Odinism and Vegetarian / Veganism

[Nordhaus]

I am interested in hearing peoples opinions on Vegetarianism / Veganism and how it relates to the Odinist belief and worldview. I personally have been Vegetarian for 18 years, and Vegan for 7 of those years, and I feel that this lifestyle sits harmoniously next to the Odinist core belief of respect for , and peaceful co-existence with, all forms of nature. Looking forward to all thoughts on this issue.

[Liffrea]

Well to be honest I don't agree with vegetarianism. Humans are omnivores after all. Besides I like a nice juicy steak!

As for Odinism there was no prohabition on eating meat. There was a respect for nature, but man eating beast is part of the natural order. Also if you consider that boar is probably the closest you will get to a sacred food in our faith.

I cannot imagine a Lord sitting in his great hall with his warriors tucking into a plate of salad, tomatoes and macaroni cheese!

[Katia]

I respect everyone's individual choice in this matter. However I will eat meat. I try to get the most organic meat I can find, usually at local farmers and butchers. I have met Odinists who will only eat meat if they slaughtered the animal themselves. I think that is a cool point of view, too.

[OdinFollower]

I have tried to be a vegetarian once. It didnt work out to well. Lettuce started tasting like plastic. I like how it was stated in the above post "I cannot imagne a Lord and his warriors in a great hall digging into a salad and macaroni". I was one for a week. During that week I started to feel like I was loseing energy and stuff like that. I couldnt imagne myself not eating a steak for long. *drools*

[jcsturk]

I am an asatruar, not a Jainist. I respect nature, including human nature, including the nature in our blood. We evolved as omnivores. Through natural selection, human ancestors developed the ability to digest both flora and fauna. Thus I respect nature by following my nature--and eating nature. :D

[Hveðrungur Kveldúlfsson]

I am interested in hearing peoples opinions on Vegetarianism / Veganism and how it relates to the Odinist belief and worldview. I personally have been Vegetarian for 18 years, and Vegan for 7 of those years, and I feel that this lifestyle sits harmoniously next to the Odinist core belief of respect for , and peaceful co-existence with, all forms of nature. Looking forward to all thoughts on this issue.


You've got the ideals of respect for nature all twisted in your head. Respect for nature means eat what you kill and dont kill more than you will eat, not dont kill to eat because you will be taking away from nature. There is a circle of life here, we eat animals, we have for a loooong time. There is a big difference between taking from nature what you need and raping lands and species for nothing. If you want to be a Vegetarian, fine but a big part of our folkway is the eating and or sacraficing of meat, mead and other things to the gods. There are still kindreds who will on special occasion sacrafice a wild boar to freyr, you might view that as inhumane but thats a part of our folkway. As long as they kill the boar in a quick way, eat it and bury everything not eaten I see no problem with it. There is a difference between respecting nature and modern world ridiculous ideals like Vegetarianism. I dont mean to offend you but every Vegetarian ive seen looked pale, sick and weak but I guess ss long as you eat a LOT of peanuts and energy bars to get your protien do whatever you want but personally id have a tough time trusting a man who wouldn't eat a nice steak or a chunk of ham at a feast :p

Before it was the boar sacraficed and eaten it was real people being sacraficed (but not eaten) to Tiwaz by violent stabbings or old sick men and captured prisioners being sacraficed to Woden by hanging.

[Asbrandsson OR]

Hello,

If we need to consume the life force of other entities within creation in order to exist, why consume only the ones that can least defend themselves and do not really lend to our strength.

Asbrandsson OR

[Asbrandsson OR]

I am interested in hearing peoples opinions on Vegetarianism / Veganism and how it relates to the Odinist belief and worldview. I personally have been Vegetarian for 18 years, and Vegan for 7 of those years, and I feel that this lifestyle sits harmoniously next to the Odinist core belief of respect for , and peaceful co-existence with, all forms of nature. Looking forward to all thoughts on this issue.

Hello,

I do not think that it is a core belief of Odinism that we peacefully co-exist with anyone.

