Episode 11 - National Organizations - The AFA
The next group of ‘casts will be about National Asatru Organizations and what they offer individuals. The first interview was with Stephen McNallen of the Asatru Folk Assembly. We talk about what the AFA has been up to including the assistance to have Thor’s Hammer listed as an emblem of belief.
For more information about the AFA check out runestone.org. You can also contact Stephen directly at AFA@runestone.org.
To have a look at what is going on in Washington DC for the Pagan rally on July 4 go to paganreligiousrights.org.
Next month: The Troth
Listen Now:
Standard Podcasts [39:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (3801)
This is an interview that should be heard by all who are interested in Asatru and seeking the way home to our ancestral folkway of Northern Europe and the North Atlantic Isles. Steve McNallen explains what Asatru and the Asatru Folk Assembly is in clear, concise terms.
Mary Minshall said this on July 2nd, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Excellent Interview!
Dan of the Oak said this on July 2nd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
What a GREAT interview with Steve McNallen!! Steve did an excellent job of explaining the goals of the AFA, as well as the benefits of being an AFA member.
Bart Lewis said this on July 2nd, 2007 at 8:13 pm
It’s nice to know that one of the primary leaders of Asatru in the U.S. doesn’t sound loopy over a podcast and can sound relatively cogent and reasonable. Stephen McNallen does indeed put a good face on the movement … or at least a good voice. I like that many Asatruar tend to be pretty intelligent people. It makes me un-ashamed to associate with the movement. In other words, I may have been drawn to the movement through the print medium, but it’s nice to know that the flesh-and-bone representatives are pretty cool people to boot.
(By the way, the female voice (I forget her name, bless her heart) sounded a bit tin-ny in spots, as I’m sure you recognized. Perhaps this was because you were speaking through a phone or something. That’s more just a technical glitch, of course. )
Corey Wicks said this on July 2nd, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Informative and inviting. What a great use of medium to touch on the fundamental aspects of the AFA. There is a quote that has always stuck with me in relation to Asatru by Jormundur Ingi Hansen, “Behavior of people within society is absolutely the same as within the religion, you are consistent in your beliefs.” The religion does not clash with the society because it is axiomatic within its people. Steve really explains how this is realized in many forms but especially in the AFA. Logical, inclusive and concise. How our beliefs become action and how both then influence ourselves, those around us, and create what is our world. Fantastic! Ill be passing this along, thank you!
Yvonne Gillham said this on July 3rd, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Interesting interview and I am looking forward to hearing the rest of this series. I see you will be interviewing someone from the Troth. I hope that will be as enlightening. I also hope you are going to interview the leadership of the Odinic Rite, that being an organisation which has membership across the globe. I am not yet a practicing Asatruar but am becoming drawn towards this path so hearing from different viewpoints and organizations is very helpful and interesting.
J.Napier said this on July 4th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Also, perhaps Edred Thorsson’s Rune-Gild. He’s a colorful character, as you know, and I’m sure he’d make an interesting interview.
Corey Wicks said this on July 5th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
This is a cool idea, yeah it would be interesting to hear from Edred, Im not sure what he is really about but would be interesting Also gotta agree, would be really cool to get an interview with the Odinic Rite, those guys really have had major influence, bit controversial but wuld be cool to hear from them. I saw the video interview with Heimgest and it was the best Odinist/Asatru vid Ive seen so will hope you can get him for this. Thanks for this stuff
Anonymous said this on July 6th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Like what he said about getting away from the heavy drinking, the “old boy’s network”, etc.
Dottye said this on July 8th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
As a longtime supporter of the AFA, I’ll say thank you.
The interview did a good job of capturing what Asafolk, particularly AFAers, have learned over the years of how to approach both the Holy and the everyday.
Steven "Piparskeggr" Robinson said this on July 8th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Thanks to Dave and Sandi for giving the various national organizations a forum where we can all be heard. Thanks to Steve McNallen for his interview - I am always interested in the role of our various organizations within our mutual faith.
Patricia Lafayllve said this on July 10th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I’m suprised that you made it thru an entire interview about the AFA and didn’t address the largest issue levied against the AFA by it’s critics: the issue of race. I have heard so may negative things said about the AFA and would have appreciated a chance to hear an explanation straight from the source.
If the purpose of these interviews is to educate regarding the various national organizations I believe it is important to present both the pluses and the minuses, so that each individual can make a fully-informed decision about membership. I don’t want to look like I’m just picking on the AFA. I hope that when you interview the person from the Troth you will address the main charge against them: that they’re too fluffy and tied to Wicca.
Asatru Newbie said this on July 24th, 2007 at 9:56 am
A most excellent interview. Thanks for sharing
brainwise said this on July 24th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Newbie,
There is a method to the madness.
We have set out a very specific format for these latest interviews. We expect that by keeping the questions similar, the differences between said groups will pop out that much more clearly. We do try to keep each of the ‘casts to a fairly narrow topic specifically to get deeper into issues.
And maybe future interviews are in the mix. One never knows.
Ravencast said this on July 26th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Wonderful interview on a real, quality Heathen organization.
Theresa said this on November 19th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
A great interview. I think it is important to join national organizations. Without them we, as Asatru, will not get far. The AFA is doing some great work.
Erik said this on March 1st, 2008 at 6:21 pm