“Heathenry” is a broad term that typically refers to Norse or Germanic polytheism. There are several different groups/traditions that fall under that umbrella, and beliefs and practices can differ quite a bit.A childhood friend of mine is in prison, and I recently began communicating with him via letters. He knows I am Catholic and discerning a vocation. Anyway, he is what he calls a “Heathen”. I know the term vaguely, but apparently there is a movement called “Heathenry” to which he subscribes. I am working very slowly to evangelize, but I need a way to combat this. If anyone has info, I appreciate it! And yes, I have googled, but I desire a Catholic response.
Combat was a poor word choice on my part.“Heathenry” is a broad term that typically refers to Norse or Germanic polytheism. There are several different groups/traditions that fall under that umbrella, and beliefs and practices can differ quite a bit.
Since it’s such a broad term, I don’t think there’s much in the way of helpful advice that can be given at this point. I’d avoid attempting to “combat” it until you have a better idea of his specific beliefs. Few things ruin your credibility in a conversation about religion than attacking a straw man (imagine if someone started criticizing “your” Christianity by pointing out some obscure Protestant doctrine that you’ve never heard of, not knowing or caring that you’re Catholic. You’d probably be offended that they were trying to change your mind without taking the time to get to know what you actually think). Get to know what the guy actually thinks before worrying about “combatting” him.
I might recommend holding off on this line of discussion until later. It’s not uncommon for neopagans and modern heathens to hold a certain amount of resentment towards Christianity when it comes to the loss of the old ways. You probably won’t win any friends (or converts) if you try to de-legitimize their religion by pointing out the lack of continuity between the ancient and modern expressions of the pagan faiths, particularly if they hold your religion to be a major cause of that discontinuity.If you think you’re in a good position to challenge him about his beliefs, I would start by asking him about the history of his particular belief system. Where is he getting this information? Many of these groups were founded by followers of Madam Blavatsky’s so-called “theosophical” society and have little if any connection to authentic folk traditions.
This is what I’ve never understood about neo-paganism; how anyone can claim to revive a dead religion? Religious traditions need living adherents to continue to exist. It can’t be reconstructed from archaeological findings and a the few existing manuscripts we have, otherwise they’d have to be constantly changing their rituals to reflect the latest scholarly opinions. .
Unless you buy into their romanticist/conspiracy theory veiw of western history, it’s pretty clear that there is no continuity between whatever pre-Christian indigenous religion they claim to adhere to and their actual religious practices.
Actually I would suggest the opposite approach. Rather than approaching the subject with “a need to combat”, approach it as inquiry to learn. Let him explain to you what it means to him, and ask him questions about his values, and how this “faith” expresses them.A childhood friend of mine is in prison, and I recently began communicating with him via letters. He knows I am Catholic and discerning a vocation. Anyway, he is what he calls a “Heathen”. I know the term vaguely, but apparently there is a movement called “Heathenry” to which he subscribes. I am working very slowly to evangelize, but I need a way to combat this. If anyone has info, I appreciate it! And yes, I have googled, but I desire a Catholic response.
Good point, my approach would definitely not be the best way to start a conversation. I was trying to present the underlying problems with such a belief system. In my experience, most if not practically all neo-pagans I’ve come in contact with have harbored a deep seated resentment toward Christianity long before adopting their current religious beliefs.I might recommend holding off on this line of discussion until later. It’s not uncommon for neopagans and modern heathens to hold a certain amount of resentment towards Christianity when it comes to the loss of the old ways.
I don’t see it as so much as an issue of a lineage that was broken as I see it as an issue of historicity. The only accounts we have of these ancient people’s beliefs were either written by outsiders (such as Ibn Fadlan and Tacitus) or Christians writing several generations later. Any attempt at a revival is bound to be an entirely modern, post-Christian retelling of how things supposedly used to be. For all we know the ancient peoples in question viewed these deities in ways that make absolutely no sense outside of that particular culture.It’s also entirely likely that they don’t hold the gap between modern and ancient paganism to be as big an issue as you do. They’re aware of it to be sure (even the most hardcore reconstructionists I’ve ever come across haven’t been deluded enough to think that what they are doing today is exactly like what the ancients did), but most don’t see it as a barrier between them and their gods.
We cannot underestimate that God has created mankind to seek Him and that we have an innate motivation to connect with the deity. Non-Christians have done this since the beginning of time, some coming closer to the Truth than others. All religions, to some extent, are a reflection of this desire to connect with the Holy.Good point, my approach would definitely not be the best way to start a conversation. I was trying to present the underlying problems with such a belief system. In my experience, most if not practically all neo-pagans I’ve come in contact with have harbored a deep seated resentment toward Christianity long before adopting their current religious beliefs.
I don’t see it as so much as an issue of a lineage that was broken as I see it as an issue of historicity. The only accounts we have of these ancient people’s beliefs were either written by outsiders (such as Ibn Fadlan and Tacitus) or Christians writing several generations later. Any attempt at a revival is bound to be an entirely modern, post-Christian retelling of how things supposedly used to be. For all we know the ancient peoples in question viewed these deities in ways that make absolutely no sense outside of that particular culture.
Father John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary:A childhood friend of mine is in prison, and I recently began communicating with him via letters. He knows I am Catholic and discerning a vocation. Anyway, he is what he calls a “Heathen”. I know the term vaguely, but apparently there is a movement called “Heathenry” to which he subscribes. I am working very slowly to evangelize, but I need a way to combat this. If anyone has info, I appreciate it! And yes, I have googled, but I desire a Catholic response.
Yes, I was taught that a heathen was a person “of the heath”, a country dweller.. It is Germanic or Nordic in origin, though compared to pagan with is Gk.Father John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary:
HEATHEN. Originally an unconverted member of a people, who does not acknowledge the God of Judeo-Christian revelation. Biblical translations fluctuate between “heathen” and “pagan” for unbelievers, e.g., Psalm 2:8. The term has come to mean anyone who does not believe in God, and less commonly those who are believers but are not Christian or Jews.