Ásatrúarfélagið

Ásatrúarfélagið

Formation	1972
Type	Ásatrú, Icelandic folk faith
Location	Reykjavík
Membership	3187
Founder	Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson
Key people	Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, Jóhanna G. Harðardóttir, Kári Pálsson
Website	http://www.asatru.is/

The Ásatrúarfélagið (English: Ásatrú Fellowship) is an Icelandic religious association of the Germanic folk religion (Ásatrú, "faith of the Æsir") with the purpose of promoting and continuing Norse paganism. It was founded on the First Day of Summer, 1972, and granted recognition as a registered religious organization in 1973, allowing it to conduct legally binding ceremonies and collect a share of the church tax.

The organization was led by farmer and poet Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson from 1972 until his death in 1993. During most of this period membership did not exceed 100 people and after the initial enthusiasm faded, there was little activity. The time of the next high priest, Jörmundur Ingi Hansen (1994–2002), saw considerable growth and activity, including the design of an Ásatrú burial ground. These trends have continued under the present high priest, musician Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson (2003-), and as of 2016 the organization has 3187 registered members, about one third of whom are women.^[1] In the beginning of 2015, members were 2675 which means that during one year, the count of members grew by 512 (19%), a faster growth than the Ásatrú society had ever experienced before. ^[2]

Ásatrúarfélagið does not have a fixed religious dogma or theology but the high priests have tended towards a pantheistic worldview. The central ritual is the communal blót feast but the priests (goðar) also conduct name-giving ceremonies, coming of age rituals, weddings and funerals. The organization has on some occasions taken a stance on political issues, including abortion rights, gay marriage, the separation of church and state, and environmental issues. The organisation is a founding member of the European Congress of Ethnic Religions.

History

Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson and other members of Ásatrúarfélagið walk to a blót at Þingvellir in the summer of 2009.

Origins

The idea to found a folk religious organization came about in late winter 1972 in discussions in a café in Reykjavík. The four men who would become the organization's early leaders and ideologues were Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson, a farmer and a traditionalist poet, Jörmundur Ingi Hansen, a jack of all trades and a prominent person in the Reykjavík hippie movement, Dagur Þorleifsson, a journalist and active member of the Reykjavík theosophy lodge, and Þorsteinn Guðjónsson, leader of Félag Nýalssinna, an organization devoted to the theories of Helgi Pjeturss.^[3][4][5]

Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson described the founding of Ásatrúarfélagið as based on a belief in hidden forces in the land and connected to "the desire that Icelanders could have their own faith, and nourish it no less than imported religions".^[6] Dagur Þorleifsson emphasized that the religion constituted a movement back to nature, seeking refuge from the ills of industrial civilization.^[7] One observer traces the origins of the organization to the countercultural and religious waves of the time, as well as to nationalism and the widespread Icelandic interest in spiritism, theosophy and elves.^[8]

The Ásatrú organization was formed on the First Day of Summer 1972 in a meeting at Hótel Borg. In a meeting shortly thereafter Sveinbjörn was chosen as chairman and dubbed allsherjargoði.^[3]

Recognition

Shortly before Christmas 1972, Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson and Þorsteinn Guðjónsson visited Ólafur Jóhannesson, minister of justice and ecclesiastical affairs, and expressed interest in registering Ásatrúarfélagið as an official religious organization. The minister at first believed that the request was a joke but when Sveinbjörn and Þorsteinn told him that they were serious he requested additional paperwork. According to Sveinbjörn, shortly after he and Þorsteinn exited the ministry, the lights in the center of town went out due to a thunderstorm, leaving the minister sitting in the dark.^[9] The newspaper Vísir wrote about this in a jocular tone, noting that "the representatives of the Ásatrúarmenn got rather vague answers from the minister, — and apparently that's what Thor the thunder god thought as well, because as the visit was at an end and the minister stood up to follow the guests to the door there was a terrible thunder in the center of Reykjavík, causing damage close to the office of the ministry".^[10]

Sigurbjörn Einarsson, Bishop of Iceland, recommended to the ministry that the organization not be granted recognition. In a written opinion, later published, the bishop pointed out that the Icelandic constitution granted everyone a right to "found organizations to serve god"^[11][12] and that this assumed a monotheistic outlook. Sigurbjörn cited the opinion of legal scholar Einar Arnórsson, published in 1912, that "polytheistic religious organizations founded [in Iceland] would therefore not be protected by the constitution".^[12][13] Sigurbjörn further criticized the application for not including the declaration of an individual stating that he would assume the leadership of the organization. He criticized the organization for having vague teachings and for not including clear documents on them. He also pointed out that the organization had no dedicated house of worship.^[12]

