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'''The Odin Brotherhood''' is an [[Odinism|Odinist]] (i.e. [[Germanic Neopaganism|Germanic Neopagan]]) [[secret society]] which allegedly "preserves genuine traditions of pre-Christian paganism".<ref> Michael Streeter. ''Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies''. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3 </ref> |
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{{notability|date=September 2012}} |
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The Odin Brotherhood have been referred to in a number of publications on religions or secret societies, <ref>See, for example, Michael Streeter. ''Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies''. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3 </ref> and the Odin Brotherhood is listed in the eighth edition of the [[Encyclopedia of American Religions]] of Dr. [[J. Gordon Melton]], with members in many nations<ref>See [[J. Gordon Melton]].[[Encyclopedia of American Religions]], 8th edition, Gale Cengage (2009), ISBN 0-7876-9696-X, pp. 861f</ref>. |
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In the words of Dr. Melton, "The brotherhood has distanced itself from the racism that has infected Norse beliefs in the twentieth century and eschews the idea that there are either chosen peoples or master races." <ref>See [[J. Gordon Melton]]. [[Encyclopedia of American Religions]], 8th edition, Gale Cengage (2009), ISBN 0-7876-9696-X, pp. 861f</ref> |
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The Odin Brotherhood was one of the groups monitored by the [[Cult Awareness Network]] <ref> [http://www.cesnur.org/2001/CAN/appendix_B.htm Cult Awareness Network]</ref>. |
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==Claims== |
==Claims== |
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The Odin Brotherhood was first described in print in a 1992 book by '''Mark Mirabello''', who claims he encountered it while conducting earning a PhD in History from [[Glasgow University]]<ref>[http://theses.gla.ac.uk/896/ Mirabello's Ph.D. Dissertation]</ref> Mirabello is now a professor of History at [[Shawnee State University]].<ref>[http://www.shawnee.edu/acad/ssci/faculty/mmirabello.html Social Sciences Faculty homepage at Shawnee University].</ref> and the author of several books. <ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/identities/find?fullName=mark%20mirabello WorldCat Identities] </ref> He has appeared in on the [[History (TV channel)]] (formerly known as the History Channel) and in documentary film. <ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4676806/ Mirabello at IMDB]</ref><ref>[http://www.markmirabello.com See Also Author Web Site]</ref> |
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''The Odin Brotherhood'' was first published in 1992<ref name=mirabello1992>''The Odin Brotherhood: A Non-fiction Account of Contact with an Ancient Brotherhood : with a New Epilogue a Statement on the Odin Brotherhood : an Odinist Prophecy''. Holmes Publishing Group. 1992</ref> and republished in 1994, 1995, 2002 and 2003.<ref name=mirabello2003>Mark Mirabello. ''The Odin Brotherhood''. 5th edition, Oxford: Mandrake of Oxford, 2003, p.27 ISBN 1-869928-71-7</ref> It takes the form of a dialog between Mirabello and one of the members of the group. Mirabello says that members of the group chose him for the task of revealing their existence to the public and become a "a recruiting tool".<ref name=mirabello2003 /><ref name=streeter2008 /> Mirabello's claims have since been referred to in a number of publications on religions or secret societies,<ref name=streeter2008 /><ref name=melton2007/> although there is no independent confirmation of the group's existence beyond Mirabello's work.<ref name=harvey1997>Graham Harvey. ''Paganism Today: Wiccans, Druids, the Goddess and Ancient Earth Traditions for the Twenty-First Century''. Thorsons. 1997. p. 43. ISBN 0-7225-3233-4</ref> Neopagan groups calling themselves the Odin Brotherhood based on Mirabello's account have since been listed in the eighth edition of the [[Encyclopedia of American Religions]], with members in many nations.<ref name=melton2007>See [[J. Gordon Melton]]. [[Encyclopedia of American Religions]], 8th edition, Gale Cengage (2009), ISBN 0-7876-9696-X, pp. 861f.</ref> |
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''The Odin Brotherhood'' by Mirabello was first published in 1992<ref name=mirabello1992>''The Odin Brotherhood: A Non-fiction Account of Contact with an Ancient Brotherhood : with a New Epilogue a Statement on the Odin Brotherhood''. Holmes Publishing Group. 1992</ref> and republished in 1994, 1995, 2002 and 2003.<ref name=mirabello2003>Mark Mirabello. ''The Odin Brotherhood''. 5th edition, Oxford: Mandrake of Oxford, 2003, p.27 ISBN 1-869928-71-7</ref>and it has never gone out of print.<ref>[http://www.booksinprint.com/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|14235456|10765077&mc=USA Bowker Books in Print]</ref> It takes the form of a dialog between the author and one of the members of the group. Mirabello says that members of the group chose him as "a recruiting tool".<ref>Michael Streeter. ''Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies''. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3 </ref> |
