I know that on the whole, Asatru is not an outwardly racist religion, however, I've been speaking to a few heathens on the Internet and most of them seem to have the ideology that Asatru is for people of European descent only, is this true? I understand why that would be an important factor since Asatru is very much focused on honoring our ancestors, however, I don't see why it would matter if someone was from another race as far as honoring the gods goes, why would they care what race someone was from?
I know that not all Asatruar have the same beliefs about this particular subject, however, generally, are people of other races welcome to join Asatru? Even though I'm English, I'm very strongly opposed to racism and wouldn't really want to be involved with people that share racist views.
No, one doesn't need to be of European descent to practice Asatru [though many people are attracted to the religion due to ancestry] and most Asatruars [unless you hang out on some of the seedier parts of the Internet] are anti-racist.
I sincerely doubt the Gods care what race you are.
what you speak in true in some areas with some people. you may ask when you visit that site if there are any that allow other races, or recognize them, if not, you sound as though you would take the appropriate action.
as it where in that time, the Nordic people had no blacks or very little blacks by geographical location and if so that worshiped gods. But there are blacks who say that they are of the Norse religion. I served with one when I was enlisted.
If you cannot find what you seek, just know that racism hurts and does not help anyone, and this religion serves idol gods and false gods, which is spiritually dead. those who follow, practice and are racist have set their course, you are still in charge of yours.
answer: as a former Heathen Thia, I can speak from some experience. It does exist in Asatru more than in most other pagan religions. Most Asatru/Heathens do believe that one should seek out ones ethnic roots before exploring others but MANY Asatruar/Heathens don't believe that means only "whites" or those of Northern European descent are called to Heathenism.
That's a soft Folkish view
Hardcore are those who believe that ONLY Northern Europeans or descendants are called to Heathenism, some of them crossing the line into racism. "Strong Folkish", "hardcore Folkish", "strict Folkish" are some buzz words that mean they do believe only Northern Europeans are called by the gods.
Some organizations are known for a long history of racism/sexism/homophobia/and intolerance to disabled Heathens - the AFA being one. There are those that claim the AFA has mellowed. I know several of the members, I don't see a lot of mellowing, I see a lot more caution in revealing their racist views to the outside.
There are some groups that are outright racists, the members being Neo-Nazis. They take and pervert Heathen symbols and hide behind Heathenism.
When talking with other Heathens, ask if they are Universalists (who sometimes border on Wicca-Tru - shudder!), Tribalist or soft or hard Folkish. Ask if they accept that non-"white" people or gays/lesbians can be called by the gods. That's often a measuring stick, my friend.
Well look you've got different types here. You've got the types that say like any religion any person can join (go ogle Heathens Against Hate) and then you've got people that say its for Europeans only (and specifically Northerners).
The way I see it is that it would just be weird and wouldn't really fit for a non-Northern European to be into it since it has nothing to do with them. It was all about Northern Europe. And the ancestor worship is important so... its sorta dumb for a non-European to go worship European ancestors. There was no efforts to go into the farthest reaches of the world to spread it like with Christianity, Islam, etc either so its not like a religion that sought to have everyone be apart of it.
Personally I can't really understand why a non-white would be into it. It just would seem silly to me because its a pagan religion right? And pagan religions, there's thousands, and they all have their differences. Every ethnicity had a pagan religion before Christianity and Islam spread all over. So its silly for an African to go be apart of a North European pagan movement when Africa had its own form of paganism movements. Same goes vice verse of course.
I'm not gonna say to this hypothetical African, hey you can't worship Odin, but I would be a little bit like "WTF???"
Thor is friend to all men not just northern European men and Odin wanders the world not just Scandinavia. the mass majority of Heathens are anti racist most who claim to be Heathen and are racist know neither lore or virtues
Seems to be 5 groups of heathen opinion on race in religion.
1. Heathens who do not care.(most common)
2. Heathens who think the gods are universal but think you would be insulting your own ancestors by honoring Northern Europeans above them. Lets say you are African this opinion holds that you can worship the Aesir and Vanir all you want but you would be insulting your own ancestors by paying more attention to the standard Europeans than heroes of African culture.(my own view)
3. Folkish types who are either mildly racist or concerned with a concept of a "global mono-culture" they tend to hold the opinion of following your ancestors above reason or faith.(these types can be tricky they seem to be second most common)
4. Outright racists they may believe in the gods or may just use the heathen culture as a moral justification for hatred they tend to go by Volkish, Wotanist or Odinist in the states but Odinism isn't a hot word from what I understand in Europe.(best to avoid them)
5. Wiccans/Pagans/Eclectic Pagans/Wiccatru who don't know when to shut up they are generally harmless and not racist however they can be quite annoying.
Do not mistake our general hostility to everyone as a sign that we will not welcome different races we tend to size people up to see if they are actually serious about the religion or just playing some childish (usually Wiccan) game.
all i can really do is mimic Wolfgang on this one and add in we can all be traced back to a couple of females in Africa so the whole racism ordeal makes no sense at all to me.
Regarding Asatru and racism?
