Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t Mannaheim follow the Nine Noble Virtues (NNV)?

Aside from the fact that the NNVs originated with members of the British Union of Fascists and National Socialists, the Odinic Rite, the Asatru Folk Assembly, they are based on independent “rugged individualism” as opposed to being part of a collaborative, interdependent organization. Mannaheim is a collaborative, interdependent organization and uses "Tribal Values". 

What are the Tribal Values?

Our  tribal Values are: 

1. Autonomy; 2. Cooperativeness; 3. Courage; 4.  Generosity; 5. Honor; 6. Hospitality; 7. Family; 8. Frankness; 9. Friendship; 10. Moderation; 11. Simplicity; and, 12. Steadfastness. 

(See the Values Tab for more in-depth information).

What is Frith?

Frith means "peace". When diverse groups of Heathen-minded people get together, (at an All Thing for example) they "keep the peace". Their children play together, they break bread together, they Sumble... despite the fact that there is seething acrimony under the surface. This has been especially true following various national and heathen political events going back almost ten years. 

How does Mannaheim view Frith?

Frith can create a toxic environment because people remain silent when toxic or inappropriate behavior has or is occurring. Silence is consent. 

Frith can create a climate of dis-ingenuousness / insincerity / falseness.

Frith can keep people from having to make a hard decision about their positions on various social and political topics (and those of their friends).

Frith allows people to skirt the "We Are Our Deeds" issue and not hold their peers accountable. 

Does Mannaheim consider itself to be a Heathen group?

Yes, in that we embrace the Northern Pantheon and a Continental Version of the Seasonal Family Traditions enjoyed by our friends across the Atlantic…

No, because we are embarrassed by most of the North American Heathen community – we're uncomfortable with its overt “intellectual” snobbery, toxic doxing / book banning, blatant self-promotion, covert racism, transphobia, sexism, and lip service to “social justice” without drawing a line in the sand and picking a side. And, by picking a side, we mean, vote with your feet, your bank account, your voice, your ballot. Secondly, none of the above mentioned behaviors are things that you will find a lot of in Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, etc. That's not who they are. They are modest, kind, liberal, and among the most genial people on the planet. American Heathenry is a perversion similar to the Christian Evangelical movement.  

AND - we seem to have more in common with American Pagan Groups… American pagan groups tend to be more liberal, gender affirming, and welcoming to people of color, women, and different ways of thinking.  

What is the difference between Wanderer / Tribe?

A Wanderer is a “Rugged Individual.” American rugged individualism has its origins in the American frontier experience. Under such conditions, individuals had to provide for themselves to survive. This kind of environment forced people to work in isolation from the larger community and may have altered attitudes at the frontier in favor of individualistic thought over collectivism, and this has carried over into modern society.

Most people start in this position coming into the Kindred. Over time, by participating in events and experiencing group activities, they move from Wanderer (out-group) to Tribe (in-group). 

This transition from Wanderer to Tribe happens gradually, particularly post-COVID where we do a lot of things virtually. Americans tend to be very informal and are “quick to create familiarity”, especially if they feel comfortable and welcomed by the group. This is “false intimacy” (probably as a reaction to the abject loneliness affiliated with being a rugged individual) and while common in American culture, Mannaheim has its own timeline for advancing people and formally asking them to become members (and yes, it is somewhat subjective). 

In addition to having a resume of shared experiences, demonstrating an understanding of the Tribal Values, one must show signs that they have begun to transform their lives for the better because of being affiliated with the Kindred. 

Is Mannaheim inclusive?

Yes! When we talk about being an inclusive group, we mean that we welcome people from all walks of life; race to gender and sexuality (as long as they are not "haters") -- ALL are included. Everyone is included in rituals, group experiences, and group talks. We welcome and validate diverse points of view.

Does Mannaheim Differentiate between Male / Female Roles?

No. Mannaheim is "Non-gender Specific"in that people do what they are best at or feel called to do. No one is prevented from sitting on the high seat, doing dishes, putting up a tent, or taking out the garbage because of their gender. 

What are the “No No’s” of the Group?

Not an exhaustive list, but:

We don’t tolerate people creating power-plays, micro-aggressions, inciting discord, being rude / disrespectful or excluding others in the group.

We expect people to exercise self-control. It is disrespectful to come to events drunk, high, or in an altered state (or to drink to excess at our events). 

