The ODIN BROTHERHOOD: A Pagan Secret Society

Greetings brothers of Odin,

I have been looking at different Asatru sites since the begining of the year and what I have found is that they mostly seem 'New Age' in their teachings. Not what I expected from those to claim they follow the 'Old ways'.

Am I wrong in my understanding in their teachings or just wrong in my beliefs?

I am not a 'hater' or racist, but I do believe that every race should strive for individuality to keep their culture alive. I am in no sense pure blood myself, as I stated my hertiage in my 'Introduction' post. But, I am desended from Northern European stock.

I also believe homosexualtiy is wrong, not because it is a Christian teaching, but because it goes against nature and what I believe the true Gods would want. The family kindred, hearth and the values of the warrior is what keeps us strong .

And the Asatru sites that I have visited will except anyone regardless of sexuality and race. I have friends that are of other races and treat them no different then I treat friends that have the same ancestrial background.

Comments please:

I agree with your statement. To each his own!

I do not have any problems with other races, not the least! But the Northern Gods are Gods of the Northern people!

I personally do not know of any Asatru groups that would allow people of a different racial background to join them. I think most would point them in the direction of their own ancestral Gods which their ancestor worshipped before the arrival of the desert god.

About homosexuals, I agree that it seems wrong against nature though I have no problems with those that are homosexual.

Hail,

Very well put Haggis. I concur with the above posts. I am Folkish, and I dispise the New Age Granola Chewing group hug mentality of what passes as a male role modle now days. We in teh Western european tradition in my opinion, have been corrupted by the advent of the 60's movements that lead to men showing a female side, and sex roles being turned upside down. I Believe the Chrsitian Church with it's conecpt of Turn the Other Cheek, and the Meek Inheriting the Earth, were direct assualts on the old warrior cultures of our ancestors. The Christian Church waged a 1000 year war, (and even now) to erradicate our Northern European Warrior tradition and Culture. The Advent of the 1960's saw cultural movements that further went on to emasculate the male warrior tradition and role model.

The rise of the effeminite man as the man who is in tocuh with his female side and the sensitive male as ideal, was highly advanced in the 1960's peace movement. It came with it's own religious movement that gave birth to our modern New Age Movement.

I do not have any problems with someone who follows the Hindu tradition, for we should note our ancestors invaded into India bringing a variant of the Gods we worship in our tradition, the chariot, and a caste system that reverered preistly classes, and Warriors as the foremost castes, then merchants. In fact the early Proto European Religion that came out of the Black Sea region also had a class of warriors not only seperate from the rest of society, they were mostly symbolized by Wolves, and later the Bear. The Hindu gods and ours are cousins, but the New Age movement is not about keeping true to an historical tradition, but creating a new one from any path you choose.

For the moment, let us consider one of the 60's mantra's that wwas popular: "Real men Cry"

It goes without saying all shed tears, but the movement sought to create a male class of sensitive effinite males that a rising feminist movement could view as "Safe" males. The entire cultural movement of the 60's was geared at Anti-War in and establishment in general, and that Anti-war slant would include getting rid of guns, real or toys, and teaching crafting young boys to grow into a sensitive non threatening role.

While It should be noted that all men have a sensitive side, I do not concur with this train of thought that we should emasculate males to create a class of men who disdain the warrior code and culture. It was a part of the movement in the 60's that the ideal man should be sensitive and non threatening, it was pushed further by religious or quasi religious gurus that taught there was no place in the world for war or warriors.

This is the root of both issues you raise. While no one would ever say that homosexuality did not exist in the past, nore among warrior calsses (Case in point: Sparta and ancient Greece) I would argue that I believe it is against nature to do so. Even a horse and a donkey can mate and produce a mule, but I have yet to see two males that can produce an offspring. That alone to me points to the fact it is against our true nature. What some one else may do, I believe is on them if there are negative consequences, but I personally do not feel Homosexuality is accpetable in the natural scheme. Others may feel differently, but I believe this is a personal conviction all must look at within themselves.

I have a maxim: Leave me, my wife, my kids, and my pets alone sexually, and you may do as you wish, However: I do not have to accept waht one does as acceptable or natural. For myself this is easy. I know what I believe is naturla and correct by nature. Others can do as they wish. i will walk the path I know to be right for me.

