Odalism (from the Proto-Germanic word ôþalan which roughly means 'heritage,') is a Teutonic Folkish movement based on pride in one's own ancient cultural and religious traditions, rather than adopting those of outside cultures. It is symbolized by the Odal rune (sometimes called othala). Although the word (because of its etymology) is used only for people with Germanic ancestry professing such an outlook, it can contain elements of Ásatrú, certain other European-based philosophical ideas, or even Christian extra-denominational ideas divorced from their Biblical roots (as long as the parts in question belong to the same identity as one's heritage).

Odalists consider all things that are unique to Germanic spheres of influence to be contributors to a greater definition of identity. In identity and an increasing sense of autonomy through specific as well as general identity (identity at all levels) it can be seen how all people regard spirituality. Odalists believe that everyone forms their spirituality from their own terms, whether they believe in the universality of spiritual truths or not. For that reason, taking the terminology of spiritual ideas and the ideas themselves from culturally relevant historically understood sources is seen to allow 'the self' a more precise regard for spiritual ideas, all because there is a greater sense of identity.

Odalists see all things coming from somewhere specific whether the thoughts those things yield profess universalism or not (compare relativism). That such uniqueness can be universal to everything different is then thought to give a wider range for spiritual concepts to be regarded on a whole, and so does more honour to the aesthetic of religious methodology for everyone regardless of heritage. It is like a mutually exclusive differentialism , but because it is heritage-based, followers consider it to be progressive, by developing new concepts and not be bound only to the tradition of ancient ways (like Ásatrú), as long as the concepts are novel and not borrowed. This series of self-innovations is thought to help give the world more variation, conveniently allowing a simultaneous ideologic context for social darwinism. Odalism, because of its rejection of logic or theoretical discoveries from different cultures, can certainly be seen even as a cognizant 'creative limitation' to one's view of reality. See also meta-ethics.

See also

• Neopaganism, Odinism
• Tribalization
• Social darwinism

External links

• Odinic Rite
• Heathen Front
• English Heathen Front
• Vinlandic Heathen Front