I probably first got into it in my Age of Mythology computer game. It was really interesting, and I wanted to learn more, so I did.

Awesome

My brother used to have that game I think

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

I have a feeling people are starting to become more nationalistic, and turning back to their pasts these days. It may just be me, but the world is becoming more liberal, and thus how such a phenomenon could happen. Liberalism is, I think, the 'true' nature-it has no rules; it's wild. Thank the forces that may be!

Now, me. I was first introduced to Viking culture in the 4th grade (part of Social Studies; I was 9-10). It thrust itself in my heart and my mind, and to this day has only grown. Or was it there already, but learning it only awakened it? Hmm? We past on quickly to the Anglo-Saxons, and then on to the Medieval Age proper. We learned Norse runes (oh I was so excited!), but barely any of the Norse faith (might have mentioned Thor or Odin *shrugs*)-the school was new, just opened that year, and we voted to have the school mascot a Viking! Imagine, a Catholic school with a heathen mascot!! It became the Hurricanes, feh. Grade 5 and 6 go by (in the 6th grade we went to the Royal Ontario Museum-saw some more on Norse culture there). Grade 7. After reading Two Against the North, by Farley Mowat, which finds two young men lost in the barrens who find a Viking burial in the North of Canada, Norse culture was re-opened to me! Then the Hobbit came to me! Then the LotR! Grade 8/9 (me being 13-14) saw me learning Norse culture and faith wherever, whenever I could. Here I am today, going into grade 11, and the Northern Realm is a piece of my heart

Do I adhere to Asatruism, or "Odinism"? No, er, not quite. I do not adhere to any faith, in theory. I adhere to my own philosophies, which take on the forms of paganistic values and Gods! Mostly pagan. Why? Because they are not, or were not, institutionalized, they were free, open, changing with the dialects and languages of each individual tribe. It was wild. Much like a wild-card can apply to, or can be, anything-so too, then, can my philosophies be painted with a pagan mural! I feel that even Asatru is now becoming institutionalized, and organized. I am not bound to a religion that exists as an entity. I am wierd like that-don't look at me! But I'm not an atheist, who believes in nothing-atheists contradict themselves. Why not believe in something, whether or not it's true? It's a win win situation. So I go pagan (I say that for I revere Slav and Norse myths)! Hail Perun, Hail Odin! Do I make sense?

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"Fight Tonight For Metal One And All".
http://www.arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7521

Asatru is institutionalized? Hmm I have to disagree with you there. I still no many many Pagans still have no clue what Asatru is and what it entails.
Asatru is perhaps the most rugged, wild and free Pagan belief you can find.
But then, this is coming from an Asatruar, so you could say I'm being biased.

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Scratch what I said about it becoming institutionalized. All I meant to say is that I don't label myself as Asatru - however, it is recognized in Denmark, Norway, and Iceland as an official religion, this is the first step to becoming organized. Somedays I will thank Odin, another Perun. Nor do I follow any pre-determined rituals or ceremonies (pre-determined[like going to mass], I say, if any. Folk-rituals and ceremonies of course! They give us our identity![For me it'd be Slav-hehe, my father's name is Slavko, unlike my generations, and my, Christian name...*mutters*]). But I do uphold the values of our pagan ancestors - our world would be much better, and simpler, with them (no need for courts, lawyers, etc.)

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"Fight Tonight For Metal One And All".
http://www.arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7521

I understand what you're saying, and I'm not on some recruitment drive lol Just putting my own perspective on things is all.

It should be recognised as an Official religion. It's a step forward into making Paganism recognised as a good thing and not some shameful dark secret some Pagans are forced into making there faith. To stop the ignorance and intolerance that is thrown our way.

Most folk rituals/celebrations come directly from the Pagan faiths of old. I too don't always adhere to the blots and sumbels that are part of Asatru. But that's my own choice, it's difficult for me to get my own time with a 2 year old scooting about my feet. I honour the Aesir and the Vanir in my own way. By living my life the best way I can and trying to incorporate as many of the Nine Noble Virtues as I can. I meditate and more recently have been delving into the Shamanistic side of Asatru.
My Asatru path is a constant evolution, I try to meet each challenge with courage and honour.

One thing I have been thinking about lately though. What would a Pagan have to do when swearing an Oath in a court of law?
They cannot honestly swear on the Bible and in God's name, when they do no abide by those rules. So...what do you have to do as a Pagan?