As to the New Age movement, I do believe there are many well wishing and honest folks in that movement, but feel they are wasting their time and efforts in a pie int eh sky ala carte spiritual movent full of charlatans and money making authors, at the expense of honoring time honored spiritual paths. I had been a member of that movement when I was young and walked out of Christianity knowing there had to be more...

Within the movement we see corrupted traditions from Cletic, Norse, Hindu (or any other group you wish to choose ala carte to include) combined with esoteric practices from once a agian any other group you wish to include as a path for those who walk it. Most of the things they take from our tradition or others, are corrupted, or altered. The key of the New Age spiritual movement is you can believe anything you wish and every thing you take as you choose is right, even if it is not soundly based in any historical tradition, or you can fabricate your own belief system. Spiritualy, an ala carte pick and choose is the rule of law.

Where I get even more upset about this movement is they present their views of altered spiritual paths, and reinvent our traditions in their own views ignoring our traditions. They corrupt our beliefs as somehow universal pie in the sky practices to include wicca, or whatever practice like Reike or other traditions, package as NORSE, or CELTIC, and sell it to the mindless masses as the TRUE path.

Sadly I know there are many lost and wandering people spiritually out of touch with their heritage and ancestral gods, who will latch onto anything in the hope they have found the true way. The many lecturers and authors in teh movement have made a multimillion dollar (Or whatever currency is in use in their home country) Franchise over this. There are group retreats where one can pay hundereds of Dollars to go for a weekend to hear a lecturer or learn to channel some spirit. In this group you will find many charlatans trying to turn a buck.

Mind you, we see charlatans in every faith, and as noted, some of these people are well intentioned, but I would argue severly misguided. I prefer to keep my traditional practices as pure as possible, if I am practicing Odinism, or a Cletic rite, as I am of both heritages. I do not need an ancient chinese spirtual master, or a member fo the arcturian star command to guide my rites, practices, or aid me in understanding Odin and our Pantheon. There are new age groups that will advance that type of thought, or argue that Odin was some member of a star fleet of higher angels from some planet that oversees us.

Our lore is very explicit as to who our gods are, and from our lore we see our spiritual practices and teachings. The Havamal for instance is as it is, we do not need an angel of the star command to refine it.

I concur with you brother on the concepts you present. Our Gods are our folk. Our faith is quite clear as to who our Gods are, and ou rites are time honored, and not influenced by modern magic and spiritualism from the 1800's as are Wicca and teh New Age Movement.

It can be said though that the New Age is a misnomer or an oxymoron. There is really nothing very new in this movement other than the ala carte style acceptance of every spiritual practice available and or any new variant as acceptable. The basis to most of their beliefs are on very ancient beliefs world wide thrown in a bag, shaken up, and pulled out wrapped and packaged in anyway they wish.

Others will have other opinions on the issues of homosexuality as a morally right or wrong issue, or as natural. Others may also not be folkish as to our gods being for our folk, and people of other heritages having the need to seek their ancestral gods. I view our gods as for our folk, and relationships based on the natural pairing of male and female.

We may look at the tale of Loki changing into a Mare to seduce away the giants horse in the tale of teh building of the wall of Asgard as a possible note of transgendered or a teaching of homosexual relationships. While that union did produce one of Odins greatest gifts, Sleipner, to get it, Loki had to change his sex, and mate with an animal of his own gender. He not only turned against his gender, he had sexual realtions with a male. Some may say that union was a wonderful thing for it produced Sleipner, but it could be argued that in betraying his gender and engaging in that act, he was punished by conceiving and giving birth. From that birth Odin extracted a positive thing, but at the expence of Loki's defying his gender having inercourse with his natural gender (Even though while in the guise of a female)

All of this could be subject to many understandings, but I do not condemn those who walk in path, or orientation, I howver do not see it as natural or justified in our lore. I believe that men should be raised from young boys and initiated into the culture of the warrior. That the codes and teachings of teh path of the warrior breed men of reknown. The 60's effeminite man, while caring and perhaps we can say sexually placed in a reveresed psychological role, was reared to disdain the warrior path. While it may work for these men, and the many well meaning men of that movement, I see that as the modern assault on the warrior culture.

