Heathen Reservation or Heathen Compound?
I was discussing this with a few people about the idea of having a large plot of private land, like a few hundred acres or more, and having heathen families live there. This could either be considered a heathen compound or a heathen reservation. The former having a shady connotation. I guess it would depend how exclusive one would make the area, how secretive. For reservations I could make the comparison to indian land, but it's technically sovereign, so it wouldn't really be the same as a reservation for heathens. A better comparison might be amish land, which isn't sovereign, but clearly an area for their ways and worldview. They still interact with us "english" but retain their culture and practices without interference. And no one considers amish country to have the shady connotations of compounds. When I think of compounds I think of waco, and neo-nazis, militias, cult things, etc.
Just some thoughts. What y'all think?
Cross-posted on the Suthfolc FB wall.
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Comments
I think this is a great idea,
I think this is a great idea, minus the title "compound". The main issue I can see is that most Americans consider themselves to be Christians and the Amish are merely another Christian sect, therefore they are "socially acceptable". A Heathen reservation would definitely be viewed as a cultic compound by the general public and I assure you any media coverage on such a place would use such verbiage. I think it would definitely need to be open to the public outside of ritual gatherings to show people that we are not a bunch of loony, cultist baby flayers.
Mmm - not so much
I think that the closest I would want to come to something like that would be a townhome complex populated with heathens, bordering a bit of forest land. I think removing ourselves too far from mainstream society would project the wrong idea about us, very reminiscent of Waco or other cult groups. Doesn't matter that the reality would be nothing of the sort, the perception is all that the media would need. Plus there's access to jobs - how many of us rely upon various aspects of the modern world for employment - technology, modern conveniences, etc.
Recently a heathen named John
Recently a heathen named John T Mainer cross-posted on various lists about this exact topic, and I found it very compelling. He titled it "Heathens and Community", here's an excerpt:
" In pulling heathens out to form our own communities, we would be taking the chrome out of the iron, leaving it weak and ill forged where it could have been strong and flexible. Rather than being a key part of strong and vibrant communities, we would be little functional knots in a sea of struggle. Our security lies not in withdrawing from community, but in helping to build and heal them. Our nations have forgotten the meaning of worth, the duties of citizenship. The folk are no lesser now than they ever were, they just need teachers and leaders to show them how to do what the best of them hunger to do already; build community."
full post can be found here.
Súþfolc Heorþ
I support the Idea
I support the Idea completely for only a few reason. As it is most Heathen communities are having difficulty practicing without people biasing and hindering them. I know here in my country there is no shortage of landmass said Reserves or "compounds" could be built on. It would allow us to better get in touch with the practices and festivities. I know alot of those interested in Heathenry lack the knowledge of the gods and differences of each community. Take fore example how few know of Nerthus and Saxneat.