The Nature of Asatru: An Overview of the Ideals and Philosophy of the Indigenous Religion of Northern Europe. Paperback – March 22, 2006

There seems to be a great controversy with this book, so I will try to clear the air up here. Sorry about a little diatribe, which is actually quite lengthy. The idea of racism in this book is misunderstood, and regardless of what a few other reviewers have written, Mark Puryear doesn't make this issue so dominant in this work. It should also be noted in the offset of my review that I see Puryear not as espousing racial ideology, but in describing the Northern Path (aka Heathenry, or Asatru) through the eyes of an ethnic religion, much like Judaism is ethnic, or the traditions that come from the American Indian, or even African tribal religions, Hinduism, etc, etc.... The Nordic (Teutonic) traditions are the path of Indo-Europeans. Let me explain, then I will get to how I personally feel about these issues and why I give this book 4 stars.

Chapter 6 is all about an approach to the "folkish" ways that reveals the author's idea of "mutual respect" for all of humanity, including ourselves. Puryear is not saying white people are superior. He denies this idea emphatically throughout the book. He even states that thinking in these ways is part of the problem, not the solution. But that is just one part. The other problem is that we feel bad about who we are, our own ancestry and color of skin, due to political correctness so prevalent in this part of the world. Puryear offers the solution of seeing everybody as equal, with everyone's heritage as being spiritually valid. With that said, what goes well with a particular individual is their own heritage, their own VALID spiritual path. We've got ours. Everyone has their own. This is not racist thinking. It could very well be called "separatist." Seeing everyone with equally, while acknowledging differences between us (i.e. men are different from women; children --while they are still children-- are different from adults) shows us as being respectful and even considerate of others. In other words, our ways are not better or worse than anyone else's. Considering all of this, it doesn't add up to conclude that Mark Puryear is a racist bigot.

I do not agree with Puryear on some of these issues, however. Interracial marriage is one of these that I disagree with. On homosexuality, I also take a different opinion on. I personally feel that if someone truly loves another person (regardless of gender or race) both should be entitled to marry each other, or at least show a commitment to one another, ideally lasting a lifetime. Even so, Puryear writes his observation and experiences down very clearly. He lays down the reasons why he feels that we should be "separated" along these lines, that we heathens should or could be "community conscious" expanding our own "ethnic community" to future generations. In all fairness, however, he does say that we shouldn't "judge" others because they feel differently.

Again, if this is racism, then several ethnic groups do indeed promote racist ideas. This would make American Indians guilty of racism. African Americans (though these days some have "lighten up" on this issue) are guilty of this. Jews would also be guilty of this. Asian Indians, aka the Hindu, are also guilty of racism.... I see no evidence that this is racist talking. This is about extending the community into the future. Though I see nothing wrong in interracial marriages in of themselves, I am not "threatened" by anyone who thinks we shouldn't. I can definitely respect Mr. Puryear on this point. I most certainly would not see a Jewish rabbi seeking to find only Jewish mates for his local synagogue members to be racist. That is just how it is. IT IS BECAUSE THE OLDER THE RELIGION, THE MORE COMMUNITY BASED IT IS BOUND TO BE. I make these caps to emphasize, not to yell. This makes sense, because back in the day, people needed each other if they were going to survive.

A note on ethnic religions would probably be appropriate here. This is just my opinion. If someone were to become Jewish (I pick Judaism because here in America, many of us are familiar with that religion) but is not Jewish themselves, they would go through a process of initiation. This would include things like knowing at least a little Hebrew, becoming familiar with the Rabbinic teachings throughout thousands of years, getting involved in several aspects of the community (i.e. holidays and festivals unique to Judaism), getting to know the customs (like dietary habits) and then there is circumcision for the males. That circumcision is but one factor that would show commitment to the religion. This is logical if one were to think about it. An ethnic community wouldn't want to open their doors to just anyone outside their group. People would just come and go as they please, bringing in all kinds of confusion and blurring the lines that makes that community so unique. All of the methods of initiation (not just the circumcision) would take time and dedication to learn and master. If any outsider is serious about any of this stuff, they would go through this process.

If this is what we mean by "ethnic religion" then please count me in. If anyone is not ethnically "Teutonic" then there should be a process in which they could enter in. Learning a Teutonic language would be a step in. Because just about every American knows one language (ENGLISH! if one must ask), then by virtue of being American or Canadian or Australian or anything like that, then one is already more than halfway in, regardless of race. All that would be left is learning the customs (which again, living in these countries...) and the ways of the Ancient (in which many of us Americans have to learn anyway, because most of us were not born into the religion).

