Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2002, Page 23
terrorism in the United States undertaken in anticipation of or response to the arrival of the
new millenium‖ (FBI, 1999, p. 1). Megiddo, named for a hill in Northern Israel with
apocalyptic significance, illustrates the Gnostic bridge between Odinism and Christian
Identity, but does not specifically vilify Ásatrú:
Odinism provides dualism -as does Christian Identity -with regard to the
universe being made up of worlds of light (white people) and worlds of dark
(non-white people). The most fundamental difference between the two
ideologies is that Odinists do not believe in Jesus Christ. However, there are
enough similarities between the myths and legends of Odinism and its beliefs
of Christian Identity to make a smooth transition from Christian Identity to
Odinism for those racist individuals whose penchant for violence is not being
satisfied [as Mathews was not being satisfied within the Aryan Nations
church]. (FBI, 1999, p. 20)
In response to this report, Michael Valgard Murray, credited as the ―head of the
International Ásatrú/Odinic Alliance (IAOA)‖ (CESNUR, 1999, ¶ 1) issued several
statements, as did the Ásatrú Folk Assembly in their rebuttal, Ásatrú/Odinism: A Briefing for
Law Enforcement Officials. (Asatru Folk Assembly, 2001). Osferth, head of the Odinic Rite
Vinland, issued the following statement:
Odinists will celebrate the beginning of our year 2250 on the Winter Solstice,
our New Year‘s Eve. We practice a pre-Christian religion that does not
recognize Armageddon or a second coming related to the Christian doctrine
or calendar...The FBI‘s suggestion that the year 2000, the second coming of
Christ, or Armageddon have any significance to Odinists makes no sense
whatsoever. (CESNUR, 1999, ¶ 3)
Murray voiced conspiratorial concerns in stating:
False, misleading and deceptive information about our religion and its
followers in an FBI report released in October about possible millennium-
related violence raises grave concerns about the government‘s
intentions....What‘s next? Will we be fed to the lions?..Let‘s not forget the
fate suffered by the Branch Davidians at Waco. (CESNUR, 1999, ¶ 1-3)
Murray seems to be continuing to hold on to the former beliefs of his racialist affiliates in
mentioning such extreme views. Perhaps the preferred move on his and all Ásatrúar‘s part
would be to disavow all connection with the term Odinism.
On an entirely separate level of deviation is a group professing Skertru. This may be the
closest Ásatrú-based theology to resemble a cult. Much like ―Joseph Smith...the leader and
prophet of Mormonism [who] presented himself as the recipient of a divine revelation -The
Book of Mormon‖ (Garvey, 1983, p. 60), the founder of Skertru has imparted to his
followers divine knowledge sent to him from Odin himself. Regarding this, HeimdallR hinn
gamli reports:
Skergard/Skertru, based upon heretical writings of Lars Anthony Cone a/k/a
Lars Agnarsson. Cites as ―divine revelation‖ his ―receipt of both Skerbok and
the Nana‘smal directly from Odin, while high in the Colorado Rockies,‖ the
preceding is a direct quote from Lars (personal communication, February 6,
2001).
Grauwolf of the Wolfgar Freehold expands on this by writing,
I did remember, and confirm, that Lars Agnarsson was part of the RoT...[it is
possible] that somebody came along and managed to show him up for the
fraud that he was. (personal communication, March 28, 2001)
terrorism in the United States undertaken in anticipation of or response to the arrival of the
new millenium‖ (FBI, 1999, p. 1). Megiddo, named for a hill in Northern Israel with
apocalyptic significance, illustrates the Gnostic bridge between Odinism and Christian
Identity, but does not specifically vilify Ásatrú:
Odinism provides dualism -as does Christian Identity -with regard to the
universe being made up of worlds of light (white people) and worlds of dark
(non-white people). The most fundamental difference between the two
ideologies is that Odinists do not believe in Jesus Christ. However, there are
enough similarities between the myths and legends of Odinism and its beliefs
of Christian Identity to make a smooth transition from Christian Identity to
Odinism for those racist individuals whose penchant for violence is not being
satisfied [as Mathews was not being satisfied within the Aryan Nations
church]. (FBI, 1999, p. 20)
In response to this report, Michael Valgard Murray, credited as the ―head of the
International Ásatrú/Odinic Alliance (IAOA)‖ (CESNUR, 1999, ¶ 1) issued several
statements, as did the Ásatrú Folk Assembly in their rebuttal, Ásatrú/Odinism: A Briefing for
Law Enforcement Officials. (Asatru Folk Assembly, 2001). Osferth, head of the Odinic Rite
Vinland, issued the following statement:
Odinists will celebrate the beginning of our year 2250 on the Winter Solstice,
our New Year‘s Eve. We practice a pre-Christian religion that does not
recognize Armageddon or a second coming related to the Christian doctrine
or calendar...The FBI‘s suggestion that the year 2000, the second coming of
Christ, or Armageddon have any significance to Odinists makes no sense
whatsoever. (CESNUR, 1999, ¶ 3)
Murray voiced conspiratorial concerns in stating:
False, misleading and deceptive information about our religion and its
followers in an FBI report released in October about possible millennium-
related violence raises grave concerns about the government‘s
intentions....What‘s next? Will we be fed to the lions?..Let‘s not forget the
fate suffered by the Branch Davidians at Waco. (CESNUR, 1999, ¶ 1-3)
Murray seems to be continuing to hold on to the former beliefs of his racialist affiliates in
mentioning such extreme views. Perhaps the preferred move on his and all Ásatrúar‘s part
would be to disavow all connection with the term Odinism.
On an entirely separate level of deviation is a group professing Skertru. This may be the
closest Ásatrú-based theology to resemble a cult. Much like ―Joseph Smith...the leader and
prophet of Mormonism [who] presented himself as the recipient of a divine revelation -The
Book of Mormon‖ (Garvey, 1983, p. 60), the founder of Skertru has imparted to his
followers divine knowledge sent to him from Odin himself. Regarding this, HeimdallR hinn
gamli reports:
Skergard/Skertru, based upon heretical writings of Lars Anthony Cone a/k/a
Lars Agnarsson. Cites as ―divine revelation‖ his ―receipt of both Skerbok and
the Nana‘smal directly from Odin, while high in the Colorado Rockies,‖ the
preceding is a direct quote from Lars (personal communication, February 6,
2001).
Grauwolf of the Wolfgar Freehold expands on this by writing,
I did remember, and confirm, that Lars Agnarsson was part of the RoT...[it is
possible] that somebody came along and managed to show him up for the
fraud that he was. (personal communication, March 28, 2001)