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Researcher Graham Harvey |
Researcher Graham Harvey, writing in 1995, said that he couldn't find any evidence or independent confirmation of the group's existence beyond Mirabello's work.<ref name=harvey1997>Charlotte Hardman and Graham Harvey. ''Paganism Today: Wiccans, Druids, the Goddess and Ancient Earth Traditions for the Twenty-First Century''. Thorsons. 1995. p. 43. ISBN 0-7225-3233-4</ref> Today, however, the group has anonymous web sites and a forum where members post under pseudonyms. <ref>see [http://www.odinbrotherhood.com The Odin Brotherhood]. Their forum may be accessed through the site.</ref> |
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The rites of the group are described in a short book called ''Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood'' of unknown author, the information was allegedly given by a [[Scottish Highlands|Highland]] member of the group.<ref>Anonymous. "[http://www.odinbrotherhood.com/uploads/3/9/5/9/395973/teachings_of_the_odin_brotherhood.pdf Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood]." pgs XXVII-XXIX.</ref |
The rites of the group are also described in a short book called ''Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood'' of unknown author, the information was allegedly given by a [[Scottish Highlands|Highland]] member of the group.<ref>Anonymous. "[http://www.odinbrotherhood.com/uploads/3/9/5/9/395973/teachings_of_the_odin_brotherhood.pdf Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood]." pgs XXVII-XXIX.</ref> |
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Also, a new book on the Odin Brotherhood, from Jack Wolf of Canada, will be published in 2013.<ref>[http://www.odinbrotherhood.com/new-book.html New Book on the Odin Brotherhood]</ref> |
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⚫ | According to Mirabello, the Odin Brotherhood claims that it preserves genuine traditions of pre-Christian paganism.<ref> Michael Streeter. ''Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies''. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3 </ref><ref name=adkins2011>Stephen E. Adkins. ''Encyclopedia of Right-Wing Extremism in Modern American History''. ABC-CLIO, 2011, p. 172. ISBN 1-59884-350-8</ref><ref>Jeffrey Kaplan. ''Radical Religion in America: Millenarian Movements from the Far Right to the Children of Noah''. Syracuse University Press. 1997. ISBN 0-8156-0396-7 footnote 26 in page 196</ref> He says that the group was founded in 1421: a a widow was accused of practicing Odinism and burned, and a Catholic priest forced his two sons and daughter to witness the burning, those children were Christians in public, but secretly formed the group to preserve Odinism.<ref name=adkins2011 /> Many groups have made claims of being many years old, and it would be really extraordinary if the group had been really founded in 1421.<ref> Michael Streeter. ''Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies''. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3 </ref> |
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==Beliefs and Practices== |
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The [[initiation]] rite of the Odin Brotherhood involves solitude, a diet of bread and ice, a white shroud, a dagger, and a fire.<ref>Anonymous. "Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood." pgs XXVII-XXIX.</ref> The ritual is based on the "marking with the spear" ceremony described in the [[Ynglinga Saga]] by [[Snorri Sturluson]]. |
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The [[initiation]] rite, described in pages XXVII-XXIX of the ''Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood'', involves making three small cuts in the flesh, in the name of "holy, necessary violence." <ref>Michael Streeter. ''Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies''. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3 </ref> |
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⚫ | The Odin Brotherhood embraces [[polytheism]]. "Hard Polytheists," members believe that the gods are distinct, separate real divine beings not psychological archetypes or personifications of natural forces. Hard polytheists reject the idea that "all gods are one God" The Odin Brotherhood believes that [[monotheism]], "the belief in one totalitarian god, is preposterous and absurd." The Brotherhood insists that "no single, superordinary, ineffable entity controls all realities.".<ref name=mirabello2003>Mark Mirabello. ''The Odin Brotherhood''. 5th edition, Oxford: Mandrake of Oxford, 2003, p.27 ISBN 1-869928-71-7</ref> |
