So, out of curiosity, I wondered what NSG would make of the tiny political world of Norse Polytheism.
The first thing to note is that when it comes to beliefs and rituals, there are relatively few universal truths. Partly due to being a reconstructed faith and the ever evolving studies related to the original worshipers and our understanding of them, and partly out of a deliberate lack of universal dogma. Leading to a variety of subfaiths and splinter groups that are all fairly similar while also being different enough to be different.
The biggest 'political' (theological?) Divide in the community is the Universal vs Folkish divide.
As to the first, the gyst is more or less simple. As one might expect for a religion based on the native pre-christian Germanic beliefs, you end up with a lot of Neo-Nazis trying to join. When not openly couched in white Supremacist rhetoric, Folkish Heathens tend to argue either that the gods have some manner of inherent connection to either those of Northern European blood in particular, or white people in general. Or that, as other ethnic groups have their own cultural traditions that are closed to them, they should have the same right. And sometimes they promote some manner of odd 'they should worship their own ancestral gods instead.' stance. This stance is largely held by the Asatru Folk Assembly and it's followers.
Conversely you have the Universalists, in direct opposition to Folkish ideals, is the idea that Odin is the allfather. He created the first people who spread to make all peoples. Universalists believe there exists no racial component to the faith. Most Universalists are aggressively against Folkish stances, and the topic is a frequent cause for discussion and protest, such as the Declaration 127 movement. which is directly aimed at the AFA but indirectly a denouncement of 'Folkish' belief in general.
Then, as something of a third path, in the same sense as agnosticism is a third path, is Tribalist groups. Where by and large they don't concern themselves too much with what other groups do unless it effects them in particular, and tend to reject the idea that worshiping the same gods makes a group bond between them and the rest of the faith. While they tend to have an either Folkish or Universalist leaning, they don't worry with how other people worship and inner 'tribe' arguments tend to be more personal. Tribalists tend to be ignored in the larger debate, partially because it's somewhat pointless to try to include them. Since most don't advertise or go out of their way to recruit, they tend to be small groups.
Personally, I tend towards Universalist arguments. I've seen nothing to convince me that the faith has any racial component in either history or practice, and while certain Universalist groups are insufferably progressive it's still less of a bother than the more or less open white supremacy found in the Folkish camp.
So, what's your thoughts NSG?
