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FinneousPJFinneousPJ Member Posts: 6,455
in Off-Topic
Iceland to build first temple to Norse gods since Viking age

A modern version of Norse paganism has been gaining popularity in recent years as followers see the stories as metaphors for life not worship of the gods

Icelanders will soon be able to publicly worship at a shrine to Thor, Odin and Frigg with construction starting this month on the island’s first major temple to the Norse gods since the Viking age.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/02/iceland-temple-norse-gods-1000-years

Comments

  • ButtercheeseButtercheese Member Posts: 3,766
    edited March 2015
    While I do love mythology, especially the Norse one, modern paganism kinda scares me.
    Being German, I can tell you that many Paganists (is that the correct name?) here are also Neo-Nazis :I
    And if there is something the world really doesn't need, that it's more Nazis >.>

    But Iceland is Iceland and Germany is Germany, I just hope that they don't give the idiots here any ideas :/
    Post edited by Buttercheese on
  • KamigoroshiKamigoroshi Member Posts: 5,870
    Where did you get that strange idea from @Buttercheese?

    Paganism has nothing to do with national socialism. Never had. That would be like tying monotheism with national syndicalism. It just doesn't work that way. Of course there is always the possibility that a handful of fanatics try to use history to their political advantage. But claiming that all believers of said used religion are like that within a country is just shortsighted. As a German myself, I cannot agree to such a train of thought.
  • ButtercheeseButtercheese Member Posts: 3,766
    I am gonna assume we live in different regions or watch different news and leave it at that :I
  • scriverscriver Member Posts: 2,072
    To say that modern "norse" neo-paganism doesn't have a huge link to neo-nazism is just ridiculous. There's a reason the "Thor'shammer", an old symbol of good fortune, is a neo-nazi symbol today.
  • FinneousPJFinneousPJ Member Posts: 6,455
    @scriver No, to say it does is as ridiculous as saying islam = terrorism.
  • scriverscriver Member Posts: 2,072
    Islam does not properly correspond to norse neo-paganism in that example, neo-paganism is a much thinner set of groups and much smaller number of people. That's not really relevant anyway, because I'm not saying "all neo-pagans are also neo-nazis", I'm saying there's a strong link between neo-nazism and neo-paganism.
  • FinneousPJFinneousPJ Member Posts: 6,455
    Okay. I'm saying there isn't. Given the lack of proof, your claim is quite unjustified.
  • ButtercheeseButtercheese Member Posts: 3,766
    edited March 2015
    First of all, I would like to state: I never thought, said or believed that all neopagans are neonazis or vice versa. I would also like to emphasize, that I said it's like that here in Germany, NOT in Iceland or the rest of the world.

    All I am saying is, that a notable amount of neonazis are indeed drawn to neopaganism, mostly out of a feel for "true nationalism" from way before the Romans invaded the north and Christianity replaced most local believes. Then of course you got the historic fact that the actual Nazis where also strong in neopaganism.

    Thanks to the new found hate/ fear of the Islam here, Neonazis are using neopaganism for their anti-Islam propaganda.

    Obviously it is hard to find English sources about the connection between neopagnism and neonazis in Germany, but here are some German articles I found. Maybe Google translate can help you.

    http://www.stern.de/panorama/sommersonnenwende-das-spiel-mit-dem-feuer-624613.html
    http://www.netz-gegen-nazis.de/category/lexikon/neuheidentum
    http://www.bagkr.de/wp-content/uploads/rechtsextremismus_und_religion_2013.pdf
    http://www.nornirsaett.de/antimonotheismus-–-schlussel-zum-verstandnis-des-rechtsextremismus/
    http://www.lotta-magazin.de/damals/inhalt/nr14.htm

    I am not really good at finding sources, since I mainly learn about this stuff by watching the news and for what I see outside.

    That being said, of course many Neonazis would find Norse neopaganism appealing, it's the very definition of "true German". And unlike Christianity, it doesn't dictate you to "love your next".
  • FinneousPJFinneousPJ Member Posts: 6,455
    I'm not going to argue. I'll just state prejudice shows a lack of intelligence, and ask that you stop the off-topic posting. This thread is not about nazism. Thanks.
  • ButtercheeseButtercheese Member Posts: 3,766
    Good thing I am not prejudice but simply observant and even bringing proof of my point along, right?
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