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Sorry to interrupt again. I just wanted to comment on Phoenix's thoughts on what to swear on in court.
Religion doesn't play the same crucial role as it did back then when it was unthinkable that someone would dare giving a false testimony on the Bible. I grew up in a Christian society and culture, however, I don't consider myself a Christian (or Pagan or Asatru for that matter), but I do honour our laws and court, so if I was ever to swear an oath in court, I would probably see it as way of paying respect of that institution.
The same question goes for Muslims, Buddhists and other religions... I think it's very individual.

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But wouldn't that be false testament?
Swearing an oath on something you don't believe in or follow.
I can't speak for anyone else. But personally there's no way I could in all good conscience(sp) swear an oath to something I do not follow.

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Well, I see what you mean, but I don't see it as an oath.. or if I do, I don't see it applying to me. More as a ritual or a tradition as I mentioned in my previous post. Then you may ask what is the meaning of having a ritual that actually is meaningless to a lot of people. If people don't fear they will go to hell if they swear false, then why have them swear? Again I think it's tradition, like when all rise when the judge enters the room and so on.
In Muslim countries they swear on the Quran, but I don't know what a Pagan would swear on. That was your original question, right?
What would you swear on, if I may ask?

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I think you can swear without religious interference in court. I've seen people put their hands on their heart and just swear to tell the truth.

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

"I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth..so help me All-Father"


Sorry..back to serious mode.

Asatruars don't have a religious book like the Bible or the Quran, so I wouldn't have anything to replace it if a book was a necessity.

I didn't know about the whole hand on heart thing. I like that idea a lot better.

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I've also seen people just put their hand up in the air and swear. It depends on where you live of course, but I hardly think there is any religion involved with taking the oath in court here in Sweden at all.

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

I suppose it should be recognized as a religion, but let's not go crazy and proclaim it the One Faith to Rule Them All! (we've seen that done... ) I suppose I could take some time and create a system of worship-Tuesday for Tyr, Wednesday for (W)Oden, Thursday for Thor and Friday for Frigg! But it's because of this type of direct worship that I slipped from Christianity-you can worship the Gods all you want in the afterlife. A simple prayer or thanks, and/or shrine I deem enough. But meditation seems fine (I am actually looking down that road). No blots for me! I like my life, and if the Gods wish to take it for their purposes, let them-I will not give it willingly. The virtues and values as laid out by Odin in the Havamal, though, I abide by as best I can, hence why I said to live by them the world would be a much better place.

Speaking of which, one of the nine charges alludes to how sacred an oath is once it is vowed. So to break one, one would suffer dire consequences. So a Pagan needs no written "Pagan Bible" (frankly it does not need one, nor should get one)-for he who breaks an oath shall feel the wrath of the Gods, if not in this life, the next. So profess your faith before the court, and say this-thut under your Gods you will not lie. *shrugs* Though I suppose one would have to honour the systems in another country, so that they know that under their God/s you will not lie.

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"Fight Tonight For Metal One And All".
http://www.arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7521

When I asked what you would swear on... I think I also meant what would you swear by... as in what is sacred to you. Perhaps... sometimes I even confuse myself... Also I like what Eru said on swearing with your hand placed over the heart.
*looks around* Doesn't anyone study law here...? I think some people refuses to take any oath and then they will just have to proceed with the trial anyway.

[Eru, did you get a new banner and avi? Your Asatru banner is very pretty, although I can't fully dechipher the text ]

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Eä: I'll answer your question first. If I were to swear an oath it would be to the All-Father and the other Aesir. I'm not sure how I would word it. I'll have a think on it though. Never know when that could come in handy.



Definetly not. We should all learn to live together and respect each others beliefs and faiths no matter how divergent they are from our own.



That's pretty much how I do things as well. Although I can be slack and forget. Kinda happens when you're chasing after a toddler every day.

As for worship..it's something I do not do. The Aesir and Vanir are important in my life. But I do not revolve my life around them. I look at it as sort of symbiotic. We feed off one another. I'm becoming more comfortable with my relationship with the Aesir abd Vanir. I could probably go into detail, but someone would likely get me sent to the loony bin

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*nods* I have never sworn an oath in my life... modern society seems to be more into signing the bottom of a paper. If you find the right wording, share it here if you like. I'd be interested in it.

Umm.. I feel I shouldn't post so much here, since I'm not on the member list. I don't adhere to Asatru nor consider myself a Pagan, although I still have a certain interest in both. Please tell me if you think I'm intruding...

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