Paganism............A Way To Fill The Void

Involvement in the ERW (Extreme Right Wing) can for some, lead people to embrace extremist forms of religion.

Some can embrace Christian Identity, while others can embrace Odinism, a warped version of Heathenry, which venerates the Old Norse Gods such as – Odin, Thor, Sif, Nerthus and many more.

Walking away from ERW extremism, opens up a void, something that needs to be filled and often those who have taken a religious approach, will look at non extremist versions of the faith they have embraced.

Looking at Christianity, some have sort refuge in Catholicism, others have moved to Unitarism, and some have found faith and meaning as Quakers, sickened by the violence they have seen and even been involved in.

For those who have embraced Odinism, or Wodenism, an Anglo-Saxon variant of this faith, many will look at ways they can follow the Old Norse Gods, but now, in a non-racist way.

Often disheartened, their journey is tough, looking at ways that they can still pay homage to the Old Gods, but without the fear of racism raising its ugly head.

But sadly, for many, on this journey, they still see Odinists at work, operating on what looks like welcoming, unbiased social media groups, promoting warped texts, like the nine noble virtues , extremist texts and iconography.

To the untrained eye, this could be seen as misinformation, but the reality is this is disinformation, with the specific aim of laying the foundations for people to succumb to extremist thinking, wrapped up in religion.

Thankfully, the ERW do not have everything their own way and there are various inclusive Heathen organisations operating like Heathens Against Hate, Asatru UK and others. If you want to follow the Old Norse Gods, please be careful. Network with people who promote inclusive Heathenism and do what you are comfortable with. Check out the links listed at the end of this article for contacts you can trust.

Stepping away from warped versions of religious extremism, some may wish to slowly develop their path and a great way to do this is network with other pagans and find your own path. A great organisation you can do that with is the Pagan Federation, please have a look at their website below.

Shocked by what people have seen, some people feel less religious and more spiritual. This can often result in people taking solace in nature, in awe of what they now see, and understand that a love of nature and the land is not the sole property of the far-right and this can result in a loss of faith in old gods, focusing on what people can see and feel.

Embracing this approach, there are many ways people can put back into society and do something positive.

It doesn’t matter if you follow an established religion, embrace Paganism or simply do things which protect the land and our amazing wildlife.

Personally, I have no group affiliation and follow a very minimal spiritual approach, which honours the past, but is focused on the future.

My faith is Pagan at its core, informal, minimal and based on praxis and less on knowledge/Gods, because after I walked away from an extremist lifestyle,  I felt drained, used, tired and totally uninterested in getting involved with any formal organisation.

Now I see my faith as personal, and I don’t want anyone telling what I should/shouldn’t be doing.

Instead, I do what I feel is right, honour the earth and do what I can, when I can and read what I want when I want.

If I don’t know the name of an old God or a text from a book, I’m OK with that. This is my journey and I know I have support via Exit Hate who have many others like me who are on this pathway and this gives me solace.

Mike - Former ERW Activist and Odinist.

Recommended Links

Heathens Against Hate - https://www.heathensagainsthate.com

Asatru UK - https://www.asatruuk.org

General Introduction To Heathenry - https://www.asatruuk.org/product-page/an-introduction-to-heathenry

Pagan Federation - https://www.paganfed.org