"Why am I a Heathen?" by Riverwind

[mamalaiste]

This is a repost written by Riverwind from another site. I felt it needed to be seen by others in order to possibly give guidance.

Why am I Heathen?
by Riverwind » Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:32 pm

Why am I Heathen....I would ask the same thing of a Christian, a Buddhist, a Shinto the list goes on. It's hard for me to single out one specific thing about Asatru that draws me, that calls to my heart, everything about it does that. The honoring of ancestors, the Nine Noble Virtues, the fact that I am friend and kin to the Gods and Goddesses, not a mere supplicant on my knees. Again, the list goes on.

Perhaps it would be easier for me to explain it this way, as a series of statements and questions. Why should I, as a devotee of a single deity(if I were), be expected to confess my sins, sins as defined by the church of said deity, to a "middle man"? My Gods and Goddesses don't expect confession in the first place, let alone through the ears of a complete stranger. If I have done something that dishonors myself, my family, my ancestors or friends, that is something that I have to be man enough to accept and deal with, make right. The absolution from a man who may or may not be less sinful than I am is meaningless, it does not restore my honor or expunge the stain from my name. The assumed relief of guilt does nothing to restore the good name of a man or woman who has erred badly enough to tarnish it in the first place. When I need something of my Gods and Goddesses, I can go to them myself. I have no need to go through one of their "chosen". And when I do go to them, I do so honorably. Standing straight and proud, arms wide in greeting and unconditional love. There is no honor in groveling before them, on my knees, begging for favors. Indeed, they would and do expect better of me and I gladly give them that.

My Gods and Goddesses do not require me to tithe, to give ten percent of my income to a church already bloated with wealth of immeasurable proportions. They have no need of my money and know that I need it to provide for my family. My family is my life, they're all that I am and hope to be. How my children grow up is a reflection on me, and I am responsible for providing for their food, shelter, education, love and sense of right and wrong. By giving my money to a faceless giant in some far away place, I'm failing in my duties as a responsible father, husband, teacher and role model because it lessens my ability to provide for their essentials. There is honor in helping those in need, it is foolish and dishonorable to give to an entity, be it church or corporation, organization or individual with more than it needs, yet asks for more.

My Gods and Goddesses encourage individuality, not to be a sheep. I am my own person, with my own faults, my own successes and failures, my own life lessons. They encourage me to be proud of who I am, regardless of my social standing, looks, sexual orientation or any other myriad of factors. They don't look down on me because I don't have the biggest house, the most land, the nicest car or many cows, they love and accept me for who I am and expect me to do the same. They expect me to be Courageous, to face my battles head on and with pride in who I am. They expect me to be Truthful, to never lie or cheat, for to do so would be to dishonor myself, my family, my friends and Them. They expect me to have and keep my Honor, to protect it like the gift from the Gods that it is, for without it, I am nothing. They expect my Fidelity, to be true to my ancestors and my Gods and Goddesses, to honor my oath to them all. They expect Discipline from me, the Discipline to be hard on myself when needed, and to be hard on others when needed. Discipline does not mean bullying, rudeness or lack of respect. It means having the ability to correct myself when I make a mistake, to strive to be better and to help others do the same. They expect me to be Hospitable, to help others that need it, to offer food and shelter to those weary travellers far from home and in need, to share in my good fortune. They expect me to be Industrious, to work hard to provide for my families well being, to better myself and to be as efficient as possible. They expect Self Reliance, to be able to do it myself, regardless of how hard it may be. My home and hearth are mine to protect and keep, and that means being able to repair something broken, to grow something to eat or to go out and get it, fish for it, hunt for it. They expect Perseverance, to recognize my mistakes, to accept them for what they are, learn from them and move on. To fall off the horse and get right back on again.

My Gods and Goddesses did not condemn me to a real or imagined hell from birth simply because I was born mortal. I am not condemned to this hell by them because I may make mistakes along my life path or because of some rule violation I'm not even aware of. Asatru does not claim to be the "one true path" either. We know that people are free to choose their own way in life and we do not condemn those who do not follow our path. What is right for me may not be right for the guy down the street, and I have no right to force my beliefs down his throat or condemn him for being a Lutheran, Catholic, Quaker, Snake Handler or anything else. Your choices are yours to make, not mine.

I follow Asatru because it has called to me, has touched my heart and my soul. Asatru means more to me than what I've outlined above, far more. But, what remains eludes my ability to put into mere words. It would be rather like trying describe the feelings of love to a gerbil, or trying to drive a blade of grass through a boulder. Asatru is what makes me who I am, and who I hope to be. It is my life guide, my teacher and I am so much the richer for having my Gods and Goddesses in my life.

Hail the Aesir, Hail the Vanir and Hail Ancestors!
Greg Smith, aka Riverwind.
07 March 09
Satyr's Day, Lenting 7, 2259 RE.

[summerhawk]

I read this last night, but couldn't reply.

It says an awful lot about the man, and the path.

[mamalaiste]

Yes, it says everything that he was about. His dedication to his family and to his faith. Sums him uip very well, I think.

I have posted this essay also on the PRC e-list with the hopes that others may read it and receive some guidance or answers. I think it should also be posted maybe as a witchvox article, but that would be up to Willow to do. It has such valuable thought behind it.