Question

[Leben]

I've pretty much read all of the "This is Odinism" thread. I am new to all of this, hopefully I will be able to find answers to my (basic) questions here.

My first question is, plain out, do you truly believe in the gods and floating Vikings, or do you follow the religion as mythology and folklore to honor your race/ancestors?

[Der Einzelgänger]

Well, I read the sagas and eddas, and try to take as much knowledge from them as I can. I don't believe that the gods are really floating up above us, but that the mythology was merely our ancestors way of explaining their world. They didn't have all the advancements we have so they wrote their observations down in ways they could understand.

I believe in the gods, but I'm not sure what they could be, but I'm sure there really isn't a giant redbearded man with a hammer running around the sky.

[Leben]

Well, I read the sagas and eddas, and try to take as much knowledge from them as I can. I don't believe that the gods are really floating up above us, but that the mythology was merely our ancestors way of explaining their world. They didn't have all the advancements we have so they wrote their observations down in ways they could understand.

I believe in the gods, but I'm not sure what they could be, but I'm sure there really isn't a giant redbearded man with a hammer running around the sky.

This is what I figured, and this is basically the same view I take on the issue. I have been talking to a Christian White Nationalist, a fundamentalist Christian, and he continues to say that it is illogical to believe in "floating Vikings", and I have been trying to explain to him that it is about honoring our ancestors and their/our folklore, and that I do not truly believe in gods in the sky.

Anyways, thank you for your help and quick response.

[Norsk Blod]

I have been talking to a Christian White Nationalist, a fundamentalist Christian, and he continues to say that it is illogical to believe in "floating Vikings", .
but its not illogical to belive in a floating angels and an alien god?

[Der Einzelgänger]

That's what I was thinking after I read his post...

[Leben]

but its not illogical to belive in a floating angels and an alien god?

Oh, I most certainly agree, and I let him "have it" after he said that. No worries. :D

[Scramaseax]

This is what I figured, and this is basically the same view I take on the issue. I have been talking to a Christian White Nationalist, a fundamentalist Christian, and he continues to say that it is illogical to believe in "floating Vikings", and I have been trying to explain to him that it is about honoring our ancestors and their/our folklore, and that I do not truly believe in gods in the sky.

It's more logical than believing in a floating Jew in the sky, especially for a White Nationalist. What was his response to that?

[Hveðrungur Kveldúlfsson]

It's more logical than believing in a floating Jew in the sky, especially for a White Nationalist. What was his response to that?
Lets stop right there :)

[Teufelhunden]

Ahh but not all of us just believe in them as myth or just models, I myself do believe in a pantheon of Gods that are very real, as I have seen them... but not all follow that path, but it is ignorrany to just say that they only live in myth and story.

[Leben]

Ahh but not all of us just believe in them as myth or just models, I myself do believe in a pantheon of Gods that are very real, as I have seen them... but not all follow that path, but it is ignorrany to just say that they only live in myth and story.

Ehh....could I get a general consensus from the board somehow? Maybe I should start a poll? How many people believe in floating Vikings as opposed to honoring the mythos?

[Sigurd]

Ahh but not all of us just believe in them as myth or just models, I myself do believe in a pantheon of Gods that are very real, as I have seen them... but not all follow that path, but it is ignorrany to just say that they only live in myth and story.

I'd say they are sort of real. There must be something "up there".

[Liffrea]

I would say its dimensional. I don't think they are floating on clouds. But I do belive they are on a different plain to ours and cross over from time to time.

[Sigurd]

Well, d'uh, no, they're not gonna be on clouds, but I think you get the picture. I simply believe that they are not mere thoughts but that our gods are somewhat real. This idea may sound a bit stupid and childish, but I just believe that they exist and are not metaphorical.

[Katia]

I believe they are real as well, just much much more advanced down the evolutionary scale than we are..The myths are representations to us, so that we can picture them, relate to them and feel closer to them..

[Sigurd]

Yes, a good explanation Katia.

But well, we can never look how they would exactly look like, as there have been different interpretations. Well, about Odin we know about his sacrifice of an eye, for example, so we can imagine these things. But, if we imagine him to have a beard then how long is it etc. We can never be too sure, and we will probably never meet them in this life in person, maybe after.

[Hengest]

Floating Vikings FFS! What a mad phrase!

Think of it this way. We know that air exists. We can't see it but we know it is there. Giving deities form help us to better comprehend them.

The images we have of our deities are the ones that our ancestors used to easier understand the multiverse in a way which ordinary people of the day would be able to grasp. If our lore had been written a thousand years earlier then we wouldn't even be considering vikings.

There are many who do not see the high ones in human form or as vikings in furry pants. However, if those images help you then use them. We are all at different levels of understanding.

[Liffrea]

Floating Vikings FFS! What a mad phrase!

Think of it this way. We know that air exists. We can't see it but we know it is there. Giving deities form help us to better comprehend them.

The images we have of our deities are the ones that our ancestors used to easier understand the multiverse in a way which ordinary people of the day would be able to grasp. If our lore had been written a thousand years earlier then we wouldn't even be considering vikings.

There are many who do not see the high ones in human form or as vikings in furry pants. However, if those images help you then use them. We are all at different levels of understanding

I think you have made an interesting point there. Some people seem to confuse the fact that we reflect onto the gods what we want them to be in image and characteristics, rather than thats how they wanted to be seen. Hope that made sense, Ive got BGS. :D

[ensonulv]

My first question is, plain out, do you truly believe in the gods and floating Vikings, or do you follow the religion as mythology and folklore to honor your race/ancestors?[/QUOTE]

I see Asatru as my race/ancestors are my religion. As for what's above, Ill find out when get there... or dont. I believe the spirtit of our folk(unity) is the gods/goddesses, Like Oden stalling Ragnarock any way he can is a parent sacuring the future of thier child by fighting for whatever makes lifes quality better and presurving that through folkish means.

[Leben]

I want to thank everyone for being kind and honest with my questions!