In Sigurbjörn's opinion the most significant effort to revive Germanic folk religion happened in Nazi Germany and was connected to the racial ideology of that regime. He pointed out that the present applicants had hitherto considered themselves followers of the Nýall theories of Helgi Pjeturss and that these theories contained the same racial elements as the Nazi ideology.^{[12][note 1][note 2]} The bishop expressed concern over the possible moral teachings of an Ásatrú organization, in particular as regarded individualism, polygamy and security of person. Finally he pointed out that the group applying for recognition was small, consisting of 21 individuals.^[12] Morgunblaðið, Iceland's biggest daily newspaper, declared its agreement with the bishop in an editorial. The paper stated that the Christian faith was the "basis of Icelandic society" and that "Christ is enough, though he was not enough for Hitler, Stalin or their followers".^[21]

In the Asatruers' reply to the bishop's criticism they argued that even Christianity had some polytheistic elements and that Ásatrú could include a belief in a Supreme Being. They denied any association with national socialism and argued that it was doubtful that the Third Reich had any genuine Asatruers while it was certain that a number of Christian sects had cooperated with the Nazis.^[22]

Ásatrúarfélagið was officially recognized as a religious organization by the Icelandic government in May, 1973.^[23] This gives it the legal right to perform marriages and other ceremonies and also entitles it to a share of the church tax in proportion to its number of adult members.

In the Althing, Halldór Blöndal and Magnús Jónsson, members of the Independence Party, requested an explanation for why Ólafur Jóhannesson had given legal recognition to Ásatrúarfélagið. The minister defended his decision on the grounds that the constitution granted freedom of association and freedom of religion. Magnús Jónsson argued that the constitution applied freedom of religion only to monotheistic religions and that the recognition of an organization practicing polytheism and idol worship was thus an illegal act. The minister countered that legal scholars had debated whether the clause applied to polytheism.^{[24][note 3]}

In 1975, the Althing changed the law in a way that made it more difficult for new religious organizations to gain recognition.^[26]

First allsherjargoði (1972-1993)

Number of members in Ásatrúarfélagið as a function of time

On August 5, 1973, Ásatrúarfélagið held the first public outdoor blót (plural same as singular) in Iceland since public blót were forbidden by law in the year 1000. The event was held at Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson's farm at Dragháls in pelting rain below a plaster statue of the god Thor made by Jörmundur Ingi Hansen. The blót was described by the newspaper Vísir as "vigorous and energetic"^[27] while Sigurður A. Magnússon commented that the historic significance of the event had not been matched by the quality of the ceremony, "It could hardly have been simpler or more pedestrian".^[28]

Ásatrúarfélagið had received extensive media coverage even in its very early formative stages and by the time of the first public blót that attention extended to foreign media and had become disproportionate to the scale of the event with about as many journalists as participants attending.^[29][30][31]

Early on, the organization had ambitious plans for building a temple, getting a burial ground, and dividing the land into goðorð, led by individual goðar.^[32] However, membership in the organization did not increase as quickly as these goals would have necessitated. In 1973 Ásatrúarfélagið had 58 registered members, in 1974 it had 70 and in 1976 it had 77. As its leaders realized that the organization's more ambitious goals could not be quickly achieved, the society settled down to a low level of activity.^[32][33] In 1983 a blót had not been held for three years, but one was arranged to provide the makers of a documentary with material.^[34][35]

By the mid-80s, membership in the organization started to rise every year. In 1985 there were 74 members and by 1992 membership had risen to 119. At that point the organization decided that the time had come for increased activity.^[36] The same year, Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson published his autobiography.^[37]

Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson acted as allsherjargoði from 1972 until his death in December 1993. He lived a simple life on a farm without modern luxuries. A popular grandfatherly figure he was "a little eccentric and shy in his role as a media spokesman".^[38] He left a lasting impression in people's minds.

Second allsherjargoði (1994-2002)

Jörmundur Ingi is sworn in as allsherjargoði in July 1994.

In late 1993, Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson died and in 1994, elections were held for a new allsherjargoði. The candidates were Jörmundur Ingi Hansen and Haukur Halldórsson. Jörmundur Ingi ran on a platform of continuity while Haukur promised more innovation.^[39] Jörmundur Ingi won with 59 votes against 34.^[40]

While Jörmundur was, like Sveinbjörn, an older man knowledgeable in ancient literature, he differed from his predecessor in his greater skill at dealing with the media.^[41] Jörmundur's time as allsherjargoði saw a rapid rise in membership in the organization, going from 172 in 1994 to 628 in 2002. Jörmundur's time also saw an increase in the percentage of women members, going from 13% in 1994 to 21% in 2002.

