Is it because they don't want to be held accountable to his laws?
By saying "I don't believe in Odin" aren't they implicitly acknowledging his existence by using his name?
If Odin came from Scandinavia, why is there still Scandinavia?
2007-12-31 11:28:04 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Fireball: Someone cloned you and is trying to make you look bad. I saw that person on R&S earlier. I thought I should let you know.
2007-12-31 11:36:17 · update #1
Actually, they do believe in Odin.
Santa Claus is the modern image of Odin (Wodan, Ogdin, etc)
“Saint” Nicholas and Odin
The Oosthoeks Encyclopedia explains: “[St. Nicholas’] celebration in the household sprang from the church festivity (including surprises for the children) which in turn sprang from pre-Christian elements. Saint Nicholas, who rides on the rooftops, is the pagan god Wodan [Odin]. . . . Saint Nicholas was also the leader of the wild chase in which the souls of the dead visit the earth.”
Yes, the Teutons believed that Odin, or Wodan, their chief god, led the souls of the dead on a furious cross-country ride during the “twelve bad days” between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6). The resulting gale carried along the seeds of the produce of the fields, stimulating fertility. The apples, nuts, and other autumn produce given around “St. Nicholas Day”? These were symbols of fertility. Ancient people believed that they could appease their gods by giving them presents during the cold, dark winter days. This would result in increased fertility for man, animal, and soil.
Odin was accompanied by his servant Eckhard, the forerunner of Black Peter, who also carried a rod. As recently as the Middle Ages, it was the popular belief that certain trees and plants could render humans fertile and that merely striking a woman with a branch of such a tree sufficed to make her pregnant.
The book Feest-en Vierdagen in kerk en volksgebruik (Holidays and Celebrations in the Church and in Popular Customs) mentions a few other similarities between Odin and “Saint” Nicholas: “Wodan, too, filled the boots and wooden shoes placed by the chimney but with gold. For Wodan’s steed, hay and straw were also placed in the wooden shoe. The last sheaf of the field was also for the horse.”
The book Sint Nicolaas, by B. S. P. van den Aardweg, points to a few other striking similarities:
“St. Nicholas: a tall, powerful figure on a white horse. He has a long white beard, a crosier in his hand, and a miter on his head . . . with a wide, flowing bishop’s cloak.
“Wodan: a person of tall stature with a white beard. He wears a wide-brimmed hat pulled deeply over his eyes. In his hand he holds a magic spear. He is clad in a wide mantle and rides his loyal gray horse Sleipnir.
“There are more of these apparent similarities: Wodan rode his gray horse through the air and shuddering people offered cakes with filling in addition to meat and produce of the fields. St. Nicholas rides on the rooftops and children prepare hay, carrots, and water for the horse. Gingersnaps and the rod were symbols of fertility long before the beginning of the St. Nicholas festivities.”
2007-12-31 11:36:02 · answer #1 · answered by rangedog 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Well, I can believe that Odin exists. I don't worship him but that's not to say that others don't and that others don't hear his voice. I've never personally encountered Odin, at least to my knowledge, but then again, I have yet to encounter Yahweh on a major tangible level either. Mainly spiritual as far as he goes. But then you already know this about me. ;-) -- Hey what am I? Chopped liver? ;-) --
2016-04-02 05:17:18 · answer #2 · answered by Diane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The belief in the old Norse Gods isn't for everyone. Odin picks his own followers. It's a great honour to be called upon by our ancestral Gods.
Hail Odin, Hail the Aesir, Hail the Vanir!
2007-12-31 19:00:36 · answer #3 · answered by Ymmo the Heathen 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Odin is the only one who can save them from Hel!
He's the only way to heaven.
:)
Hail Thor!
Hail the Vanir and Aesir!
2007-12-31 13:48:54 · answer #4 · answered by Meatwad 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
well, my God doesn't really dig me worshiping other gods.
i can acknowledge him, i just can put him before YHVH.
lost.eu/21618
2007-12-31 12:40:06 · answer #5 · answered by Quailman 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Nice.
I keep saying the same thing when Christians can't understand why everyone won't believe in their god.
Hail Odin! Hail the Aesir and Vanir!
Added: Mun - look around, you have several Asatru heathens right here that can tell you about Odin and the religion of the Aesir and Vanir.
2007-12-31 12:39:28 · answer #6 · answered by Aravah 7 · 10⤊ 0⤋
Christians have thier fair share of a twisted faith…they do not need anymore….
2007-12-31 11:35:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
I didnt...must be some myth cuz HE ISNT MY LORD....fakes wont save us!
2007-12-31 11:33:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 12⤋
Good one.
I guess they're angry at Odin.
(Of course, if they'd been raised to believe that Odin was their saviour instead of Jesus, they would believe it.)
2007-12-31 11:32:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 0⤋
Heh.
Nicely done.
A star for you.
2007-12-31 11:31:03 · answer #10 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 11⤊ 0⤋