We’re not a dating pool. Both women and men should feel safe. 

We're not your therapist or your family doctor. See a professional. Take your medication.

We don’t need to know... For example, your sex life is your business. 

Don't be a jerk. Arrive early to help set up. Bring a dish to share. Help clean up afterward.

We respect people's pronouns and names. As a larger culture, we often make assumptions about people’s gender identities and the  pronouns they use based on our perception of their name or appearance.  Sometimes these assumptions are not accurate. Please let us know your preferred name and pronouns. 

Do you have to be Heathen to come to Mannaheim events? 

No, but during the ritual, we only hail the Norse Gods (and Taylor Swift).

Do you have to be a professed Heathen? 

No and, please don't profess unless you feel called to do so. Profession is deeply personal and can be a life altering experience. 

What does it mean to be a member of Mannaheim? 

Mannaheim is an actual "in real life" group. 

There is a lot involved in becoming a member of our Kindred. But, once you do become a member, you are a member for life, even if you move away. As long as you leave on good terms you will always be a member and be welcomed back. See our By-Laws in the PDF tab. 

We value members that have been with us for years that participate and have shared experiences with them. 

What do you believe?

Mannaheim embraces independent thought, critical thinking, the scientific method, scholarship, and UPG. We are always up for a lively discussion.

What is independent thought?

It's the ability to come up with original ideas and interpretations as well as having the confidence to draw on your own innate intelligence and depend on your own judgment. You have your own views and values and use them to come to your own conclusions about things without relying on others to tell you that you are right or wrong in your knowledge and beliefs. It draws on both the left (logic) and right (emotions) hemispheres of the brain. 

What is critical thinking? 

Critical thinking analyzes available facts, evidence, observations, and arguments to come to some sort of conclusion. It’s a left brained activity using rational, skeptical, and unbiased analyses and evaluation. 

What is the scientific method? 

The scientific method is an empirical method for acquiring knowledge that has characterized the development of science since at least the 17th century. It involves careful observation coupled with rigorous skepticism. It involves making conjectures (hypothetical explanations), deriving predictions from the hypotheses as logical consequences, and then carrying out experiments or empirical observations based on those predictions.

What is scholarship?

It is a method of academic study or achievement; learning of a high level. Typically, one becomes proficient in one or more topics over the course of a set time period or lifetime. 

What is UPG?

In the past it used to mean unsubstantiated personal gnosis. Today it means unverified personal gnosis. Either way, it's a nice way of telling someone that because scholars haven't deemed it to be true (due to their painstaking research and their uniquely qualified interpretation of "the Lore"), then it obviously isn't. "But how nice for you, that you had this experience... Bless your heart." 

It's a way to make people feel less confident about what they have experienced or what they believe to be true. It's a right brained activity and uniquely yours... (So, it's neither right nor wrong.) However, don't be surprised that if you surround yourself with open minded people, you may find that your "UPG" experiences might be similar... 

Do we honor Loki?

Yes. We also honor and acknowledge all personages and creatures in the Nine Realms and the Multiverse. See the study guide on the PDFs tab. 

What do people “have to know” (e.g. scholarship)?

Traditionally, Heathenry has been called "the religion with homework." And, that's great if you are a scholar, love to read, and have an affinity for archaic languages. But, if you are learning disabled, or challenged in some other way, then it can be difficult to figure out what's important. This is made far more difficult and confusing with all of the Heathen "influencers" shouting each other down and telling you that you're doing it wrong. 

Start with the basics. If a children's version of the Norse myths appeals to you, start with that. There are You Tube videos out there and we encourage you to include lectures (and scholarly articles) from Heathens across the Atlantic (in addition to American YouTube video hosts). Libraries are still free (and open most places). Get a library card and borrow books. Don't feel you have to buy new books. A library card also opens up the door to eBooks and narrator apps. Become acquainted with the modern Scandinavian and Germanic annualized family feasts and holidays. They have internalized the ancient traditions into the modern fabric of their lives.

What books or authors are banned by Mannaheim?

NONE!!! Read what and who you want. Banning books or authors are something that Fascists, Republicans, and Evangelicals would do. Just know that not all books or authors are equal. Use your own judgement and critical thinking.

What is Mannaheim’s position on the AFA?