In 1999, the organization achieved one of its oldest goals of having a burial ground of its own. The burial ground was designed by Jörmundur Ingi and the first burial took place the same year.

In the summer of 2000, on the occasion of the 1000 year commemoration of the Christianisation of Iceland, the Icelandic state and the Church of Iceland organized a celebration at Þingvellir. Ásatrúarfélagið had its own annual blót at Þingvellir at the same time, leading to conflict over the use of facilities with some underlying ideological tensions.^[42] In the end, more than 1000 people participated in Ásatrúarfélagið's summer event, more than in any previous ceremony by the organization.^[43]

In 2000, Ásatrúarfélagið passed the Buddhist Association of Iceland and the Icelandic Bahá'i Community to become Iceland's largest non-Christian religious organization.

The growth of the organization brought with it increased complexity and internal disputes.^[44]

Third and fourth allsherjargoðar (2002-)

Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, fourth allsherjargoði, at a ceremony in June 2009

In 2002, the board of directors sacked Jörmundur and installed Jónína Kristín Berg (born 1962) as temporary allsherjargoði.^[45] In 2003, musician Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson (born 1958), was chosen as allsherjargoði. As of 2015, he remains in office. The demographic trends of previous years have continued. The number of members went from 628 in 2002 to 2675 in 2012 while the percentage of women has gone from 21% in 2002 to 34% in 2015.^[46]

In 2005, a decision was made to sell the organization's property. The property had increased substantially in value since it was bought in 1998. The profit from the sale made building a temple a realistic option^[47] and an application for a plot of land was sent to the Reykjavík city council. Processing of the application took longer than the organization had hoped for due to political instability in Reykjavík.^[48][49] In January 2008, a plot of land was finally granted in Öskjuhlíð.^[50] Ásatrúarfélagið commissioned five architects to present proposals for a temple building. Those were ready in September 2008.^[51] The organization lost a substantial amount of money in the collapse of the Icelandic banks in October 2008 but is still proceeding with study of different options for a temple building.^[52] It was announced in February 2015 that the temple construction will start in early 2015.^[53]

In 2006, the Ministry of Justice increased the number of Ásatrú priests allowed to conduct legally binding ceremonies from two (the allsherjargoði and his substitute) to five.^[54] Two of those five priests are women.^[55]

Beliefs and theology

The Ásatrú graveyard in Reykjavík

The website of Ásatrúarfélagið (as of 2009) defines Ásatrú as belief "in the Icelandic/Nordic folklore, the spirits and entities the folklore represents, in addition to gods and other beings from the Nordic pantheism".^[56]

From the beginning, Ásatrúarfélagið has not had any fixed religious dogma or theology. Individual members have various beliefs (there are, for example, a number of Wiccan members).^[57] Though members are not expected to follow the lead of any religious authority, all the high priests have publicly expressed their personal beliefs at one point or another.

Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson summarized his religious convictions in his autobiography, saying that he had not a simple religious conviction but a "somewhat unquiet faith".^[58]

My faith is based on a constant search but I don't search frantically. It's no use to rush out into space to search for some gods there, if they want to have anything to do with me, they will come. I have often become aware of them, but I don't rush after them or shout at them. I have gotten to know them a bit in myself and also in other people. ... Primarily it is the effects of the great force felt by everyone that make me religious. ... The most remarkable thing about faith is that it gives us growth, the possibility to grow and thrive. And humility cannot be neglected. Without it we cannot live to any useful degree, though of course it has its particular place. But a man who is completely without it is a madman.^[59]

In a 1992 interview, Jörmundur Ingi Hansen expressed his views on various theological subjects, including the nature of the gods and the basis of his Ásatrú beliefs.

From my perspective, the world is split into two in its nature, divided into constructive forces, the Æsir, and the destructive forces which we call jötnar. ... Ásatrú or heathenry is basically only to realize this dichotomy and to decide to side with the Æsir. The best way to do that, in my opinion, is to be self-consistent, live in harmony with nature, associate with it with respect and to submit to the public order. ... The gods shape the dwelling places of people, the earth and the solar system out of the material that already exists. To that extent we can look on the forces of nature as the gods themselves and to a large extent that is what people did in antiquity.^[60]

In a 1996 interview, Jónína K. Berg said:

Ásatrú is a pantheistic belief. The earth, the air and the water has great value to us. We are a part of the earth and not its masters.^[61]

In a 2003 interview, Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson summarized his faith.

