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'''Ásatrú''' (Icelandic for "Æsir faith", pronounced , in Old Norse ) is a polytheistic reconstructionism movement whose focus is reviving the Norse paganism of the Viking Age - as described in the Eddas - prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia.
Ásatrú was established in the 1960s and early 1970s in Iceland, by the ''Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið'', an organization founded by Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson. Ásatrú is a religion officially recognized by the governments of Iceland (since 1973), Norway (since 1994), Denmark (since 2003), Sweden (since 2007) and Spain (since 2007). The United States government does not officially endorse or recognize any religious group, but numerous Ásatrú groups have been granted nonprofit religious status going back to the 1970s.

Contents

Terminology

History

Beliefs & organization

Goðar

Kindred

Politics and controversies

Discrimination charges

See also

Notes

External links

Organizations

Neutral descriptions

Multi-media /Podcasts

Terminology

''Ásatrú'' is an Icelandic (and equivalently Old Norse) term consisting of two parts. The first is ''Ása-'', genitive of ''Áss'', denoting one of the group of Norse pagan gods called Æsir^[1]. The second part, ''trú'', means "faith, word of honour; religious faith, belief"^[2] (archaic English '' "loyalty, honesty, good faith"). Thus, ''Ásatrú'' means "belief / faith in the Æsir / gods".
The term is the Old Norse/Icelandic translation of ''Asetro'', a neologism coined in the context of 19th century romantic nationalism, used by Edvard Grieg in his 1870 opera ''Olaf Trygvason''. The use of the term ''Ásatrú'' for Germanic paganism preceding 19th century revivalist movements is therefore an anachronism.
''Ásatrúarmaður'' (plural ''Ásatrúarmenn''), the term used to identify those who practice Ásatrú is a compound with ''maður'' (Old Norse ''maðr'') "man"^[3] In English usage, the genitive ''Asatruar'' "of Aesir faith" is often used on its own to denote adherents (both singular and plural).
While the term ''Ásatrú'' as introduced in the 1970s referred specifically to the Icelandic adherents of the religion, Germanic neopagan and reconstructionist groups widely identify themselves as Ásatrú. In this wider sense, the term ''Ásatrú'' is used somewhat synonymously with Germanic neopaganism or Germanic paganism, along with the terms Forn Sed, Odinism, Heithni, Heathenry and others.

History

Ásatrú originated as a second (or third) revival of Germanic paganism in the 1960s and early 1970s. The ''Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið'' was founded on summer solstice, 1972, and was recognized as an official religion by the Icelandic government in 1973, largely due to the efforts of Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson. Around this time, Stephen McNallen, a former U.S. Army Airborne Ranger, began publishing a newsletter titled ''The Runestone'' independently of the ''Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið'' in the United States. He also formed an organization called the ''Ásatrú Free Assembly'', which was later renamed the Ásatrú Folk Assembly which is still extant. Else Christensen's ''Odinism'', which is sometimes identified with the term ''Ásatrú'', originated around the same period. An offshoot of McNallen's group is the ''Ásatrú Alliance'', headed by Valgard Murray, publisher of the "Vor Tru" newsletter. The ''Ásatrú Alliance'' held its 25th annual "Althing" gathering in 2005. AlThing 25 Report
There is another Norse neopagan group called 'Vanatrú', who focus on the worship of the Vanir rather than the Æsir. ^[4]
The Icelandic government has recognized the ''Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið'' as an official religion shortly after its inception. Other Scandinavian governments have begun to recognize Germanic neopagan organizations as religious communities with official status from the 1990s (Sweden: ''Sveriges asatrosamfund'' 1994; Norway: ''Åsatrufellesskapet Bifrost'' 1996; ''Foreningen Forn Sed'' 1999; Denmark: ''Forn Siðr'', formed in 1999, recognized in 2003^[5]).Spain: in June 2007 Spanish government has recognized Asatru, ''Comunidad Odinista de España-Asatru''

Beliefs & organization

The core belief of the Ásatrú is the worship of the Norse gods as living, real, super-human entities. Such worship is done in both private and public. The Ásatrú believe the Norse gods can (and do) wield power in the world today. Some Ásatrú believe that certain runes can channel the power of the gods, controlled, to a degree, by the rune carver.
The main gods which are worshiped are

★ Thor - slayer of giants, protector of humanity. Thor's hammer is the most common symbol of the Ásatrú.

