Racism
This page is meant to serve the purpose of making the general public aware of the fact that Heathen does not mean Racist or Neo-nazi. As such, this page will contain my own thoughts, along with links to other things I, and other Heathens have written about this and related topics on the Web, along with links to other educational sources. If you are of the opinion that Heathenry is a racist religion, I encourage you to read what follows very thoroughly…please make an informed decision, based on multiple perspectives, rather than assume a degree of misinformed prejudice that gives you more in common with the racists than you might wish.
As Heathens, we have the problem that ours is a faith that people aren’t as familiar with as they are with Christianity. Because of this, the average person might see the left-over propaganda from Hitler’s days, the Neo-nazis who perpetuate Hitler’s propaganda and hatred today, and find it easier to think that it makes more sense to label Heathenry a racist religion because of the Neo-nazis than it does to label Christianity a racist religion because of the Ku Klux Klan. As Heathens, I think this means we have the responsibility to be as informative about our beliefs as possible – and I’m happy to think that, at least on the Internet, we are doing a pretty good job of this. The responsibility to educate and make aware, however, implies the responsibility of others to make use of this…it’s the old expression about how you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink, that applies here.
Articles by Heathens on racism, or related statements from Heathen Organizations
- Racism, A Heathen’s Perspective, by Bernulf Oswin
- Heathens Against Hate Statement, by Óðindís
- Religion and Culture, Our Focus and Membership Policy, by the Troth
- Socio-Political Stance, by the Northvegr Foundation
General articles on racism and religious-based hatred
- Racism, the Wikipedia entry
- What is Racism?, article by the Anti-Defamation League
- Why Religions Sometimes Promote Hatred, Animosity, and Intolerance, by Religious Tolerance.org
- Ten Things You Can Do To Fight Prejudice and Racism, one of the articles found in the Racism and Psychology Brochure, published by the American Psychological Association
Information and articles relating to Heathen symbols misused by racists
- A Visual Database of Extremist Symbols, Logos and Tattoos, (not all of which are claimed by Heathens) by the Anti-Defamation League
- Wikipedia entries on the Swastika, Fylfot, Triskelion, Valknut, Wolfsangel, Algiz Rune, Sowilo Rune, Tiwaz Rune, and Othala Rune
- Runes, blog section on usage and interpretation by Bernulf Oswin
- EU’s Proposed Anti-Nazi Laws, by Bernulf Oswin
The old argument in Heathenry about the Folkish perspective
- Folkish Heathens, by Bernulf Oswin
This page last updated on 24. January 2007