Asbrandsson OR

[God's Helm]

Well, if you are what you eat... Hey, I eat things that are vegetarians! Does that count? :D

No, Wait. I eat other meat eaters too. Oh well. :rolleyes:

[solar_nexus]

I personally am a vegetarian. However, it should be pointed out that such a diet is not required by our Gods. I do, however, beleive that if our religion went uninterupted by Christianity that an ascetic cult would have developed from Odinism that incorperated vegetarianism into its practices, much in the same way the Cult of Apollo (which emphasizes veganism, spiritual/mental/physical hygene, the study of pythagorian mysticism/magic/music, platonic philosophy, abstinance, ect.) developed from anceint Greek Paganism. However, this would have been a minor cult and would of not of been embraced by the general populace.

On a *personal* note I do beleive that vegetarianism has helped me in my magical practices, and that various types of animal spirits (especially those that are normally hunted and eaten such as the deer, chipmunk, badger, ducks, geese, boars, ect.)
will be more cooperative with you in a magical working (such as doing a sending, shapeshifting, obtaining certain kinds of knowledge regaurding these animals, ect.) because they will not perceive you as a threat and may even want to befreind you. It is also my experience that the Vanir (AS: Wena) show a certain kind of releif when you take up vegetarianism, simply because they flow through all organic life and I do beleive that they experience any kind of pain or pleasure that occurs in the organic realm.

Asbrandsson, I feel that it is necessary to address your comment
"I do not think that it is a core belief of Odinism that we peacefully co-exist with anyone."

I must disagree with this comment. Contrary to popular beleif, Heathenry is not only a "warrior tradition", its also a "wisdom tradition", a "truth tradition", a "peace tradition", a "love tradition", a "health tradition" and much, much more. The concept of security/peace (ON: frith) is a very important facet of Heathenry, and is the Gift that Frey has given to the overall beleifs of Heathenry. Co-existing peacefully with others is a very important aspect of Heathenry, especially in the case of ones neighbors, freinds, and kin.

Liffrea:
"I cannot imagine a Lord sitting in his great hall with his warriors tucking into a plate of salad, tomatoes and macaroni cheese!"

You seem to be a little confused about what it means to be a warrior. Does eating meat make you more "manly" or "tough"? The answer to this question is NO, it absolutely does not. The only thing that can make you more manly and tough is through actual conflict in the spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, and instinctual realms, overcoming things inside of you and outside of you.

[Hengest]

I think it all boils down to personal choice and if you choose to be a vegetarian most others will respect that but just don't try to lecture people about it.

Whether you eat meat or not is down to you and not really anything to do with Odinism.

[Scramaseax]

I cannot imagine a Lord sitting in his great hall with his warriors tucking into a plate of salad, tomatoes and macaroni cheese!Just because it didn't happen in the past doesn't mean it can't happen now.

I was a vegetarian for about 2 years. Then I started to miss meat, felt I wasn't eating properly, didn't like going to restauraunts and having restricted choices, and decided that if it was so annoying then obviously I wasn't really that commited. I guess I just changed my mind and had become a different person. I never tried to lecture anyone about it, if anything I prefered to keep it to myself. But when people found out, they always seemed to ask alot of questions.

[solar_nexus]

This person also fails to understand that most vegetarians do not settle for salads, tomatoes, and macaroni.

In fact, some of the most delicious meals that I have ever eaten in my life are vegetarian. I just had a sandwhich made from the kind of bread that has nuts, seeds, tomato, and garlic in it with gaucamoli sauce, sun dried tomatoes, slices of mozzerella cheese, romaine lettuce, and alfalfa sprouts with a side of sliced apples and blueberries which was then washed down with some freshly squeezed mango juice. I also enjoy itallian bread (but not too much) smeared with freshly toasted garlic and then dipped in a mixture of balsamic viniger and olive oil with a side of freshly steamed edimene (soy beans in the pod).


Just because it didn't happen in the past doesn't mean it can't happen now.

I was a vegetarian for about 2 years. Then I started to miss meat, felt I wasn't eating properly, didn't like going to restauraunts and having restricted choices, and decided that if it was so annoying then obviously I wasn't really that commited. I guess I just changed my mind and had become a different person. I never tried to lecture anyone about it, if anything I prefered to keep it to myself. But when people found out, they always seemed to ask alot of questions.