Let us take our adolescent boys and let them go throguh warrior rites of passage to be considered men. Let us take the spear and dance by the fire, let us engage in martial contests and train as warriors, for these things are of our historical religious culture. The granola eating, group hugging guy, who talks to his St. Germain the New Age Avater, or Star Command of Arturius, peace and taking guns way, has his place: But Not in the warrior circle. Pardon my thoughts on this, but he may fit the sewing circle or the tea club better, but if such is his choice I wish him well. We who walk the path can serve our gods better as we do. Whatever the role of teh New Age non-warrior male, or his orientation, I will let our Gods sort out their place. I know mine. That is what we should uphold foremost: Our warrior path and our Dedication to our gods. While I hope all may awake to Odins path who have not, We can only know, some will not. Our path then is to wlak as a warrior for our folk as our most imporant duty.

These are only my thoughts.

Ravenwolf,

Fist by Folkish do you mean 'Wotanism'?

The Christian Church as you know had their warrior classes; the Knights of Templar? They killed many in the name of God and were considered fighting priests and there were also the Tutonic(sp?) Knights. The Christian Church in the middle ages raised many young men to die for their causes.

As you I believe that it all started with the Hippies in the '60s with there 'Flower Power' and peace not war mentality. And now a days when kids are playing sports there can not be any loosers, everyone has it be a winner. They aught to change that to everyone has to be a 'Whinner'. If kids can not compete and learn to except failure and to drive on and better themselves of course they are going to be wimps. Or as the Governator would say; "Girlie men".

Homosexuality did exist in the past with the Spartan warriors and also with the Samurai. While these were sexual encounters to develop bonds of loyalty and even allegiances I for one will forgo that pratice. As you stated above; "However: I do not have to accept waht one does as acceptable or natural. For myself this is easy. I know what I believe is naturla and correct by nature. Others can do as they wish. i will walk the path I know to be right for me." I agree wholeheartly.

As I believe I stated in my introduction that I found the Christian church to be filled with hyprocripsy early on. Example they have 'Turn the other cheek', but they also state; 'An eye for an eye'. as I have always been drawn to the Norse Gods and the patheon of Northern Europe I have not until recently know of others that were of like mind, thou I knew that they must exsist. With that being said I seek the right path that in which my ancestors followed. And in this quest for truth I must be wary of the charltan that would lead me astray.

I agree with your words and thoughts Ravenwolf and by the way I am also ex-Army.

Hail Brother,

It is good to see you here. It would seem you and I do have several things in common. I concur with your thoughts. I am not A Wotanist, but a solitary warrior mystic if you will. I believe each culture has within it's DNA certain predispositions to ancestral Gods and culural heritage. While we do see in our folk many of mixed heritage, we have at our core in Northern Europe, the identity of Odin within our very DNA. It is from this genetic tie that we are called. If one identifies more with one cultural heritage or another if they are mixed, I would say that which calls them are their ancestral gods. It is an easy choice for me. My Ancestors were Celtic and Nordo / Germanic. For myself, that which calls me is Odin. I would point to others from o0ther cultures to their ancestral gods and ways. For Instance, Steven McNallen had a sequence of articles that related to We of Northern European heritage being drawn to or practicing NAtive American Spiritual Beliefs. While many will say it is up to teh individual, many Native American Leaders will tell seekers first to look to their tradions, for here is where their power lies. I do have several copied articles realtd to this, including one that outlines that some Natieve Americans are turning away those not of that heritage rather than accept them.

It is to me a common sense issue. Why Would I practice Australian Aboriginal Magic, if I am not an Australian Aboriginal? While it may be a path I could learn from, or may work well enough, it is not "MY"enetic path already encoded in my DNA over thousands of years. This is not to say that some elements might not be the same. We can find many similarities in Native American practice of Magic, or totems use, to our ancient ancestors use of the same. It is simply that all these traditions further back their path grew out of Shamanic practice and thought.

Even if those similarities exist, It would not mean, I would not be programed to be a great Voodoo / Hoodoo priest, even though I could do so. (UNLESS, I was of that heritage.) It is the same as I believe I am molded by my genetics and spirituality to be an Odinist. I do practice Celtic paths as well, as I am of that lineage as well. It is my belief tht we should look to our genetic ancestors that reside in our very DNA for our stregnth and path.