I believe in a higher power which appears to us in the multiplicity of nature and of human life. We have manifestations of certain primal forces which we regard as gods and we have a division in the roles of the gods. These are powers that are visible, half-visible and sometimes invisible. One could have a long scholarly discussion on the role of individual gods, but in the end this is a question of a feeling for the different aspects of life. ^[62]

“	Monotheism is one truth for the masses, but polytheism is many truths for the individual.	”
	— Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, interviewed in 2010

Blót and other rituals

Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson at a blót in 1991

The central ritual performed by Ásatrúarfélagið is the communal blót feast. A blót starts with a goði hallowing the ceremony with a certain formula and declaring a truce between all present. This is followed by the reciting or chanting of verses from the Poetic Edda. Next, a drinking horn is passed around and participants drink to the gods, the wights and the ancestors. Libations are offered. This initial part of the ceremony, often conducted outdoors, is followed by a communal feast, typically indoors. The feast is often accompanied by musical performances or other forms of entertainment.^[63][64][65]

In the early days of the movement, the founders were asked whether they conducted ritual slaughter of animals during blót. The general response was that while this would not be morally problematic it was not practical.^[66][67] Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson commented:

No, for the simple reason that we can't be bothered. It's far easier to just get a carcass so that's what we do. In earlier times it was normal to slaughter the animal in place because people couldn't store meat. But in modern circumstances it's completely unnecessary and too much trouble."^[68]

Nevertheless, during the first public blót "a sympathizing visual artist brought along a live cock and had it beheaded in the kitchen, while the lamb was being cooked".^[66]

The four main blót are Jólablót ("Yule blót") on the winter solstice, Sigurblót ("Victory blót") on the First Day of Summer, Sumarblót ("Summer blót") on the summer solstice, and Veturnáttablót ("Winter Nights blót") on the First Day of Winter. The organization also holds Þorrablót and individual goðar hold local blót on various occasions.^[64]

Other rituals include name-giving ceremonies, siðfesta (a coming of age ritual), weddings and burials. The first Ásatrú name-giving ceremony took place in November 1973.^[69] Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson performed the first Ásatrú wedding ceremony in August 1977, marrying Dagur Þorleifsson and Ingibjörg Hjartardóttir.^[65][70] Since 1999, the organization has its own burial ground and several burials have taken place.^[71]

As a part of the Jólablót, children light candles to celebrate the rebirth of the sun.^[72] The organization has intermittently run a Sunday school and a youth group.^[73]

Politics and activism

In June 1974 Ásatrúarfélagið issued a press release opposing the legalization of abortion and recommending strict punishment for distributors of narcotics.^[74][75] In April 1975 there was another press release opposing abortion, this time noting that the battle for legalization of abortion could be "traced to international movements opposed to the Nordic nations and in particular to the Nordic race".^[76][77] A few days later, Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson stated that this latter press release did not have its origins in any legal meeting of Ásatrúarfélagið and only represented the private opinions of its author.^[78]

In the following years, Ásatrúarfélagið mostly did not involve itself in political questions, though individual members did. Having been unable to advance his racial ideology within Ásatrúarfélagið, Þorsteinn Guðjónsson in 1982 founded a separate organization, Norrænt mannkyn ("Nordic Race"), to lobby for the reduction of immigration and banning of abortion.^[79][80] Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson was active in the peace movement, erecting a níðstöng against nuclear power in 1985.^[81]

Summarizing her 1991 study of Germanic folk religion, literary scholar Stefanie von Schnurbein describes Ásatrúarfélagið as a "mix of individualistic anarchists, atheistic church opponents, and racist spiritualists".^[82] In a 2001 study of Ásatrú in Iceland, anthropologist María Erlendsdóttir disagreed, pointing out that von Schnurbein's field research included only two interviews with members of the organization and arguing that this was "not enough to give sound grounds to her accusations".^[83] She further argued that "the heavy accusations of Von Schnurbein contradict certain clues that Ásatrúarfélagið has an open mind to people of other cultures and races"^[84] and concluded that "Icelandic paganism in contemporary society has strong roots within folk belief and literary tradition".^[85]

In a 2000 study of Ásatrúarfélagið, religious studies scholar Michael Strmiska noted that "Ásatrú movements in America and Scandinavia have been known to espouse racist and Neo-Nazi ideology" but that he was "not aware of any member of Icelandic Ásatrú espousing such sentiments or ideology".^[86]

Since early on, environmentalism has been important to members of Ásatrúarfélagið^[87] and the organization has been active in environmentalist causes. In October 2003, Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson erected a níðstöng against the Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Plant.^[88] Jóhanna G. Harðardóttir, a goði, wrote on the occasion: "We have come to call upon gods and good wights. We intend to ask for mercy for our land and we intend to erect a níðstöng to those who dishonor their mother, the earth."^[89]

Since 2007, Ásatrúarfélagið participates in forest reclamation in Heiðmörk with the Icelandic Forestry Association.^[90]

