WHY ASATRU?
By Stephen A. McNallen
publied  on "The Runestone" AFA's magazine and on the AFA-web site at http://www.runestone.org/afa1..html

For thousands of years our ancestors surged across land and sea in a wave of conquest, trade, and exploration that stirs our imaginations even today. The Vikings took part in this drama, as did the related Germanic tribes on the European continent. We, their descendants - whether Scandinavian, English, German, Dutch, Frankish, or related peoples, can draw upon these mighty forebears for our inspiration today!

The Way We Live

Asatru places high value on human freedom and on individuality. This applies both in worldly and in spiritual matters - we honor our deities, but do not grovel before them. To us, the Gods and Goddesses are models, inspirations, friends; but never are they our masters, or we their slaves. We do not bow before them when we call on them, not do we surrender our human sovereignty to them. We do not beg from them, sacrificing freedom for a handout. It is true that Odin, our high God, is called "All Father," but this does not imply inferiority or submissiveness on our part. Among the Norse peoples and in Germanic societies generally, defiance and strength of will were considered favorable traits in children, for they indicated a capacity for self-responsibility and independence. So it is between us and our Gods.

The family is one of the pillars of Asatru. Our people have always been devoted to their family, clan, and tribe. Far from being outmoded, these organic social forms are more important than ever in today's rootless world. This is not mere sentiment; it is a guarantee of liberty. Where the family and its natural extensions are functioning properly, the power of competing entities, such as the State, will be limited. Where they are non-existent or crippled, all power gravitates to the State by default, and freedom dies.

We believe in the worth and effectiveness of human action. By heroic deeds you can take your life in your hands and be the master of your soul. You are not the pawn of historical forces, condemned to whine about being born into "a world you never made." You can make your own luck!

Courage is one of our more prominent values - the courage to face an enemy in battle, to risk all to do what is right, and to be uncompromising with ourselves. Freedom, family, and tribe would disappear without courage; only the brave can meet their responsibilities to kin...and to themselves.

All these values are under assault today. Intrusive governments, transnational corporations, and religious slavemasters would pull down the free ways of our ancestors and replace them with a combination of the sheep flock and the anthill; our only function would be to produce, consume, and obey. But it doesn't have to be that way. There is a way of freedom and boldness - Asatru! Now more than ever, we need a return to our natural faith, the religion of our ancestors.

The World Beyond

What do Asatruar believe about the supernatural, an afterlife, and the usual religious concerns? We are supported by modern physics and by parapsychology when we state that there are other worlds of being than our own, and our Gods live, as surely as you or I.

We honor a number of deities, each concerned with a different aspect of the universe. Odin is Father of the Gods, God of wisdom and poetry and magic. Thor is the stalwart friend of the freeholder, the warrior and toiler. Frey governs growth, joy, and prosperity. Balder epitomizes courage tempered with goodness.

But a religion without a Goddess is halfway to atheism! Frigga is the wife of Odin and mother of the Gods. Freya is the beautiful life-giver, the eternal feminine. Nerthus is our beloved Mother Earth, whom we seek to heal of her wounds.

The Germanic concept of an afterlife is complex, and a few sentences cannot do it justice. To simplify: Those who live worthy lives go to the bright realm of the Gods, Asgard, after death. Evildoers and oath breakers are sent to a place of gloom, cold and fog. Between these two extremes lie the lot of most ordinary folk, who await rebirth within the family line. This idea of returning to the clan, the weaving of lives with one's kinfolk, is central to our worldview.

Living Asatru

Tragically, the forced conversion of the Germanic peoples to Christianity destroyed much of our ancient religious beliefs and practices. What survived, however, was sufficient to ensure that the spiritual essence of Asatru would be available to modern folk. For those who possess the necessary courage, devotion and will, direct contact with the spiritual forces inherent in Asatru is possible. For others, a genuine but lesser degree of contact with these wellsprings of vision and power is possible.

Our faith is practiced in numerous ways. We celebrate several major seasonal festivals with holy rites and with feasting. There are other special days in which we honor the Gods and Goddess, or remember the great heroes now gone on the Other World. Some of us must practice alone, but where possible we form local groups, or "kindreds," to perform our rituals and to promoted fellowship among our brothers and sisters. The entire system is designed to maximize those values of freedom and self-reliance that we hold so dear.

However, our religion is a matter of everyday life. We try to incorporate it into everything we do. Every time we display courage, speak out against tyranny and bureaucracy, are hospitable to guests, or help preserve the environment, we are performing a religious act. Loyalty and brotherhood among members is recognized as a supreme virtue. We strive always to mold our characters so as to be worthy of our kin and our Gods.

The preservation of our ancestral heritage demands a return to our native religion. We cannot offer you a life of security and ease, but we provide a chance to grow in courage, strength, and freedom while enjoying the fellowship of likeminded folk. If this strikes a responsive chord in your soul - join us in the freedom and adventure of Asatru!