In Which Germanic Countries is Heathenry Most Widespread?

[Dagna]

I would be interested in an estimation of rough percentages, if anyone has an idea. I know it is present in Scandinavia, but what about the rest?

[Grimsteinr]

I can't speak about anywhere else, but........
Here in the US there at least 3 National Asatru Organizations, each with at least a couple or maybe each has close to 3 hundred members, or more.
The Troth, the Asatru Folk Assembly and the Asatru Alliance.
There's also probably at least a hundred or two of the Theodish/Tribalists.
The Odinic Rite also has many members in the US, besides in many other Countries.
These all come under the general category of Heathenry.
In addition there are many solitary, unaffiliated Asatru/Odinist/Heathens.
Many of these are Folks would not choose to call themselve Asatru,
Odinist, or Theodish. So, it would be nearly impossible to estimate their numbers.
I think the same holds true for most other Countries.
I think what you are asking might be an impossible task.
Good Luck.

[arthor]

I know that in the UK there is scope to put it on the census form but as mentioned earlier, who actually call themselves heathens is another matter. It is a tiny percentage as far as the census shows but I think that is maybe down to choice of wording. Thing is, Odinists (for want of a better word) tend to see themselves as heathens whereas Wiccans tend to see themselves as pagans. They are really the same thing and certainly are as far as the authorities are concerned. There seems to some moves afoot to get heathenry recognised by the govt on an official level but then again, as a follower of the old gods myself, I would not want to be represented by someone who didn't hold my views. Tribalist, Folkist, Universalist heathens definitely don't see eye to eye but I would say that the only ones who would be able to get govt recognition are the universalists who would allow africans and homos in. You would then get the situation where they would be the 'official' heathens and others would deny being heathen????
Going off track here but it is to illustrate how hard it is to count heads. If you try googling UK CENSUS 2001 RELIGION you might get some stuff. I know it is online somewhere 'cos I have looked.

wasshael

[Stormraaf]

Heathenry is undoubtedly the least widespread amongst Germanics in South Africa. Forming a physical community is difficult. The kindred/hearth that used to exist in my town were disbanded when its most prominent members (and a substantial portion thereof) left to live and work elsewhere, and I've heard of other groups arriving at a similar fate - groups too small to survive long-term.

I've queried someone who were in high school more recently than me about this, and according to him, teenage groups, with members mostly aged 16-18, pops up here and there, but these are generally too uninformed about the faith they claim to pursue, more "Wiccatru" than Asatru, and not to be considered Heathens.

[Grey]

Heathenry is undoubtedly the least widespread amongst Germanics in South Africa. Forming a physical community is difficult. The kindred/hearth that used to exist in my town were disbanded when its most prominent members (and a substantial portion thereof) left to live and work elsewhere, and I've heard of other groups arriving at a similar fate - groups to small to survive long-term.

I've queried someone who were in high school more recently than me about this, and according to him, teenage groups, with members mostly aged 16-18, pops up here and there, but these are generally too uninformed about the faith they claim to pursue, more "Wiccatru" than Asatru, and not to be considered Heathens.

That's what we seem to have more of than anything here. I've only met one person I'd consider an actual heathen, but I meet the hippie-ish type of "heathen" all the time.

[KWulf]

As far as i know in England the Odinic Rite is the biggest organisation and has been around since the seventies, a friend of a friend who is a member said there was something like five to six hundred members (non-professed), however please dont take my word for this though as it is unsubstantiated! In Britain itself there is thought to be about two hundred and fifty thousand adherents to a pre-christian religion (almost as many as Hindus), however the English Heathen movement here in this country is vastly outshadowed by other 'pagan' religions such as Wicca and Druidism, which is highly annoying when Germanic Anglo-Saxon culture is the bedrock of our nation's culture.

[Hersir]

Iceland and Norway, its in our daily life and traditions

[Forest_Dweller]

As far as i know in England the Odinic Rite is the biggest organisation and has been around since the seventies, a friend of a friend who is a member said there was something like five to six hundred members (non-professed), however please dont take my word for this though as it is unsubstantiated! In Britain itself there is thought to be about two hundred and fifty thousand adherents to a pre-christian religion (almost as many as Hindus), however the English Heathen movement here in this country is vastly outshadowed by other 'pagan' religions such as Wicca and Druidism, which is highly annoying when Germanic Anglo-Saxon culture is the bedrock of our nation's culture.

It also sickens me when I see a load of dirty wiccan pagans, dancing to foreign tribe music around stone henge on the eve of the summer solstice. Probably taking drugs and indulging in other completely unspiritual acts.

I really do hope Odinism can be the glue that moulds are folk together again.