The organization has fought for the right to marry gay couples.^[91][92]

Ásatrúarfélagið has fought for the separation of church and state,^[93] and for a share in a fund currently only accessible to the National Church. The Church supports the latter effort.^[94] Ásatrúarfélagið cooperates on issues of common concern with other Icelandic religious organizations,^[95] in particular the Reykjavík Free Church.^[93][96]

In 2003, Sigurjón Þórðarson, an active member of Ásatrúarfélagið and a goði, was elected to the Althing for the Liberal Party. When asked if his faith shaped the way he approached laws and the structure of government he replied: "I’m in favour of separating faith and law, but I do think that faith marks the individual."^[97]

In August 2014 Ásatrúarfélagið issued a statement against the abuse of their name and their religion:

We strongly oppose any attempt by individuals to use their association with the Ásatrúarfélagið of Iceland to promote attitudes, ideologies and practices rejected by the leadership of the Ásatrúarfélagið. We particularly reject the use of Ásatrú as a justification for supremacy ideology, militarism and animal sacrifice. It should also be known that visitors have no authority to speak on our behalf. There is no advisor to the Ásatrúarfélagið and there is no spokesman other than our allsherjargoði. We respectfully request that visitors not claim any such authority based on their association with us.^[98]

See also

• Ásatrú holidays
• Huldufólk
• Norse paganism
• Religion in Iceland

Notes

1. In his youth, the bishop was himself a Nýall follower and, in his own words "wholeheartedly pagan".^[14]
2. A number of Ásatrúarfélagið's founders participated in Nýall activities,^[15][16] though not all of them did so. Conversely, not all Nýall followers joined Ásatrúarfélagið.^[17]
   Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson says in his autobiography, "My brother Pétur read about the theories of Helgi Pjeturss and was fascinated by them. Then I started studying them as well and I found them remarkable. What appealed to me especially was his theory about life on other stars or planets which replaced the old idea of Heaven; everything was more understandable and more material in what he said. Helgi also had remarkable theories about dreams, he thought they occurred because of influence from other people, even from other stars. This influenced me."^[18]
   Þorsteinn Guðjónsson was a devoted Nýall participant both before and after the founding of Ásatrúarfélagið. In the late 80s he published an English-language journal, Huginn&Muninn, dedicated to Nýall theories, paganism and racial ideology.^[19]
   Jörmundur Ingi Hansen participated in some Nýall séances. In a 2008 interview he said he "did not feel he got any real information from the proceedings" and that he was "not at all convinced that the information that comes forward at meetings like this is actually from deceased individuals".^[20]
3. Years earlier, Ólafur Jóhannesson had himself argued that the clause applied to polytheism.^[25]

