Not posting in the Hinduism DIR forum anymore for one simple reason...

[Jainarayan]

I do not identify as Hindu, as you can see from what displays in my posts now. This is not sudden; what is sudden is deciding to "come out" (jeez, I thought I had that all taken care of 19 years ago! ). Nah, this has been long in coming. I've dabbled with Buddhism, Taoism, and combinations of Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism in varying amounts in the recipe. But it's been a recipe for internal disaster.

So what changed? Nothing, really. I've been hinting around about Thor; talking about how I couldn't get close to Krishna and Rama; and so on. None of this is new, I've just been trying too hard to follow something I can't. The reasons are pretty much that Hinduism just doesn't feel right or "do it" for me theologically and cosmologically. I can't relate to it, hard as I tried.

So where am I going? Talking almost incessantly about Thor might give a clue. Yes, the religion of whom I have strong reason to believe are my ancestors... Ásatrú, faith or belief in the Æsir (and Vanir), who are the gods and goddesses of the Norse. I've been drawn for a long time to Norse religion, but I always brushed it aside. But it seems the Big Guy with the hammer grabbed me in a headlock. I can relate to the Norse deities in a way I couldn't with Hinduism, especially to Thor. He is my "ishta-devata", no question. There are still elements of Hinduism I find compatible with Ásatrú. Some of it is genuine, some of it is possibly my own upg. For example, I am still drawn to Saraswati, Lakshmi, Hanuman, Ganesha, Narasimha and Shiva, but they are simply deities in my pantheon that have attributes that overlap with most of the Norse deities I am drawn to; those forms speak to me.

So there am I... one of the world's shortest Vikings.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Congratulations, dude. It is National Coming Out Day, after all!

I can relate to you with your searching. I've tried to narrow myself down to a traditional form of European religion, feeling drawn towards the Hellenic and the Germanic. But there's concepts in both that I don't agree with and a lack of concepts in both that I do agree with.

 

[Jainarayan]

Congratulations, dude. It is National Coming Out Day, after all!

ahahahaha That's right, it is!

I can relate to you with your searching. I've tried to narrow myself down to a traditional form of European religion, feeling drawn towards the Hellenic and the Germanic. But there's concepts in both that I don't agree with and a lack of concepts in both that I do agree with.

It does indeed take a while for some of us to find what talks to us. It's all the harder when there are incompatible aspects of two otherwise attractive paths. Syncretizing can be a bear! You'll find it.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

ahahahaha That's right, it is!

Hahaha. I started a thread on it: http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/social-world/169328-happy-national-coming-out-day.html

It does indeed take a while for some of us to find what talks to us. It's all the harder when there are incompatible aspects of two otherwise attractive paths. Syncretizing can be a bear! You'll find it.

That's why I call myself a Luciferian. Luciferians use whatever they want for our purposes. We're not pinned down to just one cultural expression.

 

[Jainarayan]

Luciferian... kind of like tofu, absorbs different flavors.

 

[Brinne]

Glad to hear it; I wish you luck with your new path friend. Afterall; God is God is God is God right ?

 

[Valjean]

Are you just searching for a cool God you can relate to, or have you actually been convinced, by critical analysis or divine revelation, that Thor is an actual entity?

 

[StarryNightshade]

Hey man, if it is what calls to you, then follow it.

 

[Chakra]

Are you just searching for a cool God you can relate to, or have you actually been convinced, by critical analysis or divine revelation, that Thor is an actual entity?

This is something that I am also wondering.

Anyways, good luck with your new religion and I hope we can meet outside of the Hindu DIR.

 

[Jainarayan]

Glad to hear it; I wish you luck with your new path friend. Afterall; God is God is God is God right ?

Thanks. I believe that the gods are individual entities. I am a deist at heart, so I really don't believe there is one God whom the other deities are forms of. I tried to get my head to co-operate with that but it just wouldn't. If there is a God, it's an underlying energy connection between humans, gods, birds, trees, etc... all part of the energy and existence matrix. You find this in Asatru and other pagan and heathen religions. John Lennon wasn't far off saying "I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together". As far as creation, I still believe it is self-manifesting, that is, "universe happens". Modern Asatruars, as I'm learning, view the stories of creation and the ancient stories just as Hindus view the puranas. They are morality tales, and stories to explain things the ancients did not have the technology to understand.

Are you just searching for a cool God you can relate to, or have you actually been convinced, by critical analysis or divine revelation, that Thor is an actual entity?