It is undisputed that the Asatru Folk Assembly (AFA) is a white nationalist international Ásatrú organization.  According to the Southern Poverty Law center, “AFA leadership has often couched the group’s bigoted views in “cultural preservation”.” The AFA’s website states that “If the Ethnic European Folk cease to exist Asatru would likewise no longer exist. Let us be clear: by Ethnic European Folk we mean white people.”  Such beliefs in white genocide undergird the AFA’s adherence to ethnocentrism and rigid gender roles, two through lines connecting AFA’s ideology to that of the broader far right.

“Being a Confederate is no longer about where you live or even on which side your ancestors fought. You can be from Ohio or Pennsylvania or New York because what is now happening in New Orleans and elsewhere in the South, is your battle, too. The same interests that are demanding an ISIS-like erasure of history when it comes to the statues of Confederate heroes are the same forces tightening the leftist and globalist stranglehold on y’all up in the North, and those of you out West, and those of you from coast to coast and around the world. They’re the people who believe racism must be extinguished even if it means white people need to be extinguished. The same people who attribute white success to white privilege. The people who think that Black lives matter, but blue ones not so much. The people who want more immigration for the precise reason that it will ensure a non-white majority in America. … These people are not just after Southerners, they’re after you too.” – Sept. 2, 2020, video posted by the Asatru Folk Assembly on Bitchute, titled “The Attack on the Confederacy – We are all Confederates Now!”

(Mannaheim welcomes and values people from all walks of life. People love who they love; people are who they are; people deserve to be acknowledged and supported regardless of their national origin, race, gender, identity, or sexuality. People have the right to coexist peacefully without feeling ashamed or living in fear because they are “Not white or heterosexual”. Our lives are enriched by diversity in culture, beliefs, and world view.)

What is Mannaheim’s position on the Troth (USA)?

The Troth defines itself as a religious organization of Germanic Heathenry open to all the forms of the religion international in scope, with training clergy, promoting cooperation and community, and providing information and educational publications as objectives. The Troth publishes a quarterly journal called Idunna, an annual Old Heathen's Almanac, and a handbook called Our Troth. (Ref: Wikipedia)

It's our opinion that it's a toxic practice to consistently promote certain authors, who just might happen to be Troth members (and exclude others, including well-established ones who are not). First, it’s insulting to infer that people are not intelligent enough to read a book and form their own opinion about it and the author’s intent, and secondly, it stymies content diversity in what is being “offered” to Heathens for their own edification and consumption. Over time this practice appears to have created a homogenized content and limited overall cultural awareness as to what may be available to read outside of the “Troth’s Approved Reading List”. To continue to grow and evolve, Heathenry must have a diversity of thought and include more international authors. 

Lastly, and most importantly, Mannaheim has consistently been an independent Kindred, purposely unaffiliated with ANY organization. Over the years, people within with the Troth’s leadership (both in Virginia and at the National level) used their position to work against our organization because we refused to “join” the Troth. Several incidents (witnessed by others outside of our organization) occurred that were reported directly to Troth leadership in person. At the time of our reports, we were told by Troth leadership that the harassment would stop once we joined the organization. While things may have improved for others, and we have friends outside of Mannaheim that are members of the Troth, we remain staunchly independent (and anti-Troth).

(Mannaheim feels that we are on the cusp of a “Me Too!” moment…)

What is Mannaheim’s position on Declaration 127?

From Wikipedia: As a result of the discriminatory activities of the AFA, numerous organizations sought to produce a document refuting these beliefs and the characterization that they represented these faiths. The product was Declaration 127:

The Asatru Folk Assembly (hereinafter referred to as the AFA) has a long and well-documented history of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, sexuality, and gender identity. In a recent statement the AFA declared point blank that non-white and LGBT Heathens were not welcome in their tradition. While the undersigned organizations listed here fully recognize the AFA’s right to govern themselves as they see fit, and with full autonomy, we hereby exercise the same right.

We will not promote, associate, or do business with the AFA as an organization so long as they maintain these discriminatory policies.

The AFA’s views do not represent our communities. We hereby declare that we do not condone hatred or discrimination carried out in the name of our religion, and will no longer associate with those who do. We will not grant the tacit approval of silence in the name of frið, to those who would use our traditions to justify prejudice on the basis of race, nationality, orientation, or gender identity.

The AFA is free to stand for whatever principles it sees fit.