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== Further reading == |
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Reviews of Mirabello's ''The Odin Brotherhood'': |
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⚫ | * {{citation |author= Sarah Pike |url= http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/nr.1998.2.1.159 |title= The Odin Brotherhood: A True Account of a Dialogue With a Mysterious Fraternity (book review) |journal= [[Nova Religio]] |volume= 2 |issue= 1 |date= October 1998 |pages= 159-160 |doi= 10.1525/nr.1998.2.1.159 }} |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*[[Germanic Neopaganism]] |
*[[Germanic Neopaganism]] |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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⚫ | * {{citation |author= Sarah Pike |url= http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/nr.1998.2.1.159 |title= The Odin Brotherhood: A True Account of a Dialogue With a Mysterious Fraternity (book review) |journal= [[Nova Religio]] |volume= 2 |issue= 1 |date= October 1998 |pages= 159-160 |doi= 10.1525/nr.1998.2.1.159 }} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* |
*[http://www.odinbrotherhood.com/ An Odin Brotherhood Web Site] |
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*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP44LNEvnSg Radio Interview on the Odin Brotherhood] |
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* PDF files of an Odin Brotherhood text in [http://www.archive.org/details/TheOdinBrotherhoodANon-fictionAccountOfContactWithAPaganSecret English], [http://www.archive.org/details/IrmandadeDeOdin Portuguese], and [http://darkbooks.org/pp.php?v=583649373 Spanish]. |
* PDF files of an Odin Brotherhood text in [http://www.archive.org/details/TheOdinBrotherhoodANon-fictionAccountOfContactWithAPaganSecret English], [http://www.archive.org/details/IrmandadeDeOdin Portuguese], and [http://darkbooks.org/pp.php?v=583649373 Spanish]. |
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[[Category:Germanic neopaganism]] |
[[Category:Germanic neopaganism]] |
Revision as of 07:26, 17 September 2012
The Odin Brotherhood is an Odinist (i.e. Germanic Neopagan) secret society which allegedly "preserves genuine traditions of pre-Christian paganism".[1] The Odin Brotherhood have been referred to in a number of publications on religions or secret societies, [2] and the Odin Brotherhood is listed in the eighth edition of the Encyclopedia of American Religions of Dr. J. Gordon Melton, with members in many nations[3].
In the words of Dr. Melton, "The brotherhood has distanced itself from the racism that has infected Norse beliefs in the twentieth century and eschews the idea that there are either chosen peoples or master races." [4]
The Odin Brotherhood was one of the groups monitored by the Cult Awareness Network [5].
Claims
The Odin Brotherhood was first described in print in a 1992 book by Mark Mirabello, who claims he encountered it while conducting earning a PhD in History from Glasgow University[6] Mirabello is now a professor of History at Shawnee State University.[7] and the author of several books. [8] He has appeared in on the History (TV channel) (formerly known as the History Channel) and in documentary film. [9][10]
The Odin Brotherhood by Mirabello was first published in 1992[11] and republished in 1994, 1995, 2002 and 2003.[12]and it has never gone out of print.[13] It takes the form of a dialog between the author and one of the members of the group. Mirabello says that members of the group chose him as "a recruiting tool".[14]
Researcher Graham Harvey, writing in 1995, said that he couldn't find any evidence or independent confirmation of the group's existence beyond Mirabello's work.[15] Today, however, the group has anonymous web sites and a forum where members post under pseudonyms. [16]
The rites of the group are also described in a short book called Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood of unknown author, the information was allegedly given by a Highland member of the group.[17]
Also, a new book on the Odin Brotherhood, from Jack Wolf of Canada, will be published in 2013.[18]
According to Mirabello, the Odin Brotherhood claims that it preserves genuine traditions of pre-Christian paganism.[19][20][21] He says that the group was founded in 1421: a a widow was accused of practicing Odinism and burned, and a Catholic priest forced his two sons and daughter to witness the burning, those children were Christians in public, but secretly formed the group to preserve Odinism.[20] Many groups have made claims of being many years old, and it would be really extraordinary if the group had been really founded in 1421.[22]
Beliefs and Practices
The initiation rite of the Odin Brotherhood involves solitude, a diet of bread and ice, a white shroud, a dagger, and a fire.[23] The ritual is based on the "marking with the spear" ceremony described in the Ynglinga Saga by Snorri Sturluson.