★ Odin - master of magic, poetry, as well as chaos and death.

★ Tyr - a god of justice, order, and war.

★ Freyr - a god of fertility and good fortune.
A few Ásatrú also worship Loki, although others within the movement oppose worshiping a god who is dedicated to the destruction of the Earth.
A major event for the Ásatrú is a Blót (usually held in the fall and again around the December solstice). Historically the Blót was a yearly gathering when many animals (and in some places, men) were sacrificed to the gods. The animals were cooked in large pots and then eaten by the whole community. Modern blots are gatherings where much food is cooked and much beer (or ale or mead) is drank while the gods are praised and their aid is (sometimes) requested.

Goðar

A 'Goði' or 'Gothi' (plural 'goðar') is the historical Old Norse term for a priest and chieftain in Norse paganism. 'Gyðja' signifies a priestess. Goði literally means ''"speaker for the gods"'', and is used to denote the priesthood or those who officiate over rituals in Ásatrú. Several groups, most notably the Troth have organized clergy programs[4]. However, there is no universal standard for the Goðar amongst organization, and the title is usually only significant to the particular group with whom they work. The Role of the Gothar in the Asatru Community

Kindred

A 'Kindred' is a local worship group in Ásatrú. Other terms used are garth, stead, ''sippe'', ''skeppslag'' and others. Kindreds are usually grassroots groups which may or may not be affiliated with a national organization like the ''Ásatrú Folk Assembly'', the ''Ásatrú Alliance'', or the ''Troth''. Kindreds are composed of hearths or families as well as individuals, and the members of a Kindred may be related by blood or marriage, or may be unrelated. The kindred often functions as a combination of extended family and religious group. Membership is managed by the assent of the group.^[6]
Kindreds usually have a recognized Goði to lead religious rites, while some other kindreds function more like modern corporations. Although these Goði need only be recognized by the kindred itself and may not have any standing with any other Kindred.

Politics and controversies

Ásatrú organizations have memberships which span the entire political and spiritual spectrum. Many adherents are solitary practitioners who practice their religion alone with their family or a small local community, and are not involved with organized ''Ásatrú''. Despite the wide divergence of beliefs and politics, the sole common denominator amongst adherents of ''Ásatrú'' is the goal of reconstructing and practicing the historical pre-Christian religion of the Eddas.
While Ásatrú is generally a tolerant religion, it is sometimes erroneously identified with neo-Nazi and "white power" organizations which also use the same symbolism.^[7] The three largest American ''Ásatrú'' organizations have specifically denounced any association with racist groups.^[8][9][10] Despite these official public-facing positions, many of the larger organizations do harbor a racist element, and racist members of these groups create difficult internal political situations for non-racists to the degree that most non-racists end up preferring smaller groups of trusted kindred members or solitary family practice. The dividing issue is whether a person is "Folkish", meaning that an emphasis on ancestry and ancestor worship is a part of their belief system which can eclipse actual worship of the Gods. Many neonazis use the "Folkish" belief system as an excuse to incorporate racism into the belief system. "Folkish" people and groups will exclude or discriminate against non-Folkish practitioners, who are often labelled "Universalists". For example, the Ring of Troth will not grant clergy status to anyone who has not written a statement formally accepting the Folkish belief system, due to the large number of Folkish practitioners who hold power in that organization. Practitioners who do not adopt those beliefs are also harassed, frequently until they leave the clergy program and/or the group proper. The Asatru Folk Assembly lists "Ancestry is better than universalism" as one of the Nine Noble Virtues. A similar concept which can also sometimes be abused is "Tribalism", an emphasis on the group over the individual.
There is nevertheless a significant number of self-described adherents of Ásatrú or Odinism who hold racist or white power ideologies. Odinism is particularly suspect because these practitioners emphasize the worship of Odin over the other Aesir and Vanir. Their worship often emphasizes the violent war and death aspects of the deity which appeal to white supremacists. Mattias Gardell in 2001 estimated that

The racist position has grown tremendously fast in the last four or five years. The militant racists today probably make up between 40% and 50% of Odinists and Ásatrúers. And I would say the anti-racist position makes up another 30%. And the remainder goes to the ethnics.[8]

Some Finnish neopagans consider Ásatrú a part of their faith, while others think it is foreign. Those who make a distinction between Ásatrú and Finnish neopaganism think Ásatrú is based too much on beliefs of neighbouring countries and not on their own local traditions. Some even see Ásatrú as a kind of cultural imperialism.