As to the Kinights Templar, I have studied the Crusades well. I have found that era most interesting for numerous years, and I am a degreed History Teacher by trade. (Where I live it is hard to break into the field.) I believe that era, and the earlier era of Christian Militancy to be of great interest and relevance to us today. In the Awakening of our folk, we see the seeds of that forced conversion comming full circle with the revival of Odin pulling off the greatest Ressurection story in history... a faith labled dead and gone, suddenly entering back onto the world stage with a renewed impact that is stunning. Asatru is by far I believe the most impacting spiritual revival in history, and we are fortunate enough to see that great awakening only just begining in our age. The future is limitless to the potential. I believe we will see in the 21st Century the greatets religious footnote to that age will not be radical Islam, but the rebirth of Odinism. I do believe however it is inevietable we will face a conflict with Islam as Mark Mirabello noted in his interview for the Odin Lives segment he recorded. Due to the nature of Isalm, as pagans we are to be considered a far worse adbomination than Judiasm and Christiantiy they view as brother religions. It is my own opinion.

Welcome yet another Ex Military Warrior! It is no suprise to hear that being Scottish and and an Odinist! I come from a long line of Military brats. It seems for we of Scottish and Irish heritage we are drawn to martial careers. Our Germanic DNA also calls to us to be warriors. As to the Folkish Note, I will conceed only that our Gods call whom they choose, but to we of the heritage, it is our path defined by our DNA that predestins us to our Gods... after all, their DNA is in our blood as well.

Hail Brother and Welcome! It is good to have you among us!

No longer a member

I feel obliged to add that in Flanders both Asatru groups I know of call them self Asatru and are indeed Folkish. One more then the other one. But folkish they both are. ;)

Good information too know, Thank you. As I have already stated most of the groups (Asatru) that I have read about, researched so far seem to be more uviversal in their following instead of folkish.

I also find myself agreeing with Ravenwolf's words. I will continue my search for those that think as Myself, but I have found a good start here.

All of you, your words are uplifting and I belive will lead me to the truth of the Old Gods.

Prost!!

Haggis,

I am feeling like we have traveled some of the same roads getting here. I have been Honoring the Northern Gods and Goddesses for several years and I have know many fine Asatru folks who I am glad to call friends though for some reason I remained solitary, I just never seem to fit in with them and I was begining to think it was something wrong with my views then, and i can't even remember how I came here, just found my self reading posts on this list and found my self nodding my head a lot, and the more I read everyones views the more I tend to agree though not intirly in some cases but for the most part, I can see me writing similar things. I am also not a racist nor do I disparage anyone their faith or orientations their lives are not mine and this is where mine has brought me, though I had concerns when I first came to this list here after hearing all the propiganda concerning Odinists, but in reality what I found here after actually reading the posts are thoughtful, like minded folks who are serious about their religion and ancestral heritage, and thankfully what I have not found was twisted political rantings and dogma.

Beowolf_Firestorm, I agree in that we of northern european heritage should embrace our roots and our gods and those of other races should embrace their cultures and gods. I am not a racist all I ask is that you leave me and mine alone do no wrong against my family or kindred and I will leave you alone, live and let live.

It sounds as though we are traveling the same path, company is always good when you are on a journey.

I too am glad that I have not read any; "twisted political rantings and dogma. " At the same time reading what I have here I know that I am folkish in my beliefs and could/would not join any kindred that was not folkish and at the same time did not force extremist beliefs down my throat.

Hail,

I believe you shall find many like minded folks here. I am folkish, this is my personal conviction, but others are free to worship as they see fit. I noted the gods choose their own. I have not chosen my gods, this template was made for me well before my birth.

Welcome Brothers. It is good to have you here!

Regarding the names Odinism and Asatru, I am old enough to remember when they meant the same thing. To this day, I freely interchange them, and I notice that older pioneers do the same thing.

Then, starting with the Troth in the 1990's, some members began to argue that Odinism meant racist. This, of course, is incorrect.

Even sadder, aound 2002 or so there was an Odin Brotherhood web site that linked with this more or less excellent page:

http://www.irminsul.org/ir/irpage.html

The people from Irminsul e-mailed and demanded that the link be removed! Rather curious!

Hail,
I have seen this site before and there is some good information on it once you get past the legal ease disclaimers. Though I find the information seems more slanted towards mainstream Asatru than the Odinist side of the Folk. This is not a slap to them by any means, just my take on what I have read.

Hail,

Sadly there are many misconceptions about the faith and I too have interchanged these terms until I have fully awakened, and understood ODinism to be a term that related more to what I feel is correct. As noted elsewhere in a post I made notes that tehre are elements that consider themselves at war with us: Literally. Mostly these are groups that link us all to goose stepping hate mongerism, and Nazi Psuedo Science. Sadly these groups have impacted us all. Case in Point, I recall when Odin Lives radio broadcast show was the Nine Worlds Radio Broadcast show. It was just such a situation where the radio show went to a heritage festival where these elements were involved, that lead to a dislaimer on the website, and I believe the name change. If anyone has better info on that, please feel free to cvlarify this post, as I am not aware of the entire situation. I do remember reading the disclaimer and seeing the name change later, and shaking my head in sadness.