The initiation rite, described in pages XXVII-XXIX of the Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood, involves making three small cuts in the flesh, in the name of "holy, necessary violence." [24]
The Odin Brotherhood embraces polytheism. "Hard Polytheists," members believe that the gods are distinct, separate real divine beings not psychological archetypes or personifications of natural forces. Hard polytheists reject the idea that "all gods are one God" The Odin Brotherhood believes that monotheism, "the belief in one totalitarian god, is preposterous and absurd." The Brotherhood insists that "no single, superordinary, ineffable entity controls all realities.".[12]
Further reading
Reviews of Mirabello's The Odin Brotherhood:
- Kick, Russ. Outposts: A Catalog of Rare and Disturbing Alternative Information. Carroll & Graf Publishing, 1995. ISBN 0-7867-0202-8. p. 181
- Sarah Pike (October 1998), "The Odin Brotherhood: A True Account of a Dialogue With a Mysterious Fraternity (book review)", Nova Religio, 2 (1): 159–160, doi:10.1525/nr.1998.2.1.159
See also
References
- ^ Michael Streeter. Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3
- ^ See, for example, Michael Streeter. Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3
- ^ See J. Gordon Melton.Encyclopedia of American Religions, 8th edition, Gale Cengage (2009), ISBN 0-7876-9696-X, pp. 861f
- ^ See J. Gordon Melton. Encyclopedia of American Religions, 8th edition, Gale Cengage (2009), ISBN 0-7876-9696-X, pp. 861f
- ^ Cult Awareness Network
- ^ Mirabello's Ph.D. Dissertation
- ^ Social Sciences Faculty homepage at Shawnee University.
- ^ WorldCat Identities
- ^ Mirabello at IMDB
- ^ See Also Author Web Site
- ^ The Odin Brotherhood: A Non-fiction Account of Contact with an Ancient Brotherhood : with a New Epilogue a Statement on the Odin Brotherhood. Holmes Publishing Group. 1992
- ^ a b Mark Mirabello. The Odin Brotherhood. 5th edition, Oxford: Mandrake of Oxford, 2003, p.27 ISBN 1-869928-71-7
- ^ Bowker Books in Print
- ^ Michael Streeter. Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3
- ^ Charlotte Hardman and Graham Harvey. Paganism Today: Wiccans, Druids, the Goddess and Ancient Earth Traditions for the Twenty-First Century. Thorsons. 1995. p. 43. ISBN 0-7225-3233-4
- ^ see The Odin Brotherhood. Their forum may be accessed through the site.
- ^ Anonymous. "Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood." pgs XXVII-XXIX.
- ^ New Book on the Odin Brotherhood
- ^ Michael Streeter. Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3
- ^ a b Stephen E. Adkins. Encyclopedia of Right-Wing Extremism in Modern American History. ABC-CLIO, 2011, p. 172. ISBN 1-59884-350-8
- ^ Jeffrey Kaplan. Radical Religion in America: Millenarian Movements from the Far Right to the Children of Noah. Syracuse University Press. 1997. ISBN 0-8156-0396-7 footnote 26 in page 196
- ^ Michael Streeter. Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3
- ^ Anonymous. "Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood." pgs XXVII-XXIX.
- ^ Michael Streeter. Behind Closed Doors: The Power and Influence of Secret Societies. New Holland Publishers Uk Ltd. 2008. pgs 143-5, 258. ISBN 1-84537-937-3
External links
- An Odin Brotherhood Web Site
- Radio Interview on the Odin Brotherhood
- PDF files of an Odin Brotherhood text in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.