Well, cool is relative and subjective: Narasimha is cool; Shiva is cool; Durga is way cool and awesome; yes, Thor is cool. He reminds me of me, so yes, I can relate to him in a way I could never relate to any other deity. Thor is an individual, actual entity inasmuch as lightning, wind, thunder, rain, love, the earth (providing food) are individual entities. Is he a huge muscled guy with a red beard and red hair? Probably not, but he's not a clean-shaven blond in Norse mythology... the big blond dude is Marvel Comics. But is Vishnu an actual blue entity with four arms? Probably not. They're personifications of what we believe in.

Hey man, if it is what calls to you, then follow it.

Thanks.

 

[Jainarayan]

This is something that I am also wondering.

See my last post. I can say the search is over. In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy said that if she ever wanted to go looking for her heart's desire, she needn't look beyond her own back yard; because if it isn't there, she never really lost it. Sometimes things are right in front of us but we don't see them, being conditioned, persuaded, dissuaded and influenced by other, sometimes complicated factors.

Anyways, good luck with your new religion and I hope we can meet outside of the Hindu DIR.

I'm still staff, and a regular member, so I'll be here... until I do something to get the boot.

 

[Chakra]

Thanks. I believe that the gods are individual entities. I am a deist at heart, so I really don't believe there is one God whom the other deities are forms of. I tried to get my head to co-operate with that but it just wouldn't. If there is a God, it's an underlying energy connection between humans, gods, birds, trees, etc... all part of the energy and existence matrix. You find this in Asatru and other pagan and heathen religions. John Lennon wasn't far off saying "I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together". As far as creation, I still believe it is self-manifesting, that is, "universe happens". Modern Asatruars, as I'm learning, view the stories of creation and the ancient stories just as Hindus view the puranas. They are morality tales, and stories to explain things the ancients did not have the technology to understand.

So I am guessing that Asatru is more of a nature-related religion? I'd take that over some other religions that we know.
BTW, not all Hindus believe in the Puranas as some tall stories created by our ancestors (who were incredibly intelligent).

Also, what's the difference between Norse mythology/religion and Asatru?

But is Vishnu an actual blue entity with four arms? Probably not. They're personifications of what we believe in.

He actually is a personified entity, though his higher nature could be impersonal.

Thanks.

One quick question, if you don't mind.

Now that you are not a Hindu, and since you have no restrictions to do such an activity, will you eat beef?

Regards

 

[Jainarayan]

So I am guessing that Asatru is more of a nature-related religion? I'd take that over some other religions that we know.

It's more of a respect and reverence for nature and the spirits of the land. For example, blóts (pronounced bloats), the religious rituals, are usually performed outdoors in a consecrated area, and are dedicated to one god or goddess, not unlike a puja, or celebrate something about nature... a solstice, or other significant part of the year. Most of the rituals (I've never been to one, but I've seen videos) consists of an offering and sharing of some liquid like beer or mead, prayers, songs, and toasts (for lack of a better word) to the gods and the community. Animal sacrifices are all but unknown anymore. Even when they were performed in the past, it was usually in the context of a feast for the community, giving thanks for what the earth (personified by the god Freyr) provided.

BTW, not all Hindus believe in the Puranas as some tall stories created by our ancestors (who were incredibly intelligent).

I like the puranas, myself. I don't mean to suggest that they are fairy-tales created out of the blue. Those I've read have lessons and morals, sometimes at a deep level that's not always obvious. To that end, yes, the writers were very intelligent and clever teachers.

Also, what's the difference between Norse mythology/religion and Asatru?

Nothing. Asatru is the Icelandic name of the Old Norse religion meaning "faithful/true to the Aesir". The Aesir are the gods and goddesses.

He actually is a personified entity, though his higher nature could be impersonal.

Yep, no different. No one really knows who or what the gods are. But we all believe they are individual entities, and need to ascribe characteristics we can relate to, because the concepts are so far above us. Think of B.G. 12.5.

One quick question, if you don't mind.

Now that you are not a Hindu, and since you have no restrictions to do such an activity, will you eat beef?

Regards

Good question. I can't say I'll run out and deliberately stop at Longhorn Steakhouse, but if the opportunity or situation arises (my sister's meatballs for example, even though they suck and I tell her so ), I won't refuse. Without getting into the methods of raising cattle and other animals, and treating them humanely during raising and slaughtering, they're considered a gift of the earth. Could someone be vegetarian and Asatru? I'm sure there are many, for various reasons. I myself don't do physically well on a vegetarian diet.

 

[Sha'irullah]

OH MY INANNA IT IS HAPPENING! Just like the gypsy woman said!

