Insofar as the online presence of the heathen community, I have found that there are a large number of individuals who place a rather large amount of time and energy into blaspheming and shaking down the "Abrahamic" faiths; typically Christianity. Remarks regarding the Christians and/or Christianity often start off cold and insensitive, which is fine, but they often become incensed with anger and, more particularly, wrath.
To me, it seems quite obvious that those who expel this energy for the sake of the defamation of Christianity, et al., are doing so because they themselves belonged to the lot, and are fighting a sort of spiritual battle; not in terms of "holy ghosts" and what have you, but in the sense of personal freedom and individuality trying to find its way through years of programmed behavior, emotion, and thought. This is quite natural—indeed, worth applauding. However, it is dangerous to become stuck in this position, as it results in stagnation and the lack of spiritual progression and maturity. Many Ásatrúr believe that the way to gaining the favor of the Valkyries and Woden in order to gain admission to Valhalla, isn't just by being a warrior in the physical world, but of the spiritual world. If you are one of these, than you must consider that your ongoing battle with the faith that was instilled within you during your youth is still winning if you are continuously tormented by what lies within you. There is no favor to be won in this.
Whether you believe Valhalla a real place, or a metaphorical representation of spiritual accomplishment and bliss, neither will be obtained if you are constantly tormented by the mere presence of the Abrahamic faiths.
The existence of Christianity, et al., is altogether irrelevant. What should matter most, is that you do good work, grow, succeed, be good to and love your kinfolk, and conquer your enemies when necessary. Persistence of verbally ravaging those religions you disagree with will prove to be counter-productive, and in that sense, you are not living as Ásatrúar, you are living as rebelling Christians (Jews, Muslims). One does not need to defend these other religions, but the amount of energy spent condemning them could very well be redirected towards positive works.
I think you're heavily mistaken on the motives of those of us who voice a distaste for Christianity. Frankly, my biggest issue is the impingement on my personal rights by those who want to legislate their religion into law.
ReplyDeleteI respect the argument against the incorporation of Christianity into law, and I support that, but that is not relavent to what I'm saying here.
ReplyDeleteFor one thing, not all Christians think their belief should be built into law; to believe so would be ignorant. However, most of the comments and judgements of Christians and Christianity that I have come across from many Asatruar, are not arguing particular points of interest, but blatantly blaspheming.
If you reread the first line of the post, you will notice that I said a "large number of individuals," not all. I have a distaste for Christianity for reasons I can point out particularly, but this is often not the case with the people I have come into contact with online.