A few rotten apples can spoil the bunch, but sadly I have seen many link Folkish thought to racism. It is not. It is upholding our heritage, and encouraging others to do the same. As I did note before though, I feel strongly the gods choose their own, we do not choose them. Being of Northern European heritage though, my path was set before me well before I was born. We can hope though that proper instruction in the lore and the faith can erase the specter of racist smears against our faith. It is well noted that National Socialism used elements of our faith for it's own purposes and distorted the same toward the goal of a misguided miscreant and demigoge.

True Odinism has to do with Odin, our faith, and the folk alone. Not Hitlerism, and Nazi Psuedoscience.

We can not allow ourfaith and folk to marginalized and defined by hypocrisy and twisting our faith into a politcal vehicle to empower petty dictators to power with pychophantic aims, as did Mational Socialism in the 30's and 40's and would ove to do so today. While members of our faith may have many politcal thoughts, and mine tend to be rather far right and conservative in nature, we can not allow the hijacking of our faith by any group. Odin knows his folk. He also knows those who come in his guise for political menas not the spiritual needs of the folk.

This is not to say we as a movement shouold not be a political, social, and economic entity to advance our folk. I believe we all need to be activists and advocates of that. But racisits who seek to subvert the folk, or pervert the faith are heretics and frauds.

Just my thoughts.

While I can accept the conecpt of preserving ones heritage and cultural identity, and that we of the Northern European heritage are greatly compromised in doing so, it is becasue of National Socialism, and racist thought that we are compromised. Case in point: Project Megiddo. We would not have seen all members of our faith listed as potential terrorists and enemies of the United States, were it not for those elements that falsely wave Odin to the public while manipulating our faith to their own ends, we would not have been listed there in the first place.

It is up to us to police our own. I am of a mind all are free to believe as they choose, but do not concur with National Socialism as of any relevevence to the folk or faith, otehr than a stain that taints us all in the eyes of others. My own political thoughts are considered extreme in regard to heritage, illegal immigration, and terrorism, but these are not for racist reasons, but practical reasons on the preservation of the folk, faith and heritage. I am radical about that. But this is about preservation and cultural identity alone. Not about racism or advancing the agenda of petty wannabe dictators. I would encourage those of other cultural identities and faiths to do the same. In many cases these groups have been doing so far longer than we have, and in that we can learn from them the reason why we should do the same.

In America we have several ethnic identity months and days... that is for most other cultures and groups. we do not have national Germanic Herotage month, or Scottish or Irish Heritage Month, nor even a National Native American Heritage month. I would like to have my own month as well, but not out of anger over others having them, so much as it is that as these groups have empowered themselevs so much to get these cultural months to be nationally recognized, I believe we can learn form thier example as well: We could seek to have our own month to celebrate our folk and faith. I do not see that happening anytime soon, and the recognition would be only a minor element. The fact that these groups recognized the need to honor and advance their interests enough to have nationally recognized months set up, says volumes.

It is not a racist drive, but a drive to preserve ones identity and heritage. Others do so, and we should seek the same. The fact we could get a month to celebrate our heritage is not as important to me than the fact that we could mobolize our folk to see the importance and power of our folk in the advancement of our interests. I celebrate my heritage every day and for my life's duration. However, in preserving our heritage and advancement of the folk we should keep in mind that it is not about outdoing other groups, but seeking to advance ours as others are doing. I applaud these months to honor diversity. In so doing, I also want the right to be able to have my folk and faith recognized as relevent to society.

Instead because of National Socialism and Hate Groups ripping off our faith, we are all labled as racist. Our sacred symbols listed on hate group websites, and disclaimers added to state not all who wear them are racist. I am appaled that the disclaimer is needed at all. To see my sacred Valknot listed as a symbol of hate, is sad to me. It is Odins symbol: Th knot of the slain, the symbol of we who are willing to be taken to valhalla at anytime at Odins discretion. A mighty strong and powerful symbol of Odin with heavy conotations to the wearer.

