Yes I know a few that follow that. I feel it's a littler to much testosterone for me but that's just me. I like my gentler gods and goddesses. I'm more into the Caballah.
dark_hellbent_king,
I had never heard of them before. It doesn't sound like they will get far in the USA. Too violent I think. That would involve lawsuits. Which means money. Lots of money.
I've known of a few Asatruar and have liked and respected them. They follow a re constructionist path and I can relate with that since I follow a Celtic recon path. I like the importance that they put on studying the history, cultures and mythologies of the people who once worshiped their gods. I also respect their life values. For a more in-depth article on Asatru:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/asatru.htm
This article comes from an Asatru site, but the article is generally about all re constructionist paths. There are links at the end for recon paths in Germanic, Egyptian, Celtic, Roman, Greek, etc:
http://www.thetroth.org/memsvc/stewards/flyers/benw/reconflyer.pdf
I had an acquaintance who was a confirmed Neo-Nazi skinhead. I loaned him a book on Norse Mythology, he returned it saying he believed in it all. I asked him if he REALLY thought the world was created, by two ice giants having a big fight, we have to cross some rainbow bridge to get to Valhalla, etc. He could not answer me. I think he must be typical of the confused people seeking self-development, but go for this sort of stuff rather than Scientology, Buddhism, etc. Having come into contact with a few pseudo-religious groups/cults, there is strong evidence they have a higher proportion of drug users, schizophrenics, sex offenders, ex-homeless, etc, than "real" churches, faiths, etc.
Asatru is frequently regarded as one of the Neopagan family of religions. That family includes Wicca, Celtic Druidism, and re-creations of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and other ancient Pagan religions. However, many Asatruers prefer the term "Heathen" to "Neopagan" and look upon their tradition as "not just a branch on the Neopagan tree" but as a separate tree. Unlike Wicca, which has gradually evolved into many different traditions, the reconstruction of Asatru has been based on the surviving historical record. Its followers have maintained it as closely as possible to the original religion of the Norse people.
Asatru or ?satr? is an Icelandic word which is a translation of the Danish word "Asetro." Asetro was "first seen in 1885 in an article in the periodical "Fjallkonan". The next recorded instance was in "Hei?inn si?ur ? ?slandi" ("Heathen traditions in Iceland.") by ?lafur Briem (Reykjav?k, 1945)." It means "belief in the Asir," the Gods. "Asatru" is a combination of "Asa" which is the possessive case of the word ?sir (Aesir) and "Tru" which means belief or religion.
Throughout Scandinavia the religion is called Forn Si?r (which means the Ancient way or tradition), Forn sed (the Old custom), Nordisk sed (Nordic custom), or Hedensk sed (Pagan custom). Other names are:
Norse Heathenism, Germanic Heathenism, the Elder Troth, the Old Way, Asetro, Vor Si r (our way), Forn Si r (Ancient way), Forn sed (the old custom), Nordisk sed (Nordic custom), or Hedensk sed (Pagan custom), Odinism or Folkish ?satr?.
The religion's origin is lost in antiquity. At its peak, it covered all of Northern Europe. Countries gradually converted to Christianity. In 1000 CE, Iceland became the second last Norse culture to convert. Their prime motivation was economic. Sweden was ruled by a Pagan king until 1085 CE.
Icelandic poet Gothi Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson promoted government recognition of Asatru as a legitimate religion; this status was granted in 1972. Since the early 1970's, the religion has been in a period of rapid growth in the former Norse countries, as well as in Europe and North America.
Corruption of Asatru:
It is not unknown for otherwise decent religions to become corrupted by incorporating racist, sexist, anti-semitic, and homophobic beliefs.
Has anyone heard of the Asatru before, what do you think of there beliefs if you know
