How literally do you take the myths? For instance, do you actually believe that a huge, red-bearded man with a hammer is driving a wagon through the sky when it thunders?
A. On the one hand, Asatruar definitely believe that the gods are real and that they have power over the world. On the other, they admit that all myths contain some symbolic language: The Norsemen described Thor as a huge, red-bearded man with a hammer because that’s the best way they could understand him. (How many Christians, after all, believe that they are actual sheep and that Jesus is an actual shepherd? Not many–but they still accept that Jesus exists and takes care of his followers.
Related Questions
- How literally do you take the myths? For instance, do you actually believe that a huge, red-bearded man with a hammer is driving a wagon through the sky when it thunders?
- Why do Catholics believe that the bread and wine actually turn into Christ’s body and blood at Mass?
- Do United Methodists believe the communion elements actually become the body and blood of Christ?
