#heathen values

Freedom and Autonomy

We recognize Freedom and Autonomy as an inherent human right. Everyone should have the right to determine their own beliefs, values, choices, and maintain personal autonomy of physical body and personal identity according to their own needs and well-being. To uphold and protect the rights of all people as described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is something that Forn Sidr of America represents throughout our beliefs and practices.

Responsibility to Community

We hold community second only to freedom and autonomy. The human experience is defined by our relationships with each other. We practice community when we share in these relationships an attitude of collaboration, alliance and support. We seek to establish community between ourselves and all other peoples upon the earth. Our commitment moves us to actively participate in all communities to which we belong, whether they be local, spiritual, provincial, national, global and universal, for the development and wellbeing of humanity.

We hold ourselves responsible to our community. This is defined as immediate religious communities, local communities, provincial communities, national communities, and our global community with other nations. No individual or society is self-sustaining, self-reliant or completely isolated – not in our history and not in our modern global community. Community involvement, action, and support is a core value of our faith.

Frith

Frith is a word from Old Norse, Middle English, and Anglo Saxon which promises Peace and Hospitality, Refuge, Security, and Goodwill between parties. These values are embodied in Forn Sidr and in Heathen Culture worldwide. Frith is a pledge to uphold the well-being and safety of those we extend it to while they are with us, either in our company or in our spaces. Frith is reserved for those that extend the same courtesy. Frith cannot apply to those that would promote violence, oppression, or discrimination towards others we hold under Frith.

Integrity

We hold ourselves accountable for the sincerity of our words and the defining qualities of our deeds; that they should reflect our moral principles and represent the whole of our character. Commitment to our personal integrity requires that we act in consistency with our words, values, and commitments, with constant self-examination to ensure their alignment; and when personal development and new awareness occurs, to adjust these in accordance with our convictions.

Diversity

We distinguish the inherent value of each individual within our global community as sacred. The celebration of what makes us all unique as individuals and what that diversity brings to community and society reflects the core values held by our Ancestors, Powers, and Deities. It is therefore core to our religious identity to promote and protect diversity of human agency and expression in all its forms. We acknowledge the presence of and are committed to overcoming our internalized racial, social, economic, and cultural biases as an integral part of our oath to Diversity and Inclusion.

Environmental Stewardship

We recognize the interconnected relationship that humans have with the earth; and that while we are a part of nature, we are also uniquely positioned to impact it on a larger scale than any other creature. We accept this potential for great impact with equal responsibility: to act in conscious understanding of how we care for, and interact with, our natural home and its other inhabitants. Responsible environmental stewardship requires direct and mindful action to reduce our impact, preserve ecosystems, and to reinvigorate communities and species that are under threat.

Compassion

OOF

Yeah they are, Rat. I’m sorry you didn’t know. The NNV were adapted from the Odinic Rite by Stephen McNallen for the Asatru Free Assembly (now the Asatru Folk Assembly or the AFA). 

Courage, Truth, Honour, Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Self Reliance, Industriousness, Perseverance. At first, these seem like just ordinary values. Except when you look at them the way they try to apply them to Heathenry. 

Courage in all situations isn’t necessarily accessible to everyone. Courage becomes excessively harder the less privilege you are afforded. Honor and Fidelity are used in a manner to establish hive mind thinking to the group. When they talk about honor and fidelity they really mean unwavering loyalty to their kindred and the white race. Hospitality? Again only to THE FOLK. Self-reliance, industriousness, and perseverance are when we get into the reeeally gross ones that drive the message home that “only young, able-bodied, neurotypical people are welcome” as these aren’t accessible to everyone for their whole lives. Self-reliance is unattainable for many. What about people who are disabled? The elderly? Industriousness is just another word for “hard-working” which is another way of saying that people have to contribute to society or they’re a drain on that society. Sound familiar? It’s fascist. And perseverance... while it’s good to persevere... judging people or telling them they are a bad Heathen for ceasing fruitless effort in the face of opposition and oppression is pretty fucked up. 

All of these are used in the ways described above by neo-Nazis, I’ve seen it first hand. While these are great virtues to have on an individual basis and with appropriate tempering with compassion and common sense, holding up these as “principles of heathenry” mean that many are set up to fail or better yet... they’re designed to exclude anyone but the strong, privileged, and those loyal to their fascist values.

It’s really unfortunate but many of the things people initially come to associate with Heathenry is really just fascism rebranded to be more palatable. They get there through a lot of over-romanticizing the ViKiNgS and archaic values all in the name of “returning to traditionalism.” 

If you’re looking for a different set of Heathen values, I’d suggest taking a look at Forn Sidr of America’s humanist tenets that were written so that they are accessible and uphold the value of all people, not just the select few.