American/Vinlandic Heathenry

[Hærfest Leah]

Do you think this term should get more usage by Heathens in the US?

I think I'm starting to like it. I don't think it should be used as a way to separate one area of Heathenry from the rest but just to specify a location.

Hangatyr 13 stated on a thread...
In truth there are no "Norse" or "Anglo-Saxon" Heathens living in modern-day America. We're all American Heathens.

There's the Vinland Tribal Alliance although they don't look like their doing too much.
http://vta.gamall-steinn.org/

And I assume The Troth goes in this Category as well.
http://thetroth.org/

Do you believe that our Heathenry is in any essence different from those Heathens that are not so far remove from the lands of our ancestors?

[Kendrah]

Do you believe that our Heathenry is in any essence different from those Heathens that are not so far remove from the lands of our ancestors?

Maybe it's because they aren't removed from the land like those of us in america? They can work the energies the vikings did waaaay back then?

I dunno. Just guessing.

[KellyP]

This is a fantastic topic, Seapearls. Thank you for bringing it to the forum.

I think that our modern lives are no real different than those of our ancestors in the sense that we cannot escape the influences of local geography, weather, culture, animal life, etc. play in shaping our religion.

Does an American Heathen have a different world view than a Norwegian Heathen? Just consider how different their political landscape (on the doorstep of a communist superpower for so long), their economy, and their geography are from America. I would assert that it would be nearly impossible for the world views to be the same.

I don't believe you would have to go so far as to ask if American or Norwegian Heathens worship differently. Instead, I believe you could assert that New England Heathens are likely to be different than Heathens of the rural South in the U.S. These differences reflect the tribal nature of religion that has existed, does exist, and will continue to exist.

I think we too often approach the religion of our ancestors through the convenient filter of homogeneity, when in truth each region, each tribe, and possibly each household may have held beliefs which flavored their practice of Heathenry.

[Rick]

This is a fantastic topic, Seapearls. Thank you for bringing it to the forum.

I think that our modern lives are no real different than those of our ancestors in the sense that we cannot escape the influences of local geography, weather, culture, animal life, etc. play in shaping our religion.

Does an American Heathen have a different world view than a Norwegian Heathen? Just consider how different their political landscape (on the doorstep of a communist superpower for so long), their economy, and their geography are from America. I would assert that it would be nearly impossible for the world views to be the same.

I don't believe you would have to go so far as to ask if American or Norwegian Heathens worship differently. Instead, I believe you could assert that New England Heathens are likely to be different than Heathens of the rural South in the U.S. These differences reflect the tribal nature of religion that has existed, does exist, and will continue to exist.

I think we too often approach the religion of our ancestors through the convenient filter of homogeneity, when in truth each region, each tribe, and possibly each household may have held beliefs which flavored their practice of Heathenry.
Yeah, what he said... :hehehehe:

[Hærfest Leah]

Thanks for the replies here. KellyP, good way to put it. I know I've read that some think that American Heathens aren't as Heathen as Icelandic Heathens are. But we are just as Heathen as everyone else although we are further away and farther down the line "it seems" from our ancestors.

Are there any books directed toward the Vinlandic Heathen, and our type of Heathenry?

[Ælfred]

Do you think this term should get more usage by Heathens in the US?

I think I'm starting to like it. I don't think it should be used as a way to separate one area of Heathenry from the rest but just to specify a location.

Do you believe that our Heathenry is in any essence different from those Heathens that are not so far remove from the lands of our ancestors?

I've heard people talk about the idea of Vinlandic Heathenry on several other forums, its an interesting topic! I think it will be more along the lines of "Midwestern Heathenry" or "West Coast Heathenry" for example. No doubt as Asatru evolves in Vinland regional lore will develop and sacred places will be established.

[Vigdisdotter]

I know I've read that some think that American Heathens aren't as Heathen as Icelandic Heathens are.

<snickers> Okay, that's just amusing :)

Whenever I hear those kinds of claims I just roll my eyes and walk away.....and remember not to be inviting that person to Yule ~_^

[Rick]

I know I've read that some think that American Heathens aren't as Heathen as Icelandic Heathens are. But we are just as Heathen as everyone else although we are further away and farther down the line "it seems" from our ancestors.
Hmm... actually, we aren't any generations further removed from those Ancestors than anyone anywhere else... a generation is a generation... not tellin' you anything you don't know, Lianne, 'cuz we've both traced our family roots a long way back: when ya get so far back, many of us have a lot of ancestors in common.

As to the land of my ancestors... I'm a fifth generation Oklahoma farm boy (my great-grandmother made the Land Run alone at the age of 19... go, Granny, go! :hehehehe: )... my ancestors have been on this continent since at least the early 17o0s... I live in the land of my ancestors...
Are there any books directed toward the Vinlandic Heathen, and our type of Heathenry?
That's an interesting question... let's start scouting around, shall we?

[Hærfest Leah]

Hmm... actually, we aren't any generations further removed from those Ancestors than anyone anywhere else... a generation is a generation... not tellin' you anything you don't know, Lianne, 'cuz we've both traced our family roots a long way back: when ya get so far back, many of us have a lot of ancestors in common.

An old thread come alive again. Let me remember why I put that part, uh yeah I've slept since then. Anyways, no a generation in a generation, I think I put "it seems" just due to location and being out of the homeland/old country. You got it cuz.

As to the land of my ancestors... I'm a fifth generation Oklahoma farm boy (my great-grandmother made the Land Run alone at the age of 19... go, Granny, go! :hehehehe: )... my ancestors have been on this continent since at least the early 17o0s... I live in the land of my ancestors...

Yes I agree, although my fathers side are ALL immigrants, if my earliest ancestor born in the US was in 1609, I definitely have cause to call US soil the land of my ancestors. The land run is interesting, I have no family in that.

[Kern]

Norse Heathenism=Heathenism
Anglo Saxon Heathenism=Heathenism
American Heathenism, if there is such a thing=Heathenism

All Heathen, just different flavors.

What would set American Heathenism apart from Norse or Anglo-Saxon Heathenism?
Besides location, local weather patterns and some practices, its simply one form or the other.