[Nordhaus]

I think it all boils down to personal choice and if you choose to be a vegetarian most others will respect that but just don't try to lecture people about it.

Whether you eat meat or not is down to you and not really anything to do with Odinism.


I agree wholeheartedly with you White Horse that any lifestyle choice is a personal choice, and no one should lecture anyone about their personal choices in this world. The reason I brought up this topic is that there is some evidence that the original Indo-Europeans (Aryans) adhered to a vegetarian diet. As the migration of the Indo-European peoples spread, it became necessary for the settlers (especially in the north) to adapt to the immediate climates, and survive on what was available to them. While I'm sure we all agree that the Germanic / Norse peoples, and religion are of an Indo-European lineage, could it be possible that the basic tenets of our faith are rooted in a vegetarian past, that we have simply lost touch with?

Please understand that I am not arguing for my side at all , I am just simply interested in hearing everyone's opinion's regarding this topic.

[solar_nexus]

"could it be possible that the basic tenets of our faith are rooted in a vegetarian past, that we have simply lost touch with? "

The fact of the matter is that there is no evidence for vegetarianism in Heathen beleif. In fact, the original Hindu's were not vegetarian and actually did eat beef, especially the Ariya Caste (=Aryans). Paying close attention to the cultic patterns in the Vedic and Greek religions, I made a *hypothesis* that it if Heathenry developed underhindered by Christianity a cult that requires vegetarianism would have developed. I think that if such a cult were to develope, it would probably be centered around the god Baldur because he shares some similarities with the Greek Apollo and the Indian Krishna. Again, this is only hypothetical. The idea that our ancestors used to be vegetarians is an enormous imaginative leap. Keep in mind that all of this is being written by someone who is also a vegetarian so you can be rest assured that my skepticism is not based on prejudice.

[Liffrea]

This person also fails to understand that most vegetarians do not settle for salads, tomatoes, and macaroni.

Groan

Why are some people so touchy? It is what is called humour by the English. The facts are there is no prohabition on eating meat in Odinism. I don't agree with vegetarianism, to be blunt I think it is un-healthy and not natural. Humans are omnivores we need both meat and vegetables. But if you want to practise it fair enough, its your choice, and nothing to do with anyone else. No need to be touchy when someone pokes good natured fun, which incidentely was not aimed at you, or anyone else on the board. Could you really imagine Beowulf coming back from killing Grendel and eating a bowl of muesli?

[Nordhaus]

"The fact of the matter is that there is no evidence for vegetarianism in Heathen beleif. In fact, the original Hindu's were not vegetarian and actually did eat beef, especially the Ariya Caste (=Aryans). Paying close attention to the cultic patterns in the Vedic and Greek religions, I made a *hypothesis* that it if Heathenry developed underhindered by Christianity a cult that requires vegetarianism would have developed. I think that if such a cult were to develope, it would probably be centered around the god Baldur because he shares some similarities with the Greek Apollo and the Indian Krishna. Again, this is only hypothetical. The idea that our ancestors used to be vegetarians is an enormous imaginative leap. Keep in mind that all of this is being written by someone who is also a vegetarian so you can be rest assured that my skepticism is not based on prejudice."


A very informative and thoughtful point well taken Solar Nexus. I am basing my statement on the strong evidence of vegetarianism in ancient Sumerian culture, and with Sumerian culture and religion truly being the templet of polytheistic belief, could this idea of Paganism rooted (no pun intended) in vegetarianism be true? I guess the answer is no.

[hemrud]

Ive been a sissy *** veggie for almost 20 years, actually wanted to be at 12. Most people dont believe me when I tell em if it comes up, but for the life of me I dont understand why the subject always gets brought up. I dont think what you eat has anything to do with our religion one way or the other, other than traditional meals as a connection to our past. That said I do believe an animal should be given a fast clean death, judaic origin based ritual style slaughter is cruel and not in keeping with the nine virtues, in my opinion.

[Nordhaus]

I agree, Hemrud!

[solar_nexus]

Yeah I know, I'm a sissy too. Maybe some day (when I aspire to be a bad azz) I will eat some meat. That way, I'll automatically be a bad azz and I will no longer have to train and compete in full contact fighting.


