Filling The Void............Paganism

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 must be filled and often those who have taken a religious approach, will look for non-extremist versions of the faith they have embraced.

Looking at Christianity, some former activists who have left 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 likewise will look for ways they can follow the Old Norse Gods, but now, in a non-racist and inclusive way, best summed up by the slogan - The Gods do not care what colour those who are called to the Gods are, only that they believe. 

Often disheartened, this journey can be tough, as by looking at ways to still pay homage to the Old Gods, there is always the fear of racism raising its ugly head.

Sadly, on this journey, many former activists will 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, hoping what they say will catch those unaware, so they can be caught and then brought into a world wrapped up in ancient religion, but nothing more than a cover for racism and hate.

To the untrained eye, this could be seen as misinformation, but the reality is, this is disinformation, with the specific aim of recruiting people to become involved in groups which use the Old Gods for their warped agenda of racial extremism.

Thankfully, the ERW do not have everything their own way, today there are thankfully many inclusive Heathen organisations operating like Heathens Against Hate, Asatru UK and others.

So if you want to follow the Old Norse Gods, you can in warm, welcoming, inclusive organisations who promote inclusive Heathenism.

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, like myself, feel less religious and more spiritual. 

This can often result in people rejecting formal religion and instead embracing spirituality and taking solace in nature, feeling in awe of what they now see around us, and developing their own path and this is something I am doing today.

Having many names like - Pantheism, Religious Naturalism, Spiritual Naturalism and many others, for me the name of this chosen spiritual journey, doesn't matter. 

Today my belief system doesn't rely on Gods i can't see, instead it is - evidence-based, and a non-dogmatic worldview that combines a naturalistic understanding of reality, rooted in science and reason, and focuses on my, awe and connection with nature.

Having previously been an Eco-Fascist, now I understand that a love of nature and the land is not the sole property of the far-right and while I may have moved away from faith in Old Gods, because of the continuing ERW involvement in that path, today I find complete solace in focusing on what I can see and feel.

Embracing this approach, I know there are many ways people can put back into society and do something positive, and this is my path.

For those looking at life after the far-right, do what feels right for you and if this a spiritual path, then it doesn’t matter if you follow an established religion, embrace paganism, spirituality or simply do things which protect the land and our amazing wildlife, the door is open for you, so do what feels right for you.

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

I honour my ancestors, the land I stand upon and nature in all its wonder. I am inclusive and welcome all who are on the same journey.

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

Now I see my faith as more personal, and I don’t have 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.

I even read what I want, when I want. so, my path is my own and one I am very happy with. 

For those on a more traditional path like Heathenism, if you don’t know the name of an old God or a text from a book, don't worry, this is your journey. 

Never alone, I know via Exit Hate there are others like myself on similar paths, doing their own thing, finding solace in nature and this gives me hope.

No matter who you are, what you have done, what group you have belonged to. You can walk away from hate, build a better life and embrace alternatives to fill the void left after walking away.

If you want to talk, email – info@exithate.org and one of the team will get back to you.

Please note, as a small charity, Exit Hate is run predominately by volunteers so it may take a few days for us to reply.

Mike - Former ERW Activist, Eco Fascist and Ex-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