They are free to stand alone.

This declaration has been criticized for its specific focus on the AFA, and efforts have been made to expand it. 

(To echo the statement above, Mannaheim felt that Declaration 127 didn’t go far enough. It was just words and required no action. As a group we voted not to sign for that reason. We did, however, became more conscious of where we spent our money, which vendors we supported to ensure that we weren’t inadvertently supporting anyone or organization with a non-inclusive ideology.)  

What is Mannaheim’s position of the Declaration of Deeds?

Declaration of Deeds:

We heathens, pagans, followers of the old ways, we are more than the choices that brought us into being; we are more than our orlay. Instead, we are our deeds, we are the choices we make and not those chosen for us. In acknowledgement of this we declare the following points:

I. We endeavor to be better than our forebears. Their society was a product of its time and was often deeply flawed, but their religious belief in the gods we hold to be timeless. We endeavor to reconstruct their religion, not the flaws in their society.

II. Our religion gives no basis for discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or origin; the gods have nothing to say on the matter of race. We maintain that a person’s race, ethnicity, or origin does not impede their ability to participate in our religion or our group.

III. Our religion gives no basis for discrimination based on gender, including gender identity, or discrimination based on sex; our religion has divine and powerful goddesses and gods who are themselves complex at best. We maintain that a person’s gender or sex does not impede their ability to participate in our religion or our group.

IV. Our religion gives no basis for discrimination based on sexual orientation; the gods we worship do not always conform to one orientation or another and still hold their positions and importance regardless of their sexuality. We maintain that a person’s sexual orientation does not impede their ability to participate in our religion or our group.

V. Deeds matter to our communities and to our gods, deeds are the foundations of our reputations. We maintain that the basis we are to be judged on is through our actions and our deeds and not merely through circumstances beyond our control.

We are charged in the Havamal to speak out against evil when we see evil; bigotry and discrimination based on the chances of our birth is just such an evil. We heathens, pagans, followers of the old ways; we join our voices in unison with this our Declaration of Deeds, that we may declare that the chances of our birth that are beyond our control have no bearing on our ability to participate in this religion nor to lead full spiritual lives, but rather that in all cases it is our actions and deeds that truly matter.

Ref: https://declarationofdeeds.com/

(Similar to Declaration 127, the Declaration of Deeds doesn’t require action other than “speaking out”. As a group we voted not to sign for that reason. We are very clear where the line is for us. We don’t associate with racists; we don’t associate with people who are affiliated with hate groups (or their friends); and, we don’t financially support any person or entity that spouts hate-filled ideology. For example, we don’t shop at Hobby Lobby, eat at Chick-fil-A, or frequent establishments that refuse to serve all customers equally.) 

What is Mannaheim’s position on the January 6th, 2021, United States Capitol attack?

These are the facts: The United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., was attacked by a mob of supporters of then-U.S. president Donald Trump, two months after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. More than 2,000 rioters entered the building, with many vandalizing and looting, including the offices of then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Congress members. They sought to keep Trump in power by occupying the Capitol and preventing a joint session of Congress counting the Electoral College votes to formalize the victory of President-elect Joe Biden. The attack was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the certification of the election results. According to the bipartisan House select committee that investigated the incident, the attack was the culmination of a seven-part plan by Trump to overturn the election. Within 36 hours, five people died: one was shot by Capitol Police, another died of a drug overdose, and three died of natural causes, including a police officer. Many people were injured, including 174 police officers. Four officers who responded to the attack died by suicide within seven months. Damages caused by attackers exceeded $2.7 million. 

We ask people’s opinion of that day as a Mannaheim Facebook group “gate keeping” question. Facebook is typically the way we get acquainted with people. We have weekly zoom calls to vet new people before inviting them into our homes.  It’s a simple question, yet we are incredulous at the number of people who are unable to answer it or who don’t have an opinion about it or are comfortable sharing their answer. 

(Tyr is the god of “Right Action” and of Justice. The Tiwaz rune resembles an arrow, a spear, or a sword. It is no accident that the far right has bastardized and appropriated the Tiwaz rune among others. KNOW THIS: Democracy depends on right action and justice. January 6th, 2021, was a treasonous act and people affiliated with its planning, directed activities and results should be held accountable – no matter who they are. Many of them had sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States; they are Oath Breakers.)