Copyright 2008 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
An Idea for Cohesion
One of the largest obstacles to Heathen cohesion is the “all chiefs and no Indians” attitude that has been around for at least fifteen years. The early 1990s saw a lot of conflict between various organizations. They would occasionally appear to recognize one another. That was for the public. Behind the scenes, it was another matter. For example, in 1993 a member of the “Ring of Troth” sat right in my living room and tried to convince me to turn my back on other Heathen groups who had been quite helpful to me. I believe he did this on his own, rather than at the behest of someone else. Nonetheless, things like this caused fissures within the Heathen community. Whether it was done by individuals advancing their cause or orchestrated by the organizations themselves, the Heathen community if the 1990s could best be described as fractured.
I have to admit complicity on my part. As one of the more outspoken and independent voices, I tossed a few firebrands into the mix. Back then, we were younger and did not consider the impact on future generations. Let us be honest, good people. The splits and spats and feuds continued partly because of ego and partly because we enjoyed them. It can be immense fun to piss people off and rattle their sensibilities. Now, more than a few of us regret our rashness.
Heathenism will never be a one-group / one doctrine kind of thing. We have too many independent thinkers to abide adherence to a single set of rules. Never will we accede to the leadership of a select few. Most of us, like the Urus Rune, value our independence. We would never submit to becoming someone else’s Fe. So how in Holy Odin’s name will we ever have any kind of cohesion?
Maybe we are looking at the wrong thing. We cannot coalesce from the top down, from leader to follower. Our cohesion must come laterally, as equals. Our code cannot be a set of rules shared by all. It has to be something simpler and more practical.
Let us take comfort in this: as Heathens we will never all agree on the same thing! One guy wants the Nine Noble whatevers, another says they are too modern. One fellow accepts all who come, the other only wants folks of his own ethnic background. One woman wants a Norse tradition and the other prefers Old Saxon. We will hopefully never agree on everything.
Perhaps our problem is not in agreeing, but in treating each other agreeably.
Your fellow Heathen might not agree with you. He might not even be your kind of person. That does not change the fact that he is still Heathen. You might not like what he does or what he is or how he believes in the Gods. So what? This is Heathenism. Schisms and blasphemy are for other religions. I ask you personally: can you at least shake hands with your fellow Heathen and greet him in a cordial manner? Can you look him in the eyes and see a fellow Heathen, regardless of how his ways differ from yours? Perhaps you cannot call him”brother” or “kinsman”, but you can certainly recognize that he is still Heathen. That is all it takes.
We have to replace the demand to be honored with the courage to give the other fellow a break. As they used to say, “Cut him a little slack.” We ought to do this for our fellow Heathen. It would go far toward cohesion and goodwill if we gave the other Heathen the benefit of the doubt.
The main thing is that we talk with one another. That is all. We do not have to agree or join any groups or change our own ways.
The heritage of civility goes back past the Viking Age. The Havamal gives us adequate advice on how to treat guests. Certainly we can extend the same courtesies to our fellow Heathens. The same manners we give friends, family and acquaintances can certainly be extended to our fellow Heathens.
In our meetings with our fellow Heathens, let them begin and end a firm handshake and a smile. That is all it takes.
Where do you find leadership when there are no leaders? Though individual groups may have their leaders, Heathenism is general has none. Our prominent people are not leaders, in the traditional sense. So where do people find guidance?
I believe firmly that leadership is a matter of example. Older Heathens and those in prominent places may not realize that the eyes of others are upon them. The actions and words of the elders can have quite an impact. For many younger Heathens, they set the example of what a good Heathen is.
For those who feel responsible for the future conduct of Heathenism, the impact of example cannot be minimized. If anything, it is a call for the older and more prominent to be on their best behavior. We have to be better. The younger and newer people are drawing their inspiration from us.
When the young people see us older folks working together for the good of Heathenism, when they see us treating each other as equals rather than arguing, when we show them that we are serious about our commitment to Heathenism, then we set a firm example which they are sure to follow.
Face it, folks, we cannot go back to the kind of things that went on fifteen years ago. There are going to be many interpretations of Heathenism. Our nature is to differ on matters of belief, the lore and the way we live. Now is the time to mend fences when possible, and when not, even grudgingly, to let the other fellow live in peace. How we handle our differences is as important an example as how we come together as friends. Our commitment to Heathenism will be tested by how we handle old friends and old foes within the Heathen community. If our commitment is strong, we will show an example of peace within the wider community, even when the gulf between any of us is deepest.
I am not saying that we must give endorsements of each other or construct a “mutual admiration society.” What we can do is focus on that one common element we all share - Heathenism - and agree to treat our fellow Heathens with goodwill regardless of our differences. For the older ones among us, that goes double. We are the people to whom the young look as an example.
If you love our Magazine, you will love Uncle Thor's Lessons, Anecdotes and Humor. A daily message for Heathens and Pagans. A wonderful thought for the day, every day!
If you buy gifts, make Heathen products a priority. Heathen- and Pagan-owned businesses rely on the support of the community. Keep it Heathen by buying Heathen.
For articles, downloads, online classes and archives of past issues, see our main site: Uncle Thor's Artillery Park at http://www.thortrains.com/UncleThors/index.html
***
To email us, use thortrains@comcast.net