Our Ancetors were in amny lands and had dealings with many groups from Asia, NorthAfrica, The Mideast, to Vinland, and there were many who took up the faith. In that The gods choose their own. I would argue that we of Northern Europe are already chosen and predestined to the faith, and would encourage those not of the heritage to look at thier heritage for their power lies in their ancestors and DNA. As to wether Odin would choose one of another culture or heeritage? That is Odins choice. My Choice was easy. I was born into it. But, it would be ludacrise to assume that only those of our heritage oracticed our faith. While I would argue those of our heritage are empowered far stronger by our genetic ties, but as to wether Odin might empower another not so? Only Odin knows that and it is up to him alone.

These are my thoughts alone. I concur. Racism has tainted our faith, but we can calim it back from these groups, and can also be mindful of advancing our interests as other groups have done. We would do well to learn from their mobilization and advancement of their interests. To advance ones folk and faith is not racist. To keep another from doing the same however is. Thta is where the crux lies. To defame anothers heritage or faith is racist, but to preserve our own is survival.

Many Brothers may not have the same views on the topic. There are many from various backgrounds and standings, but clearly preservation of the folk and racism are two very differnt things. The Gas Chambers and concentration camps of of Germany were not Odinist, and the twisted revisionists of history that seek to dent that existence have been blinded and misguided in their ignorance as Hitler was in his own hate mongering. Odinism worships Odin and the folk faith, National Socialism Worships Hitler and the NSDAP. Clearly, it is obvious which one is of Odin.

Ravenwolf, I have read your words and what you say is true, but in this day and age of 'political correctness' the only time you are not a racist is when you are supporting the minorities.

If you are against illegal immigration you are considered a racist. As a govt. contractor I notice that they have a 'Black History Month', a 'Hispanic Hertiage Month' and 'Asian/Pacific Islander Day', but no German American, Irish American or whatever white American month or day. To do so to promote White America is to be considered a racist and it is a shame that if/when we promote our white ethnic background that we are then racists.

This is the 'Political Correctness' time we live in. What happened to equality. I tired to file an EEO complaint one time against a former supervisor at another job. She was black and I am white, no kidding, and I was told that I had no case against her. I will not go into detail, but basically as a white person there was no such thing as an EEO against a black person.

I do agree with all that you have said Ravenwolf and I wish there was equality. Also serving in the military I noticed a lot of reverse discrimination.

Hail All,
In my humble opinion it is a shame that the world is stuck trying to walk through he forest backwards, more progress would be made if people would just turn around and focus on the trail ahead of them. It is unfortunate that so much time is waisted on trying to make everyone exactly the same there isn't time to appreciate the differences, in an eco system if you remove one component you risk distroying the habitat, I feel that by turning supressing the Cultural contributions of the Northern Europians because of the actions of thoes who are dispised by everyone and most especially thoes of Norther Europian Heritage is a travisty and it begs the question "When the Northern Europian Heritage is Dead, which one will be next"? Because there is no culture that ever existed that has not wronged another and when one is gone people will certainly find the next wicked race.
It has been said there is no superior race and no chosen people, there are just people and I feel that until we learn to see the beauty in the diversity of Individual Cultures, and all work towards preserving the contributions of all cultures, the Art , Litriture and Customs of all cultures then there is never going to be a point where all cutlures are tollerated and accepted, and the status quo will continue to be that everyone looks for the worst in everyone who is different than them selves.

There are many issues that need to be addressed like Illegal Immigration, this is after all Breaking and entering and should be treated as a crime, the fact that they are treated with Kid gloves is a slap in the face of the truly Hard working Legal Immigrants and is a shame.

Kk , off my soap box for now

Hail,

Your words are indeed correct. I too have been on that side of the issue you mention. Sadly to stand up for our heritage means unless we are a minority here in Vinland USA, we are branded racist regardless of intent or situation. Not far from here each year there is a German Folk Festival, in an area predominantly German American. It is a nationally recognized event, but we see grops listing or condemning it as racially motivated, though it has an impeccable history of openess and recoginized as an honoring of German heritage.

Sadly it seems that it is a symptom of the universe we live in. We face that stigma even before we stand to present our heritage by those of special interest or slants that seek to deny our ability to honor our heritage as some how not as important as anothers. That is the real travesty here. As you note, others may stand and present their heritage fairly, but we are some how looked at as radical or fringe if we of the Northern European faith do the same. This not universal, but it is indeed a reality in the area I live.

