Asatru Beliefs
What are the basic beliefs of the Asatruar? They worship the Norse gods and ancestor gods. Resurrected in pre-Christian Scandinavia in the 1970s, Asatru has branched out to other countries. In Iceland, an Asatru group broke ground for a circular hof in February. The list of beliefs varies with each culture, but these general principles are often shared by Asatruar.
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Courage
The Asatru list of beliefs about courage includes both moral and physical courage. Moral courage does not always mean running into battle; it can also mean standing up for what you believe is right and just. Many Heathens feel that it takes a great deal of courage to practice the Nine Noble Virtues, and this is especially true in places where there is a high degree of religious conservatism. However, in some cases, living your beliefs is just as courageous as rushing into battle.
In addition to honor, the Asatru list of beliefs about courage includes freedom, independence, liberty, and individuality. These values are all important to Asatru, and they all stem from a core moral philosophy of honor and responsibility. Asatruers also have a religious ceremony called Blot, which honors these virtues. The Blot is usually held on the nearest weekend. The Blot represents a way for Asatruers to honor the virtues that they practice.
Among the Nine Noble Virtues, courage is considered one of the most important. The list of nine virtues is based on the Nine Noble Virtues, which are situational ethical guidelines that can be used by Asatru and Odinists. The Asatru list of beliefs about courage differs from the list on the Odinic Rite website. The Asatru Folk Assembly’s official list includes these nine virtues.
Truth
The Asatru religion is not explicitly racist, but the loose doctrines allow it to be bent to the will of neo-Nazis. Indeed, the religion’s links to the Third Reich are significant. Although the larger Asatru groups nominally repudiate racism, they are frequently dominated by large numbers of racists. In fact, many Asatru organizations serve as a neo-Nazi meeting ground.
Heathenry and Asatru are not dogmatic religions, so each local community sets the boundaries of their own practices. Individuals may experience direct experiences with the gods and may even swear sacred oaths. The list of beliefs in Asatru includes five unique halls of the afterlife based on Norse mythology. The first hall, Valhalla, is the hall of heroes, and half of the Viking warriors are said to enter Valhalla after dying in battle. Here, warriors meet their old friends and prepare for the final battle with the gods. Another hall, Hel, is the realm of the dead, which is not quite the same as the Hel of Christian beliefs, and it isn’t a punishment, but rather a place of eternal life.
Similarly, the Asatru’s list of beliefs includes self-discipline and fidelity. These are a must in Asatru life, and the Asatru’s moral rationale is based on honor. The Asatru list of beliefs is extensive, but the most important thing is to stay loyal to the Gods and to your kin. If you want to live a happy life in the world of Asatru, then you must be self-disciplined.
Honor
In Asatru, honor means more than just reputation. It is an internal force that manifests itself in reputation, but it is also an essential moral compass. It is the commitment to live by standards that earn respect in return. In other words, honor is living by principles that reflect your beliefs, and honoring others by doing the same. It is a feeling that you’re doing the right thing.
The Asatru Folk Assembly, a group in the United States, has been a target of Neo-Nazis and white supremacists for decades, despite the fact that it is not a Jewish religion. Neo-Nazis used Norse symbolism in their propaganda and placed Nordic people at the top of the racial hierarchy. However, a significant portion of the Asatru community has remained nonviolent, and has even taken a folkish stance, restricting the worship of gods to the ancestors.
In the Asatru list of beliefs, ancestors are given a special place in the lives of those who follow Odin, Thor, Frigga, and Loki. The gods will reward those who live virtuously in the afterlife. They reward good deeds by granting them blessings, and their followers are believed to be “co-workers” with the gods. The gods are believed to be inside each person, and they live within them.
Industriousness
Industriousness is one of the most fundamental values in Asatru. It means putting in the necessary effort to reach your goals. It is also about living life to the fullest, as the Vikings did. Modern Asatruars should follow this same attitude in all their activities. It is through intelligent work that we can grow and learn. This virtue is closely related to honor.
Asatru is a living religion, practiced by an increasing number of people around the world. Although it may share superficial similarities with other religions, it is not one of them. Regardless, it has a unique set of values and beliefs. Here’s a brief look at some of its most fundamental beliefs about industriousness. Asatru promotes individuality and the development of the faculties of the individual. The group also values honor, loyalty, courage, and truthfulness.
Self-reliance
In the Asatru religion, self-reliance is a core value. Being self-reliant means taking responsibility for one’s life and not being dependent on others. It doesn’t mean refusing social assistance or lobbying for tax exemption. Nor does it mean that one should blame one’s failures on others or on an unfair system. Though these are important beliefs, Asatru also stresses that being self-reliant does not mean being lazy or giving up on your dreams.
While Asatru is an ethnic religion, it is far from a racial-supremacist movement. Some Asatru groups have tried to use it as a cover for political propaganda. However, the vast majority of Asatru organizations are religious and do not wish to be used for political propaganda. To understand the culture of Asatru, first understand its history and how it shaped the beliefs of the people.
According to Asatru beliefs, the dead are escorted to Valhalla by the goddess Freyja. The dead are reborn in the body of a newborn within the same family line. In Asatru mythology, all those who have committed crimes will go to Hifhel, where they will remain for eternity. Asatru are strongly against the use of weapons in war, and they believe that self-reliance is essential to survival.
Perseverance
The list of Asatru’s beliefs about perseverance is long, and the individual’s success is often tied to his or her perseverance. Asatru believes that perseverance is essential to approaching the gods, so the list of beliefs on perseverance is extensive. The list includes such things as the need to have honor and a good reputation, being patient and determined, and being courageous. Ultimately, these beliefs are meant to guide the individual to the gods of Asatru, and they are all important, regardless of the culture of the people they represent.
Asatru is a living religion with a diverse list of beliefs. Although it is not affiliated with any other religion, its followers come from post-modern times, and as such, Asatru tends to be reconstruction-oriented and non-fundamentalist. As a result, its list of beliefs about perseverance may be quite different than that of other religions. Asatru is a living religion, and its adherents are growing around the world.
Historically, Odinism has been openly racist. Asatru was a more moderate approach that originated in Scandinavian and Norse societies. The name Asatru translates as “followers of the Aesir.” This is a reference to the gods of Heathenry, the main pantheon of the Germanic culture. Although this list of beliefs does not claim to be historically accurate, it may offer some insights.
Discipline
Asatru beliefs stress personal responsibility. Asatru does not accept concepts of sin, atonement, or penance. Wrong behavior has its own consequences, which are directly reflected in the world. Asatru also does not accept the concept of original sin, which is a key belief of Christianity. According to Christianity, all humans are born with an inherent bad nature and must be cleansed of this in order to enjoy happiness.
The discipline of Asatru beliefs has many facets. Asatru members do not view their religion as a universal religion, but rather as a reconstruction of European Paganism. Asatru adherents practice the Ethic of Reciprocity, but in a negative manner. The religion also emphasizes the idea that individual gods have great halls. While a belief in individual gods may not be universal, Asatru members believe in the existence of many gods.
In addition to the belief in the existence of gods, Asatru people practice self-reliance. Asatruers believe in the importance of doing right and honoring their ancestors and a set of nine noble virtues. The nine virtues are culled from the Sagas and Eddas and include Courage, Truth, Fidelity, Hospitality, Industiousness, Self-reliance, and Perseverance.