Ive been a sissy *** veggie for almost 20 years, actually wanted to be at 12. Most people dont believe me when I tell em if it comes up, but for the life of me I dont understand why the subject always gets brought up. I dont think what you eat has anything to do with our religion one way or the other, other than traditional meals as a connection to our past. That said I do believe an animal should be given a fast clean death, judaic origin based ritual style slaughter is cruel and not in keeping with the nine virtues, in my opinion.

[Canuck]

Personally, I only eat certified organic free range meat, and not much of it. I think people today eat far more meat than they really should, which leads to a lot of problems like obesity, flatulence, constipation, and colon cancer. That said, I am a predatory animal, and I feel no remorse in eating other animals. Plants are living beings too, if we want to be fair we just wouldn't eat.

[sonofodin_3/75]

I grew up as a hunter of beast and I raise my children to hunt as well. Going into the woods or fields with the intent on stalking or ambushing a partiular animal or type of animal strikes the strongest chord of ancient kinship that I have ever felt. I grew up as a bow hunter and continue to pass that tradition on as well. The only meat we buy buy is chicken. We hunt enough deer, pig, dove, duck, rabbit, squirel and fish that we sustain ourselfs till the next season opens. With that said, it should also be said that I raise my children to respect nature as an enviromentalist and understand the harmony of the forest. We walk with the forest not through it. It feels natural for me to be in the woods, It feels natural for me to kill animals for food, It feels natural for me to kill animals for clothing, It feels natural for me to follow blood trails, It feels natural for me to cure and process meat that I harvested, HELL, IT JUST FEELS NATURAL.

[heimdall]

I beleive we do consume to much meat for what we need,but the meat eating isn't the down fall[the unnatural additives]in store boughten meat is.To deny our northern ancestry meat would be unatural like a Inuit not eating his raw seal and whale.I say less consumption and more organic is the key.

[Canuck]

I beleive we do consume to much meat for what we need,but the meat eating isn't the down fall[the unnatural additives]in store boughten meat is.To deny our northern ancestry meat would be unatural like a Inuit not eating his raw seal and whale.I say less consumption and more organic is the key.

Agreed. Ideally I'd like to raise my own livestock and hunt too, but the modern lifestyle precludes that at the moment. A man can always dream.

[rekkr_uk]

Hailsa,
I agree with peoples comments and respect the fact that everyone has the choice to live however they please whilst trying to adhere to the NNV and the NNC.I personally eat meat and cant imagine not doing,but it seems to me that one of our ancestors greatest aspirations was to enter Valhalla upon their demise,performing feats of bravery and courage to do so,the only references to food are all meat i.e. the flesh of Saerimnhir the boar,this would indicate surely that our ancestors held eating meat in high regard.
Hail Odin,
Steve AOR

[enslaved1896]

I plan on trying out the vegetarian lifestyle during the summer.

However, I think that if I did become a vegetarian, I would still eat meat on certain occasions with a kindred/hearth feast, or something like that.

I am by no means "don't eat teh animals!" Meat is good. I just want to try and see if a vegetarian diet mixed with exercise (along with walking everywhere on this campus) would result in a steady weight loss.

[Heathen Soul]

Hailsa,

I think its personal choice, but i have been a vegetarian for 3 1/2 years now and feel great for it. Although i know that for the vast majority of history we have eaten meat, the main thing that i have a problem with is industrial farming and its effects on the environment. Organic local farming is great and should be encouraged (for both meat and veg.), but i think that all will agree that raping Mother Jorth should be something we all fight against.

Furthermore, i believe that while at one point in human history we would have needed to eat meat for our survival, it is no longer essential for living a healthy lifestyle in the modern World, and being vegetarian can also be beneficial (for some people) on thier spiritual 'quest'.

Like i say its personal choice, but thats my 2p! ...now where was that grass i was munching on?...

[Teufelhunden]

Uh no people eat far too much sugar and carbs, and that leads to obesity, flatulence, constipation...

[Katia]

The only way I could see myself being a vegetarian in any way is if I went completely natural meats.. but I like me meat too much to give it up!

Teuf.. flatulence.. oh my! Don't try to tell me you don't like one rip once in a while ;)

[Teufelhunden]

im rippin one now ...... :p