I concur with the above posts. We take this issue into our own hands, but we should keep in mind the advancement of our folk as tantamount to survival. Indeed, who stands to advance our interests and folk if we do not? It is survival. As to past wrongs comitted. no one is innocent. But int he present, we need to ensure our folk and faith are advanced, and not pushed to the way side from apathy or believeing that some one else should stand up but not we.

Good points brother. IT is all a matter of perspective. the sad truth is, our ancestors knew full well the idea of survival of teh fittest ensured the propogation of our speciaes and ways. Too many are apathetic to that today and out of touch with their own heritage. looking to others for identity, when their identity stares them in the face each time they look in the mirror. We must compete to survive, or relinquish ourselves to yet another foot note in hisotry if we do not. I for one, believe it is our duty as warriors and leaders of men to be advocates for our folk and faith.

Who will do so if not we the awakened? I would rather not have some universalist christian advancing my rights, even if his intentions are to keep spiritual ballance, or some NEw Age guru who teaches we should allow diversity... I would rather a warrior of of our folk and faith satnd on our heritage and fiath to advance our folk. We are those warriors. We then owe it to our descendants to ensure that in teh ages to come, they have will thrive and preserve our identity and faith.

We are the vanguard of that front. If it means advocacy, than advocacy I choose. If it means writing letters to an editor, or coming out to public meetings than I am more than willing to be a face of the Odinist Movement. I do not see my folk or faith as a shameful entity that means I should hide my feelings or my thoughts at the sake of offending others or making christians or Otehr Faiths feel uncofortable. I am an Ulfhednar of my folk and faith. If an issue is political or social and it effects the same, I am willing to stand and be counted with Odin. This is a battle we face today, in the world we live. Whether I be involved in the organization of special interests to benefit our folk or faith, or to fight the taint of racism that is used to persecute our faith, I satnd with Odin, our folk, and our people. In that I am willing to die in whatever battle I engage to benefit my faith or folk. Activists sometimes take bullets for their advocacy. I am ready. I wear my Valknot. May Odin take me as he chooses and grant me victory as he wills. But even if it is to ensure a prisoner has the right to possess a valknot, thors hammer, or have access to our written lore. I stand to defend that right. OR, if it is to stand against the government lable of my faith as a terrorist faith (See the Project Megiddo Report posted elswhere in the topic 'The War Against Odinism") I satnd to be labled or defined in anyway so given, for my intnetion is known to Odin, the gods and Goddesses, and I walk for my folk and faith. Throw me to the Lions or burn me at the stake if you choose, I choose the lions and spit upon the exectioner as I burn. I am an Odinist, not a sheep. I ama warrior for my folk and faith, not a mouth peice. We must be preapred to walk our talk, and or to talk our walk as the situtation requires. If it is racist to be for ones folk and faith, than I am so labled. Odin knows my heart. But, I do not disadian any other race or heritage sme rights I seek for our folk. I believe all should have such rights and advance their heritage.

It is obvious though, that we face an uphill battle to clear the taint of racism from our folk. As noted by Beowulf Firestorm so well. THe difference in a bully and a warrior is intent. I so agree! I am not willing to consign my folk and faith to a secondary status to other speical groups or interests when we look at the government and it's actions. In Fact, I am more appaled our faith was labled a terrorist faith int eh Megiddo report, and our faith not recognized legitimately in prisions and teh military for burial recognitions, than I am that I do not get a special month recognized by teh government to honor my folk and faith. In fact, it is already maligned before we start...

That then is at the crux of the issue. Celebrate whatever month you wish, but do not disenfranchaise my folk fromt hat same right, and or throguh the lables of racist or terrorist around so indiscriminately. When other groups can satnd and fight this type of discrimination or unfair treatment standing on the right to advance ones heritage, so should we seek to do so, and so should we have that same right to do so as well...

It is not just advancement, it is survival.

Fairly a common sense issue I would say. If we do not seek to preserve our heritage, folk, and faith, teh mass exodus to other religions and associations we have seen in the past will only escalate. The fact we are seeing this great awakening is due to groups like the Odinic Rite and AFA being advocates and standing for our folk and faith. We owe it to ourselves and our children to do the same.

Again the words of wisdom I read here make me thank Odin again for leading me here.

Hail Odin!!!

Great posts Beowolf & Ravenwolf I know I am among brothers. I too would rather the government recognize our brothers in the military or behind bars with the burial and religious freedoms, but we still deserve the recognition the same as the other racises.