Heathendom and In-Group Exclusivity

There is a spectrum of division on modern Heathendom, based on differing perceptions of exclusivity. From the universalists who take the stance that we are all the same and should set aside perceived differences for whatever reason to the (sometimes radical) individualists who see themselves as their primary sacral locus, different Heathens approach the concept of exclusivity in the context of religious expression in various ways.

This variance has caused a fair amount of tension over the years but, more often, it simply causes confusion. Whilst it is a growing religious group, Heathendom is very much a minority religion. In the UK census of 2011, some 1,867 people self-identified as Heathen in the religion section for England. That is 1,867 out of a population of 53,012,456, or 1 in 28,394.46 people. That places Heathens as 0.0035% of the population. As such, when one Heathen finds another, there is often an inclination to find commonality.

A common tactic is to try and put all differences aside in order to have some sense of community. To such people, it doesn’t matter what your approach to Heathendom is, so long as you are respectful of difference. Such people form heterogenous communities and may well even join communities with other modern pagan movements, such as Paganism, Wicca, or Druidry. Any community being better than none.

When required to put part of ourselves to one side, we often feel that we are being denied to ability to really be ourselves. Rather than compromise themselves, some people make the decision to be more exclusive in their approach to religious community. Taken to the extreme, a person may become a “solitary practitioner” – they see their religious expression as simply between themselves and their gods.

To quickly note, there is a distinction between a solitary Heathen and an isolated Heathen. Whilst the solitary Heathen chooses to be alone in their practice, the isolated Heathen is alone due to external circumstance. Many isolated Heathens are more than ready to join or form a community with other Heathens, if only there were other Heathens in their locality to be in community with.

Between the two extremes we find a middle ground populated by a variety of different approaches to community. Most infamously, perhaps, are those who define their community along racially exclusive lines. For them, it is not enough to simply hold a Heathen worldview. They also assert that a specific Northern European racial component is required in order to be part of their Heathen community.

For most others, though, exclusivity is more defined by approach to Heathendom. Such as whether you favour an Anglo-Saxon, Continental Germanic, Norse, or even pan-Germanic approach to Heathen practice.

Regardless of how community is (or isn’t) defined, Heathens will set their own rules and codes, and sometimes even write their own lore. How much they interact with other Heathens, or other Heathen communities varies on an individual basis. Some are more insular than others, and there can even be bitter enmity between groups, if there is perceived grievance.

The one commonality between all groups and individuals, other than identifying as Heathen (or some variant), is the acknowledgement that what one person or group does is not reflective of the whole.