References

1. . Statistics Iceland.
2. "Ásatrúarfélagið: Félagafjöldi". Ásatrúarfélagið. March 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
3. Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson (1992:132).
4. Pétur Pétursson (1985:21-22).
5. Sigurður A. Magnússon (1990:198)
6. Icelandic, "Hugmyndin að Ásatrúarfélaginu byggðist á trú á dulin öfl í landinu, í tengslum við mannfólkið sem skynjaði ekki þessa hluti til fulls nema einstöku menn. Það tengdist síðan þjóðlegum metnaði og löngun til að Íslendingar ættu sína trú, og ræktu hana ekki síður en innflutt trúarbrögð." Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson (1992:140).
7. Sigurður A. Magnússon (1990:198-9).
8. Pétur Pétursson (1985:3-4).
9. Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson (1992:133).
10. "Heldur fengu fulltrúar Ásatrúarmanna loðin svör hjá ráðherra, — og það hefur þrumuguðnum Þór víst líka fundizt, því þegar erindinu var lokið, ráðherra búinn að standa upp úr sæti sínu og fylgja gestunum til dyra, — datt ein hin ferlegasta þruma niður í miðborg Reykjavíkur og olli skemmdum ekki alllangt frá ráðuneytisskrifstofunni." JBP. Vísir, January 2, 1973. Page 3. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3246644&issId=238186&lang=en"
11. Icelandic, "stofna félög til að þjóna guði".
12. Sigurbjörn Einarsson. "Um ásatrú". Morgunblaðið. December 13, 1973, page 12. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=1449074&issId=115755&lang=en The opinion is dated to January 2, 1973, and was originally presented to the ministry of justice and ecclesiastical affairs.
13. Icelandic, "Fleirgyðistrúfélög stofnuð hér á landi, mundu því ekki njóta verndar samkvæmt stjskr."
14. Icelandic, "heiðinn af lífi og sál". Sigurbjörn Einarsson. "Mér er kunnugt um mann...". Játningar. Hlaðbúð, 1948. Page 147.
15. Anderson, Robert. The Ghosts of Iceland. Wadsworth, 2005. ISBN 0-534-61052-8 Pages 68-69.
16. von Schnurbein (1991:181).
17. Haukur Matthíasson. "Ásatrúarmenn[,] biskup og dr. Helgi Péturss". Morgunblaðið, December 19, 1973, page 10. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?issId=115763&pageId=1449356&lang=en
18. Icelandic, "Pétur bróðir las sér til um kenningar Helga Pjeturss og hreifst mjög af þeim. Þá fór ég að kynna mér þær líka og fannst þær merkilegar. Einkum höfðaði til mín kenning hans um lífið á öðrum stjörnum eða hnöttum sem kom í staðinn fyrir gömlu hugmyndina um himnaríki; það varð allt skiljanlegra og efnislegra hjá honum. Helgi var líka með merkilegar kenningar um drauma, hann taldi að þeir yrðu fyrir áhrif frá öðrum mönnum, jafnvel öðrum stjörnum. Þetta hafði áhrif á mig." Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson (1992:38).
19. von Schnurbein (1991:186).
20. Icelandic, "mér fannst ekki að ég fengi neinar raunverulegar upplýsingar út úr því sem þar átti sér stað. Ég er alls ekki sannfærður um að þær upplýsingar sem koma fram á svona fundum séu í raun frá látnum einstaklingum." Trú og lífsýn goðans", Morgunblaðið, August 24, 2008, page 29.
21. "Kristin trú". Morgunblaðið, December 22, 1973, page 18. Available online at http://new.timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=1449516&issId=115767&lang=en
22. Pétur Pétursson (1985:11).
23. Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson (1992:133-34, 141).
24. "Fyrirspurnartími". Morgunblaðið, November 27, 1973. Page 14. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=1448476&issId=115737&lang=en
25. Ólafur Jóhannesson. Stjórnskipun Íslands. Hlaðbúð, 1960. Page 429.
26. Pétur Pétursson (1985:28).
27. Icelandic, "fór fram með tilþrifum og atorku", "Reiddust goðin?" Vísir, August 7, 1973. Page 1. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3249986&issId=238363&lang=en
28. Sigurður A. Magnússon (1990:194).
29. ÞS. "Blótuðu Þór í úrhellisrigningu." Vísir, August 7, 1973, page 2. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3249987&issId=238363&lang=en
30. Pétur Pétursson (1985:passim).
31. Sigurður A. Magnússon (1990:193).
32. Pétur Pétursson (1985:18).
33. Sigurður A. Magnússon (1990:208).
34. Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson (1992:138).
35. "Blótað á Draghálsi". DV, June 20, 1983, page 3. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?issId=189406&pageId=2477329&lang=en
36. Þorri Jóhannsson. "Leiðirnar að guðdómnum eru margar". Lesbók Morgunblaðsins, November 14, 1992, pages 4-5. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3309806&issId=242568&lang=en
37. Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson 1992.
38. Strmiska (2005:166).
39. "Stungið út úr hlöðunni". Eintak, May 5, 1994, page 14. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3635950&issId=259425&lang=en
40. "Hyggst gera ásatrúna sýnilegri almenningi". DV, May 24, 1994, page 6. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=2626657&issId=195406&lang=en
