Draft:Folkism

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Folkism is a pseudoscientific and racist idea within certain pagan and neopagan circles that states that being of a certain ethnic group entitles one to special advantages or privileges within the pagan religion.

The most prominent proponent of folkism is named Stephen A. McNallen, a white nationalist who founded the Asatru Folk Assembly, a denomination of Heathenry which promotes the idea that only those of Germanic ancestry (and later white people) can be real Heathens. Polytheism has historically blended with other cultures, such as the ancient Graeco-Roman religion, which itself took elements from the ancient Egyptian religion.

Pagan reconstructionist YouTuber Ocean Keltoi and Hellenist YouTuber Aliakai defined folkism as ‘the belief that ancestral ties give benefit, privilege, or access to a religious tradition, especially in lieu of a living culture’.

Folkism conveniently ignores the fact that throughout history, pagan religions have integrated with one another, especially with Graeco-Roman paganism and Ancient Egyptian paganism. The goddess Isis, originally worshipped by the Egyptians, came to be revered in the Graeco-Roman pantheon as well.

White Supremacy and Racism

Often tying in with white genocide conspiracy theories, folkism typically presents itself as an expression of a persecuted culture. Many, including McNallen, fearmonger over denazification and the so-called ‘Islamification of Germany’, citing Muslim immigration to Europe as a threat to European cultures.

The Asatru Folk Assembly is known for having refused non-white pagans entry/membership in their organization, but often deny being racist or use the classic “I’m racist, but I don’t hate anyone” cop-out. McNallen himself, who would not look out of place holding an “Irish need not apply” sign, often uses militaristic language like “I will fight for my race” to demonize so-called non-Aryans.

Despite being supposedly tied to certain cultures, different folkist groups’ hypocrisy has been shown very clearly. Many will be Norse pagan groups, but accept anyone of European ancestry, despite the fact that according to their ideology, one should have to be of Germanic ancestry to be able to practice Heathenry. This goes to show that they do not care about culture as they claim, and only use it as a cover for their white supremacist views.

Large portions of this movement are also strongly antisemitic, often blaming the Jews for their ills, especially the creation of Christianity.

Misogyny and Homophobia

Unsurprisingly for a white supremacist movement, misogyny and homophobia run rampant. The Asatru Folk Assembly itself has made various posts attacking LGBT people and celebrating women who “birth the future” of their so-called “Aryan race”. Individuals such as Varg Vikernes carry such sentiment, saying that one cannot be pagan and also gay, unless of course, you are a woman.

Terrorism

Neo-Nazi and folkist pagan Varg Vikernes is known for having burned down several medieval churches in accordance with his ideology.

The Wolves of Vinland, a pagan neo-Nazi group, had a member responsible for attempting to burn down Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.