"Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel:
You will fare well if you follow it,
It will help you much if you heed it.
If aware that another is wicked, say so:
Make no truce or treaty with foes."
- Hávamál, 127
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Heathenry Must Not Be Defined By Racists
It is important to the Asatru, Heathen, and Pagan communities that we and the general public alike, understand that racism, nazism, white-supremacy, and the propagation of hate have nothing to do with Asatru, Othinism, or any of the pre-Christian religions in practice today(or during the "golden-era" when our pre-Christian ancestors walked the lands of Europe.)
There are certain neo-nazi groups and white supremacists who call themselves "Heathens." These groups have appropriated and misused our sacred symbols and the names of our Gods in order to promote their "religio-political" views of hatred, racism, and fascism by distorting the fact that Asatru, Heathenry, or Othinism (Odinism), is the ancestrally ethnic religion of the peoples descended from Europe. The truth is that while Heathenism is a modern revival of the religion of our European ancestors, it has never,in any way, promoted nor encouraged hatred toward other ethnic or religious groups. Absolutely none of our sacred lore contains a mandate from our Gods to promote hatred toward other cultures, ethnic groups, or religions.
Heathen Symbols & Gods: Not For Other Religions
It should be said that in general, Heathens are also in opposition to the misrepresentation of our Gods by other religious groups. These names are specifically tied to our lore, thereby creating ownership by those who use the lore as a reference for their daily life or spiritual practice. Since these names are only found in our lore and cultural tradition of the land in which our Gods were so named, it is only logical to associate these Gods with the corresponding lore and religion for which they are worshiped. If we were Christians, the use of the name Jesus in a way that misrepresents him, based on Christian lore, is entirely inappropriate. This is not a game, nor a fantasy. We Heathens are devout in the belief in our Gods, based in our lore and tradition; both of which are a document, or documented to exist within a specific paradigm pertaining to Asatru or other names by which our faith is called.
(Examples: The Mjolnir, The Sun Wheel, The Runes, The Swastika)
Racists Claiming To Be Heathens: Read The Lore!
It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that a lot of these groups that say they are Heathens, but promote hatred and racism, are very vocal. It takes a lot of work to maintain the false message that these groups spew.
Othin says in the Hávamál that,
"The ignorant booby had best be silent
When he moves among other men,
No one will know what a nit-wit he is
Until he begins to talk;
No one knows less what a nit-wit he is
Than the man who talks too much."
- Hávamál, 27
"To ask well, to answer rightly,
Are the marks of a wise man:
Men must speak of men's deeds,
What happens may not be hidden."
- Hávamál, 28
It is important that we Heathens know our lore so that we can combat these
"nit-wits" who have to talk loudly and often about their hateful ideologies and methodologies. Alas, it is evident that most of these groups have never read our sacred lore, nor are they interested in learning what real Asatru is, as it would destroy their imposed justification they use to promote hatred and racism. While there isn't a specific text like the Christian Bible, there are many texts (The Eddas, Sagas, Tales, Legends, Mythologies, etc) that Asatruar can use to deepen their knowledge of our traditions. None of our traditions encourage hatred, racsism, bigotry, homophobia, or sexism.
Inter-Religious Hate Must Stop!
Hatred toward Heathens, Asatruar, Othinists, or other forms of Paganism is also wide-spread. Like other groups that promote hate, religion-based hatred is also rooted in fear and lack of knowledge. It is important that we as Heathens take it upon ourselves to respectfully discuss what we do, our goals, our history, and most of all, our devout respect for each other as members of the greater human race (and of course, the greater natural world.) We must honor true diversity in the world. If all else fails, we should simply listen to another passage from the Hávamál where Othin says,
"The wise guest has his way of dealing
With those who taunt him at table:
He smiles through the meal, not seeming to hear
The twaddle talked by his foes."
- Hávamál, 31
From The Original Heathens Against Hate Web Site
"As devoted Heathens we oppose hatred and prejudice based on religious differences, and promote religious freedom, tolerance, respect, and open communication. We strive, through education and by living example, to restore our ancient Old Religion to its rightful place among the world's faiths, and to reveal and refute, whenever possible, misrepresentations and propaganda against our beliefs and our Gods."
- Óðindís, Woden's Harrow 2003
We should add to this, that we Heathens openly oppose hatred and prejudice based on the color of a person's skin, their sexual orientation, marital status, creed, or nationality.
Help Promote Heathen Values!
In an effort to promote healthy, educated, lore-based Heathenry, and to combat the barrage of bad press generated by groups purporting to be Heathens;
Heathens Against Hate is dedicated to enabling YOU to help educate the general public and Heathens alike, that Heathenry, Asatru, Othinism (Odinism), and Paganism do not equal hatred and racism. We invite you go to the HAH CafePress site to purchase official HAH buttons, bumper stickers, and mugs. Please note that all of the profits from the sales of official HAH merchandise are only used to keep the HAH web site on the internet and maintained. In no way does HAH or its members seek financial gain from promoting our faith.
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