People ask me why it is
that online I generally talk about politics on certain forums and about religion on others.
Irminenschaft—whether
associated with a an organization or not—has always encouraged
Heathens to be politically involved. Consider, for a moment, the
Principles of Irminenschaft:
Evolution
Ancestry
Preservation
Rita
Dynamism
Furtherance
Virtue
How many of these things
may be promoted in our lives and in our cultures if we are not
involved in the civic processes that effect these very concepts?
Consider too, the old
Heathen adage, “we are our ancestors” and it doesn't take long to
recognize that the decisions we make as a society today (whether
electing politicians, voting on issues, becoming activists for
certain causes or what have you) will have dramatic effects on how we
live our lives two or three generations away. It would be folly NOT
to be politically involved!
Historically combining
religion and politics has never mixed well—at least not since the
formation of nation-states, as these problems do not seem to exist in
tribal cultures. I do not believe that this is not because of the
religion in question or the political structure either. But if we
look at wide-ranging examples such as Massachusetts Bay Colony (their
theocracy kicked out Rhode Island before Maine seceded); The Islámic
Republic of Iran (which sees constant uprisings and allows human
rights abuses); the Holy See, a/k/a/ Vatican City (after a long
history of sexual abuses we are now learning of banking abuses as
well); and we won't even begin to talk about the Inquisition under
Protestantism!
As
for those religious leaders who have also taken public political
stands: Jerry Falwell; Martin Luther King, Jr; Louis
Farrakhan Muhammad, Sr; Jesse Jackson; Billy Graham; ad nauseam I
will not weigh the benefits or injuries of their political efforts
here, but I will question the effect of their efforts on their
respective religious bodies.
On
the other hand, though, Irminic leaders have never tried to tell
other Irminen how to vote, what causes to support, or what
politicians to endorse. I believe that this is good. While it makes
sense that a spiritual movement such as ours would promote civic
involvement one's spirituality ought not be defined by
one's politics either. I have known Irminen who are Democrats and
those who are Republicans; progressives and conservatives;
libertarians and national socialists; constitutionalists and
democratic socialists... All are good Irminen. And this is how it
should be.
I don't expect to gather
with a bunch of Irminen so that we can march in front of Beacon Hill.
I expect to raise toasts at the appropriate times, feast at the
appropriate times, set aside a meal for any god who may join us and
go home feeling spiritually fulfilled.
~~Steve Anthonijsz
