Sikhism or Asatru?

[ShivaFan]

Well, I do not know a lot about Asatru, but I do know Sikh community, culture, religion etc...

So don't laugh, but you might also consider what sort of active life would you have one or the other?

For example are there a lot of temples for Asatru in your area? Asatru may not have temples ... but where do you come together for some "quality time" and face to face association and perhaps a nice lunch?

I could be wrong, but I have never seen an Asatru temple or gathering or such. But in my area (SF Bay Area) there are a lot of Sikh temples, and they are very open and nice to all, and most have great communal lunches and dinners (sitting on floor, served to you from a buffet or right where you sit).

I know this might sound trivial, but really, think about it. Also, if you are male and not married there are some really nice Sikh girls, seriously.

So ... there is a nice community, wonderful religion, music, food, culture, things to do, festivals....

I would recommend Sikh! And you get to wear a head turban when going in the temple!

 

[Jainarayan]

For example are there a lot of temples for Asatru in your area? Asatru may not have temples ... but where do you come together for some "quality time" and face to face association and perhaps a nice lunch?

I could be wrong, but I have never seen an Asatru temple or gathering or such.

These area actually valid questions the Asatru community is addressing. Keep in mind Asatru is only recently reconstructed, and is gaining some traction. There are temples called hofs. They were formerly quite numerous during the Viking Age; some still exist in Iceland. A few troths (Asatru groups) are attempting to establish more. Gatherings are usually held in open sanctified areas outdoors or in someone's home, or another venue. A building that is kept as a semi-permanent gathering area is called a hof. At any rate, the space is consecrated for the gathering (symbel or blót). The gatherings and offerings to the gods, ancestors and spirits center around food and drink... basically a dinner party with multiple rounds of toasts to the gods, ancestors and spirits, and the attendees. For the most part, however, and unfortunately at this stage, Asatru worship is largely private and solitary. Keep in mind also, that 'worship' can, and does properly consist of living by the code of ethics reconned into the Nine Noble Virtues. That and believing in the gods in itself honors the gods and ancestors.

 

[ShivaFan]

Interesting Thorbjorn! Let us know when a hof is built in the Bay Area and I will go visit!

 

[Jainarayan]

Interesting Thorbjorn! Let us know when a hof is built in the Bay Area and I will go visit!

Will do!

 

[Treks]

Toxikmynd

I am also more culturally matched to Asatru than Sikhi. I've looked into both. And as others have said, they are worlds apart.

What is it that attracts you to Sikhi? How is it that you are attracted to both at the same time?

For me:
Asatru is appealing for much the same reason as you; cultural and ancestral match.
Sikhi is appealing as it's philosophy aligns more with my own.

After about 12 years of studying Sikhi, and about 4 engaged with the community, my personal experience has been:
~ It is not as organised as you think it is. From the outside it is simple, but from the inside it is like any other "organised" religion; full of politics, arguments, and sects. Sikhs can't even agree on a definition of God; is it a personality, is it a consciousness, is it an energy, or are references to God throughout Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji an example of poetic device personalising an abstract concept so we can relate to it.
~ You will always be a non-Punjabi. Don't get me wrong, parts of the community are generally welcoming and accommodating. They are usually impressed to find non-Punjabi's interested in their way of life. But there will be a language barrier, and a lot of cultural references and customs you'll need to learn. Finding your own place between cultures is tricky, and I personally think unnecessary when the Creative Force is universal and beyond culture. You will also come up against anti-Western racism. This is the primary reason why I left that community after so many years.
~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is at the same time a rebuttal to the religions and cultures of the time (you need to learn a lot about Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Indian culture and politics in India 500 years ago to understand the point of many stanzas), and beautiful song in praise of the universal Creative Force. The latter is awesome and beautiful, the former can be confusing (Sikh Gurus were nothing if not witty )

I hope this information helps inform your decision. Feel free to ask me any Sikh-related questions as I'm always happy to talk about it.

 

[Nietzsche]

The gatherings and offerings to the gods, ancestors and spirits center around food and drink... basically a dinner party with multiple rounds of toasts to the gods, ancestors and spirits, and the attendees.

This includes toasts to liquid spirits. That happens. At least when I'm doing it. O Jim af Bean..

 

[Sha'irullah]

This is the whole issue with the shepherd dogs and sheep. Religion being a very new concept is as over inflated as terms like gods and spirits. Why must you seek a religion to define yourself? Are your own views not important? Are you really seeking some sort of authenticity for your views?
Look at the religious minded and see how each and every one of them ironically holds the views that they cherish. You either abide by the religion or disband it, you can't reform it or any such things considering it is a dictation to people not a set of philosophical views.
Pagans are by far the most liberal and paganism also ties into one's culture often times. Becoming a pagan is becoming who you were and potentially are since I believe it should be tied into one's cultural world.
If you want to become more free then remain who you are. Labels mean nothing and always will remain a burden at given times

 

[Toxikmynd]

Sorry I sort of disappeared everyone.

 

[Salek Atesh]

I'm not sure which to believe or not, I have different reasons for each one, but truthfully I wish I could just follow both, because for me its a very hard decision! Could someone help me here on how I am feeling?

You... you could always follow both. Not gonna lie, a syncretic faith combining elements of Sikhism and Asatru sounds pretty awesome. I'm not well-versed enough in Sikhism yet to know exactly how that would work, but it sounds interesting. And if you have elements you believe from both... why not try??

 

[Treks]

Sikhism is strictly mono- or panen- theistic. I'm not sure you could blend Asatru with Sikhism without a fair amount of cognitive dissonance.

 

[Kemble]

That's a wide gap, Toxikmynd. Generally a New Yorker will never experience Hinduism or Buddhism like a Nepali who can remember from the earliest memories the scents of incense and open air passing throughout the streets of Kathmandu, the tastes, the sights, the sounds, the colors, the language, the dress, the customs, the people. Vice-versa with a Hindu and Roman Catholicism. Religion is very visceral and sacredness is anchored early. I know modern thought about religion especially with the coming of the Age of Enlightenment is that religion can be intellectually adopted. Not exactly true. Whatever childhood familiarity you have with a religious tradition will tend to give you the most sense of the sacred.

So, to answer your question, it may be none of those two choices you listed that will leave you satisfied, long-term. Pick something closer to what you grew up with. Of course, that's just a suggestion. You're free to dance around like a viking or wear a turban on your head.

 

[Toxikmynd]

You... you could always follow both. Not gonna lie, a syncretic faith combining elements of Sikhism and Asatru sounds pretty awesome. I'm not well-versed enough in Sikhism yet to know exactly how that would work, but it sounds interesting. And if you have elements you believe from both... why not try??

I've thought how it could work, and I've literally almost said go, but really, I think it wouldn't be worth it. LOL

 

[Treks]

I'd like to hear your thoughts on how blending these religions might work for you, TM.

 

[Toxikmynd]

I'm sadly still caught in between.