In considering all of this, about the only thing that I am really puzzled by is the looking down on homosexuality. One can't help what one prefers. If I hate boiled spinach, then there is really nothing I can do to change that. Likewise if I were left handed, it would be quite silly of me to try to write with my right hand and expect it to be even more articulate than what is natural to me. Same way with sexual orientation, but then again, I have to admit, it is a rare bird to see an ancient belief system that does put the label "taboo" on certain sexual matters, mainly orientation.

Just because I disagree with Puryear on one. two or maybe three issues, that does not mean that I dislike the book. Puryear actually has a lot of great ideas squirreled up in there. His ideas on community and doing services toward that end, not expecting anything in return, is a breath of fresh air when it comes down to the Heathen community. We help others because in a sense, they are actually an extension of ourselves. THIS IS A WONDERFUL IDEA and I hope to hear more people espouse this as a virtue. His ideas of individualism is also spot on. I, too, have seen where the attitudes of "Me first," along with, "Me and only me," alienates us from everyone else. This is the source of a lot of other problems. Addictions, detachments, indifference, etc, etc, all come from this core issue. Puryear seems to be very consistent with what a lot of our ancestors would have thought. I would highly suspect that if the Ancients were to be here today, they may agree a lot with what this book is saying.

All in all.... This is a good book. At least 4 stars, maybe 5. What the "hel." I'll give it a 5, because even I admit that I could be wrong sometimes.

If you're even slightly interested in Asatru or even wondering how the ancients used to live and practice, pick up this book! Those of us who are leaning toward the change should have no problem spending the 20 dollars necessary to begin to grasp the wisdom of our ancestors. This book is beautifully written, well developed, and easy to understand. You may not agree with everything said, in fact, thats part of the religion, but a majority of the information will open your eyes, change your world, and strengthen your heart. I would recommend this to anyone who is of Nordic, Germanic, Celtic,or Slavic heritage (That includes Anglo-Saxon too) as a way for people to better understand their roots, or even understand themselves (one must understand that the pantheon is all the same, yet the lingusitic and cultural differences caused differences in the names and slight variations in stories and traditions). When you finish the book, you start to understand the blood flowing in your veins, and understand who you are, and the rich lifestyle of our collective past. So stop reading my review and start reading the book!

Mark has written from someone who has transformed himself through Heathenry and studied deeper. Unlike most, he does not claim to be a be all end all. It is great for new people as well as old in the Heathen movement no matter which path you take (Asatru, Odinism or even the Theodish could glean a little off of Mark's work).

You can listen to the white wash of people who have not read it or are too busy playing up to organizations and skip it, which would be an error on your behalf.

I have no hesitation in recommending this overdue introduction to the Northern European indigenous religion of Asatru (otherwise known as Odinism). Anyone who has ever wondered why contemporary people of Nordic ancestry are attracted to the spiritual path of their forebears will find this book to be accessibly written but intellectually sound, honest but

compassionate, and folkish in the most morally-positive way. Unfortunately, most academic treatments of this topic tend to subject our ancestral spirituality to modes of enquiry that are unhelpful - such as Marxist, feminist and various post-modern approaches. Meanwhile, New Age books on the subject often tend to misrepresent it entirely. Mark Puryear explains the Nordic religious tradition with the patience of a true believer who wants only to explain his faith. My one hesitation in giving this book five stars is that there are a few word-processing errors. They are irritating but not important, and no doubt they will be corrected in future editions.

Puryear does an excellent job outlining the tenets that our ancestors followed and steamrolls all the new age philosophy which unfortunately permeates our faith. The 1 star reviews reflects the uninformed minorIty that needs to move on to new age paganism rather than infect our centuries old traditions. If you want accurate interpretations of our lore and knowledgeble opinion then get this book. If you're looking for a book that misrepresents our ancestors and wants everone to sing kumbayah while betraying our ancestral heritage then keep on looking.

This is an excellent book, primarily addressing practical and contemporary matters rather than lore and legend, and therefore well-adapted to explain the Asatru or Odinist folkway to a beginner or a curious investigator. It does not cover much of the mythology or esoteric practices of the religion, but I understand these will be addressed by later volumes.

"Homosexuality or promiscuity is not 'against god', or anything like that, it is something that we choose not to accept because of the harm it brings to our people." -pg. 55

"We would practice mutual respect even with those who have sexual unions with those outside their race, no matter how much we may disagree with this." -pg 103-104