41. Strmiska (2005:167).
42. Strmiska (2005:172).
43. Strmiska (2005:173).
44. Strmiska (2005:168).
45. Jónas Þ. Sigurðsson. "Yfirlýsing frá Lögréttu". Morgunblaðið, August 25, 2002, page 16. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3451577&issId=250831&lang=en
46. "Statistics Iceland: Population > Religious organizations". Statistics Iceland. April 1, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
47. "Af yfirlýsingum". Vor siður, 2:2005, page 8. Available online at http://www.asatru.is/PFD/Vor_sidur_2.tbl.2005.pdf
48. "Hof ásatrúarfólks í Leynimýri". Fréttablaðið, November 6, 2006, page 8. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?issId=272631&pageId=3922063&lang=en
49. "Fall meirihlutans frestaði enn Ásatrúarhofi" Vísir, October 28, 2007. Published online at http://www.visir.is/article/20071028/FRETTIR01/71028011/-1/FRETTIR
50. "Frá lögsögumanni". Vor siður, 1:2008, page 4. Available online at http://www.asatru.is/PFD/VorSidur_1tbl_2008.pdf
51. "Frá lögsögumanni". Vor siður, 4:2008, page 16. Available online at http://www.asatru.is/PFD/vorsidur_4tbl_2008.pdf
52. "Frá lögsögumanni". Vor siður, 5:2008, page 4. Available online at http://www.asatru.is/PFD/vor_sidur_5tbl_2008.pdf
53. http://icelandmag.com/article/construction-a-pagan-temple-begin-reykjavik-next-month
54. "Increase in pagan priests in Iceland". Iceland Review. October 10, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
55. "Ásatrúarfélagið: Fjölgun goða með vígsluréttindi". Ásatrúarfélagið. October 8, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
56. The Icelandic version has "Ásatrú is a pagan tradition based on tolerance, honesty, magnanimity and respect for nature and all life". (Ásatrú eða heiðinn siður byggir á umburðarlyndi, heiðarleika, drengskap og virðingu fyrir náttúrunni og öllu lífi.) (2006)
57. "Fréttablaðið". Timarit.is. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
58. Icelandic, "dálítið ókyrr trú". Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson (1992:182).
59. Icelandic, "Trú mín byggir á stöðugri leit en ég fer mér samt að engu óðslega við að leita. Það þýðir ekkert að æða út í geiminn til að leita að einhverjum guðum þar, ef þeir vilja hafa eitthvað með mig að gera, þá koma þeir. Ég hef oft orðið var við þá, en æði ekki á eftir þeim eða hrópa á þá. Ég hef kynnst þeim dálítið í sjálfum mér og öðru fólki líka. ... Það eru fyrst og fremst áhrifin frá hinum mikla krafti sem allir finna fyrir sem gera mig trúaðan. ... Það merkilegasta við trúna er að hún gefur okkur vöxt, möguleika til að vaxa og gróa. Og ekki má sleppa auðmýktinni. Án hennar getum við ekki lifað að neinu gagni þótt hún verði náttúrlega að koma í réttan stað niður. En sá sem er alveg sviptur henni, hann er vitfirringur." Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson (1992:183).
60. Icelandic, "Ég lít svo á að heimurinn sé tvískiptur í eðli sínu, skiptist í uppbyggjandi öfl, æsi, og hin eyðandi öfl sem við köllum jötna. ... Ásatrú eða heiðni er í grundvallaratriðum ekki annað en að gera sér grein fyrir þessari tvískiptingu og skipa sér í lið ása. Það gerir maður best, að mínu viti, með því að vera sjálfum sér samkvæmur, lifa í sátt við náttúruna, umgangast hana með virðingu og hlíta allsherjarreglu. ... Guðirnir móta bústað manna, jörðina og sólkerfið úr því efni sem fyrir er. Að því leyti getum við litið á náttúruöflin sem sjálfa guðina og það gerði fólk til forna að miklu leyti." Lesbók Morgunblaðsins, November 14, 1992, pages 4-5. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3309806&issId=242568&lang=en
61. Icelandic, "ásatrúin er algyðistrú. Jörðin, loftið og vatnið hefur mikið gildi fyrir okkur. Við erum hluti af jörðinni en ekki herrar hennar." Sólveig Jónasdóttir, Vera, 1996:4:9.
62. Icelandic, „Ég trúi á æðri mátt sem birtist okkur í fjölbreytileika náttúrunnar og mannlífsins. Við erum með birtingarform á ákveðnum frumkröftum, sem við höfum gefið guðanöfn og við erum með deildaskiptingu í hlutverkum guðanna. Þetta eru öfl sem eru sýnileg, hálfsýnileg og stundum ósýnileg. Maður getur röflað endalaust fræðilega um hlutverk ákveðinna guða, en þegar allt kemur til alls, þá er þetta spurning um tilfinningu fyrir mismunandi þáttum lífsins.“ Morgunblaðið, January 12, 2003, page B 3. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3461487&issId=251154&lang=en
63. Sveinn Guðjónsson. "Það hefur alltaf fylgt kristinni trú þetta ofstæki...". Vísir, August 19, 1978, pages 14-17. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3376505&issId=248406&lang=en
64. "Blót". Asatru.is. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
65. Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson (1992:134).
66. Sigurður A. Magnússon (1990:197).