Discrimination charges

Main articles: Religious discrimination against Neopagans

Inmates of the "Intensive Management Unit" at Washington State Penitentiary who are adherents of Ásatrú in 2001 were deprived of their Thor's Hammer medallions.^[11]
In 2007, a federal judge confirmed that Ásatrú adherents in US prisons have the right to possess a Thor’s Hammer pendant. An inmate sued the Virginia Department of Corrections after he was denied it while members of other religions were allowed their medallions.^[12]
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs does not list any Ásatrú symbols as available emblems of belief for placement on government headstones and markers.^[13] According to federal guidelines, only approved religious symbols — of which there are 38 — can be placed on government headstones or memorial plaques. Ásatrú Folk Assembly have demanded such a symbol.^[14]
In the Georgacarakos v. Watts case Peter N. Georgacarakos filed a pro se civil-rights complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado against 19 prison officials for "interference with the free exercise of his Ásatrú religion" and "discrimination on the basis of his being Ásatrú".^[15]

See also

★ Germanic neopaganism

★ Polytheistic reconstructionism

★ Nine Noble Virtues

★ Finnish Paganism

★ Religious discrimination against Asatru

Notes

1. >Zoega (1910): "one of the old heathen gods in general, or especially one of the older branch, in opposition to the younger ones (the Vanir)"[1]
2. Zoega (1910)[2]
3. irrespective of sex[3], see Mannaz.
4. http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/bldefvanatru.htm
5. Forklaring til Forn Siðr´s ansøgning om godkendelse som trossamfund.
6. The Asatru Kindred
7. Gods of the Blood: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism, , Matthias, Gardell, Duke University Press, 2003, ISBN 0822330717
8. 'From the ''Asatru Alliance's'' Bylaws:' "The Alliance is apolitical; it is not a front for, nor shall it promote any political views of the 'Right' or 'Left'. Our Sacred temples, groves and Moots shall remain free of any political manifestations." [5]
9. 'From the ''Ásatrú Folk Assembly's'' Bylaws:' "The belief that spirituality and ancestral heritage are related has nothing to do with notions of superiority. Ásatrú is not an excuse to look down on, much less to hate, members of any other race. On the contrary, we recognize the uniqueness and the value of all the different pieces that make up the human mosaic." [6]
10. 'From ''The Troth's'' Bylaws:' "Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation shall not be practiced by the Troth or any affiliated group, whether in membership decisions or in conducting any of its activities." [7]
11. Walla Walla's Suppression of Religious Freedom
12. First Amendment Center: Va. inmate can challenge denial of Thor's Hammer
13. Available Emblems of Belief for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers - Department of Veterans Affairs
14. Asatru Update: AFA Calls For Approval of Thor's Hammer for Veterans' Headstones
15. Georgacarakos v. Watts

External links

Organizations

;Canada

★ The Canadian Ásatrú Portal
;Denmark

★ Asetrofællesskabet

★ Forn Sidr
;Flanders / Vlaanderen

★ Werkgroep Hagal

★ Asatrú-Werkgroep Traditie
;Germany

★ Verein für germanisches Heidentum

★ Eldaring

★ Nornirs Ætt
;Iceland

★ Ásatrúarfélagið
;Netherlands

★ Het Rad

★ Odinic Rite Netherlands
;New Zealand

★ New Zealand Ásatrú Fellowship
;North America

★ Ásatrú Alliance

★ Ásatrú Folk Assembly

★ Galdragildi

★ The Troth
;Northern Italy

★ Comunità Odinista
;Norway

★ Foreningen Forn Sed

★ Åsatrufellesskapet Bifrost
;Sweden

★ Nätverket Forn Sed

★ Sveriges Asatrosamfund
;Spain

★ Gotland Forn Sed

Neutral descriptions

★ Ásatrú (Germanic Paganism) - ReligionFacts

Multi-media /Podcasts

★ Nine Worlds Radio

★ Odin Lives Radio

★ Ravencast Podcast

★ Spoken Lore Podcast