In all seriousness dude, would you let me attempt to convert you to Silly Walkism or perhaps a mild form of atheism like Hitchenism?

 

[Jainarayan]

OH MY INANNA IT IS HAPPENING! Just like the gypsy woman said!

In all seriousness dude, would you let me attempt to convert you to Silly Walkism or perhaps a mild form of atheism like Hitchenism?

Hellz no... what, and get my ancestors ****** off?

Next stop: Valhalla.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Hellz no... what, and get my ancestors ****** off?

Next stop: Valhalla.

Valhalla? What the "hell" is that a beer?

Sorry but I have to tease white boys who get int ouch with their Nordic and Germanic roots. It is good to see people adopting their genuine culture .

Of course I am an atheist and have no interest in understanding my culture but at least you are trying.
I am just not fond of this god stuff attached to it though. Seems dangerous.

So are you gonna upgrade your Ban Hammer to a Ban Mjolnir? Seems logical if you ask me

 

[Chakra]

It's more of a respect and reverence for nature and the spirits of the land. For example, blóts (pronounced bloats), the religious rituals, are usually performed outdoors in a consecrated area, and are dedicated to one god or goddess, not unlike a puja, or celebrate something about nature... a solstice, or other significant part of the year. Most of the rituals (I've never been to one, but I've seen videos) consists of an offering and sharing of some liquid like beer or mead, prayers, songs, and toasts (for lack of a better word) to the gods and the community. Animal sacrifices are all but unknown anymore. Even when they were performed in the past, it was usually in the context of a feast for the community, giving thanks for what the earth (personified by the god Freyr) provided.

I see. This is what I meant.

I like the puranas, myself. I don't mean to suggest that they are fairy-tales created out of the blue. Those I've read have lessons and morals, sometimes at a deep level that's not always obvious. To that end, yes, the writers were very intelligent and clever teachers.

Sorry. I thought you were suggesting that Puranas are not to be taken literally and are just stories created to teach the readers.

Nothing. Asatru is the Icelandic name of the Old Norse religion meaning "faithful/true to the Aesir". The Aesir are the gods and goddesses.

I see. What interested me the most was the parallels between Hindu, Norse, and Greek mythology.

Yep, no different. No one really knows who or what the gods are. But we all believe they are individual entities, and need to ascribe characteristics we can relate to, because the concepts are so far above us. Think of B.G. 12.5.

I understand, though I don't agree with you here. I am a firm believer in the belief that God wants us to know him, in his full majesty and grandeur.

Good question. I can't say I'll run out and deliberately stop at Longhorn Steakhouse, but if the opportunity or situation arises (my sister's meatballs for example, even though they suck and I tell her so ), I won't refuse.

I understand, though this saddens me immensely.

 

[Desert Snake]

Congratulations, it's always nice to come to a clear realization.

And yes, hehe heh tofu really does suck up those flavors doesn't it, though it takes awhile. I don't eat tofu currently though.
in cube style I would pan fry it.

 

[Jainarayan]

Sorry but I have to tease white boys who get int ouch with their Nordic and Germanic roots. It is good to see people adopting their genuine culture .

This is something else that's been dawning on me; this whole thing is like a cascade. I've mentioned several times here and there that I have strong reason to suspect that my family is actually northern European. I'm planning on doing a DNA test to actually find out. My family is on-board with it but the cheap &$*@#!+ haven't ponied up to help pay for it.

So are you gonna upgrade your Ban Hammer to a Ban Mjolnir? Seems logical if you ask me

I've been wearing Mjolnir for a while now. It's not a high grade one, but it's meaningful.

I see. What interested me the most was the parallels between Hindu, Norse, and Greek mythology.

They all have common roots. Even names of deities can be traced back to a single name... Zeus, Tyr, Dyaus, and the words deus, theos, deva.

I understand, though I don't agree with you here. I am a firm believer in the belief that God wants us to know him, in his full majesty and grandeur.

I understand, though this saddens me immensely.

And all that is OK, because if we were all the same we'd all wear red shirts. How boring would that be? It's when I criticize your blue shirt and you criticize my red shirt, and we fight over it is where the problems come in.

 

[Jainarayan]

Congratulations, it's always nice to come to a clear realization.

And yes, hehe heh tofu really does suck up those flavors doesn't it, though it takes awhile. I don't eat tofu currently though.
in cube style I would pan fry it.

Thanks. Sometimes I can choke down tofu. I like it in Buddha's Delight and Hot & Sour soup.