67. Sv. G. "Vor siður á erindi til allra manna". Lesbók Morgunblaðsins, June 2, 1974, pages 14-16. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3296272&issId=241718&lang=en
68. Icelandic, „Nei, og það stafar einfaldlega af því að við nennum því ekki. Það er miklu auðveldara að fá sér bara kjötskrokk, enda gerum við það. Hér áður fyrr var það eðlilegt að slátra skepnunni á staðnum því þá gátu menn ekki geymt kjöt. En við nútíma aðstæður er það hreinn óþarfi og of mikið umstang". Source: http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3376503&issId=248406&lang=en
69. EA. "Ég gef þér nafn og nefni þig...". Vísir. November 23, 1973, page 3. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3251740&issId=238457&lang=en
70. ARH. "Las úr Eddukvæðum yfir brúðhjónunum". Alþýðublaðið, August 26, 1977. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3220038
71. "Athafnir". Asatru.is. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
72. "Vor sidur 2007:Vor sidur 2006" (PDF). Retrieved June 26, 2010.
73. "Starfsemi". Asatru.is. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
74. "Fóstureyðingar eru manndráp - Aðgerðir þarf í fíkniefnamálum". Morgunblaðið. June 6, 1974, page 2. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=1452992&issId=115874&lang=en
75. ÞJM. "Ásatrúarfélagið varar við því, að „manndráp" verði löggleidd". Vísir, June 10, 1974, page 3. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3254456&issId=238605&lang=en
76. Icelandic, "runnin undan rifjum alþjóðlegra hreyfinga, sem beinast gegn Norðurlandaþjóðum og norrænu kyni sérstaklega". J[ón] B[irgir] P[étursson]. "Sjúkrahús eða útrýmingarstöðvar". Vísir. April 21, 1975, page 3. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3261832&issId=239048&lang=en
77. "Jafnast fóstureyðingar á við útburð?". Alþýðublaðið. April 24, 1975, page 2. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3211970&issId=235382&lang=en
78. "Ekki á vegum ásatrúarmanna". Vísir. April 25, 1975, page 8. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3261893&issId=239051&lang=en
79. KÞ. "Það væri skaði fyrir mannkynið ef norrænn stofn liði undir lok". DV - Helgarblað II, September 4, 1982, pages 12-13.
80. Pétur Pétursson (1985:27).
81. "Friðarbúðir í minningu helsprengjunnar". Alþýðublaðið. August 1, 1985, page 2. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3338229&issId=245506&lang=en
82. Norwegian, "blanding av individualistiske anarkister, ateistiske kirkefiender og rasistiske spiritister"; von Schnurbein, Stefanie. "Fornyet Naturreligion eller rasistisk kult?: Moderne åsatro-grupper i Tyskland og Norden." Chaos: Dansk-Norsk tidsskrift for religionhistoriske studier. 1994:(22), pp. 117-130. Page 120. See also von Schnurbein (1991:181).
83. María Erlendsdóttir (2001:27).
84. María Erlendsdóttir (2001:28).
85. María Erlendsdóttir (2001:43).
86. Strmiska (2000:117).
87. Pétur Pétursson. 1985. "Island" in Religiös förändring i Norden 1930-1980. Pp. 111-153. Page 147.
88. Stefán Pálsson. "Trúfélög og pólitík". Múrinn, October 10, 2003. http://www.murinn.is/eldra_b.asp?nr=298&gerd=Gler&arg=4
89. Icelandic, "Við erum hingað komin til að ákalla goð og góða vætti. Við ætlum að biðja landinu okkar griða og við ætlum að reisa þeim níðstöng sem svívirða móður sína, jörðina". Jóhanna G. Harðardóttir. "Kárahnjúkar kvaddir". Morgunblaðið, October 26, 2003, page 30. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3482457&issId=251776&lang=en
90. "Heiðmörk". Asatru.is. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
91. Stefán Pálsson. "Skömmum Alþingi, ekki biskupinn". Múrinn, June 28, 2004. http://murinn.is/eldra_b.asp?nr=1287&gerd=Frettir&arg=5
92. "Breytingunum ber að fagna". 24 stundir, June 27, 2008, page 6. Available online at http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3631836&issId=259224&lang=en
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95. "Þrettán trúfélög stofna Samráðsvettvang trúfélaga". mbl.is. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
96. "Vor sidur 2006" (PDF). Retrieved June 26, 2010.
97. Fontaine-Nikolov, Paul. "The Pagan MP". The Reykjavík Grapevine. Available online at www.grapevine.is/Features/ReadArticle/The-Pagan-MP.
98. http://asatru.is/statement

Bibliography

• María Erlendsdóttir. Pagan Beliefs in Modern Iceland. University of Edinburgh, 2001.
• Pétur Pétursson. Asasamfundet på Island och massmedia. Religionssociologiska institutet, 1985. ISSN 0347-8653
• von Schnurbein, Stefanie. Religion als Kulturkritik: Neugermanisches Heidentum im 20. Jahrhundert. Winter, 1992. ISBN 3-533-04582-X
• Sigurður A. Magnússon. The Icelanders. Forskot, 1990. ISBN 9979-9000-0-8
• Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson and Berglind Gunnarsdóttir. Allsherjargoðinn. Hörpuútgáfan, 1992. ISBN 9979-50-025-5

External links

• Ásatrúarfélagið Official webpage