction of the old northern religion (or more correctly labelled “Germanic religion”).

We are hardcore polytheists (we believe all the god’s and goddesses are individuals and not representations of one god/goddesses). The worship of the gods is generally limited to three times a year, though some people do so more often, on specific day’s: midsummer, winter finding and Jul (or Yule). We also honour our ancestors (and the gods themselves are believed to be our ancestors), land Wight’s (Landvaettir, land spirits) and have high moral codes (generally taken from the havamal)

What our values and belief are come from heavy research of the lore and we very much dislike the “make it up as you go along”, the “Odin told me that….” and the “come as you are” approaches that are often in other pagan paths (and there tends to be tension between pagans and heathens because of it).

Why I believe
(this is a really tough question, here’s my attempt but I don’t think I really answered it)

(Fist I’ll explain how I became an Asatruar)
Well as a person how was raised atheist (and was quite content to remain so), I will be the fist to admit it was an unusual move. I found Asatru by accident and if I’m honest my first thoughts where “what a load of s*@%# “ however I do like learning about religions and took to reading up on it. The more I read the more of the values I noticed I agreed with, and noticed how the traditions appealed to me. I don’t know exactly when I converted; I just woke up one day and found I had.

I believe that no matter what you faith is as long as you’re not harming anyone else then go ahead. I accept the large possibility my gods may not exist but as my faith has more to do with the here and now, I’m okay with that (and I’m sure my gods are okay with me being okay with that).

So basically I believe due to my agreement of the morals, my love of the traditions and the lore.


Regards
Jonny

I am a Nontheist,

Growing up I was raised in a very strict catholic household. When I met some people who weren't catholics, or any denomination, I questioned why they didn't pray before eating, do the sign of the cross, etc. After a while I questioned Gods existance, I simply saw many flaws with the existance of an omnipotent being, most of them revolve around "if god is real then why...".

I then went through a Wiccan phase 4 years ago, and realized "nope not for me". I've always been a very factual, and logical person. I don't believe things based on faith, or possibility. As such religion doesn't exactly fit in very well with my persona.

And Katsky , let the man believe what he wants =P.

- Kuja

Wrong on both accounts. I've been Asatru for three years just about, while that is not the longest time I wouldn't say I'm new. As for the neo-nazi bit, I have never met one (either on the Internet or in real life), I'm not saying they don't exist just that they are few and far between (as well as being completely loathed by every Asatruar).


It’s not worship as in asking them for stuff or thinking they are greatly superior. I even used the word honour to try and stop people from making that mistake. No matter who you are your ancestors helped shape you life (such as if they moved to another country and your kin have remained there), though we believe this extends to the spiritual side as well. As such we remember them as they are our family (dead or not) and include them in our religious ceremonies (of cores the ones who did damaging things to you family line (such as if you had a mass murderer in your line) are either remembered badly or not at all). Also just because they didn’t save the world from Godzilla doesn’t mean they don’t deserve honouring, many ancestors did nothing more then keep there family under a roof, well fed and clothed and I see no reason not to honour them.

I think our differences lie in the fact that you think you need a reason to honour them I think you need a reason not to.



One god is absurd, how is there only one, have you ever seen any other life form there was only one of, or for that matter why one at all. If you don’t believe my and many other gods then what’s one more, isn’t he just as absurd as mine? And also how can you believe in a god that you have no way of understanding?

See what I did there?

1: don’t watch movies to tell you what the Norse where like (such as no horned helmets)
2: I don’t get the point of the couch potato bit other then to insult me
3: when did I say they where anthropomorphic? They are individuals but I don’t quite believe Thor literally is a bearded man with a hammer.


I thank you for attempting to help me but If I couldn't stand up to people taking this view I wouldn't have been in my religion very long

That is just offensive, not only to me but to Africans. I will have you know that this lunkhead attended Glasgow University studying Astrophysics and is now beginning his fist year of Marine Science at a marine research facility. Just because I follow old gods doesn’t mean that I think we should all go back and dress like the Norsemen, have longships and go off a Viking. Knowledge in my religion is highly valued and we are often criticised for our demand that you learn first and form your own opinions (key word: learn).