A friend of mine has been studying Asatru, and considers himself an Asatruar, however, as of late he has been felt as if he was called to a different pantheon. Would it be considered an affront to the Norse Gods, if he were change religions. Even if he hasn't practiced anything, and has just been studying?
2007-08-28 16:00:40 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If he has only been studying and not either oathed himself to a particular deity or professed heathenry/Asatru then it is no harm, no foul. As has been stated, if he were to have made ANY oaths and broken them, and not done anything to put layers of good in the well on top of the broken oath, then it would not bode well.
I know people who came to heathenry from different paths as well, so to me it is not an issue, unless that is he swore any oaths.
2007-08-29 01:57:54 · answer #1 · answered by Thrudheim 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
As a Hellenic Pagan, I cannot definitively answer for the Norse Gods as understood by the Asatru/Heathen community. HOWEVER, that being said, if your friend by studying the teachings of the Asatru has found that his heart was called to a different pantheon, I PERSONALLY do not think the Gods would be offended.
There is a reason that your friend was initially called to learn about the Norse Gods, even if that was only because of ONE member of the pantheon.
There are Gods that fulfill similar roles in most European Pantheons so some degree of syncretic practice may be historically viable. (I am a Hellenic Reconstructionist, so mixing pantheons such as the Norse and Egyptian would not work for me although the Norse and Greek OR the Greek and Egyptian might)
2007-08-28 23:17:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can one be an affront to archetype beings after all they did not exist as Persons but rather as Ideals of the Norse people. Even they knew that the beings and stories were for moral value only. Christianity on the other hand is real and even non-believers in his Divinity acknowledge that Jesus was a real being.
2007-09-05 19:43:33 · answer #3 · answered by cowboy_christian_fellowship 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Really depends. I took a "learning break" and explored my catholic roots for a bit. and I came back to asatru reccently.
It dosent make sense for the Gods to care. Not based on the myths and not based on my experince. Acctually I felt Odin very stongly with me while in mass. Asatru is about family, you dont beat your kids becuse they spend the night at someone elses house or becuse they run away.
I think that your friend should follow his calling
2007-09-02 03:47:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the norse gods are not possessive. thor might throw a thunderbolt at his heels, but it would only be in fun. asatru does not teach exclusivity. your friend may find benefits from both pantheons.
2007-08-28 23:08:18 · answer #5 · answered by bad tim 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not if he hasn't sworn any oaths.
If he has already sworn an oath or oaths to the Norse gods, then I'm afraid he is screwed.
But if he has only "studied" and not "practiced," then it shouldn't be a problem.
2007-09-01 02:59:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the Voluspo, an ancient Norse saga, the gods met in council and decided that it would be very wrong, unjust and destructive to be jealous of their followers. They also decided not to make any one god supreme over all, so I don't think they would be offended at all.
2007-09-01 18:05:36 · answer #7 · answered by Robin Runesinger 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that The One True God has many names. So what is the difference of learning about one God and about others? I believe it's just different aspects of the same God. There is no one who can understand the infiniteness that is God.
Blessed Be
2007-09-05 09:20:15 · answer #8 · answered by Linda B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Aesir are above petty jealousy. Who has courage does not fear even the wrath of a god. All who stand strong by their beliefs, whatever they may be, are worthy of respect. One who cannot respect his opposition cannot have respect for his own cause. That is the teaching of Val-Father.
2007-09-01 12:09:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he has taken no oaths to the Gods... then the only reason they'd likely care is that one of their literal descendants is turning away from them... just like so many others.
2007-08-28 23:10:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