Heathenry in Canada

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Part of a series on
Heathenry
Modern paganism
Theory Norse cosmology
Veneration Gods Elves Ancestors Wights Jötnar
Sources Proto-Indo-European religion Germanic paganism Germanic folklore
Organisation Holidays Gothi priesthood Religious institutions: Åsatrufellesskapet Bifrost Ásatrú Alliance Asatru Folk Assembly Ásatrúarfélagið Asatru UK Community of Forn Sed Sweden Forn Siðr — Ásatrú and Vanatrú Association in Denmark Odinist Fellowship The Troth
Spread Heathenry in Canada Heathenry in the United Kingdom Heathenry in the United States Modern paganism in Scandinavia
v t e

"Heathenry" as it is expressed in Canada is used as a universal term to describe a wide range of Germanic Neopaganism. Those who practice the religions or folk-ways of Ásatrú, Forn Sed, Odinism or Theodism are all considered part of a greater Heathen umbrella. In Canada, Heathenry takes a socially liberal standing in its philosophy.^{[citation needed]} The exclusion of adherents on the basis of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, other group affiliation as well as other discriminatory factors is opposed by most Canadian Heathen groups, although there are, as in the United States a small number of racially minded groups that limit their membership to those of "Nordic ancestry".^{[citation needed]}

The Heathenry Confederation of Canada^[1] is a national organization that aims to educate and build understanding about heathenry. There is, also, an on-line portal that provides neutral information about heathenry (Asatru.ca). There are also provincial organizations and forums such as the Heathen Freehold Society of British Columbia, and Maritime Heathens. There are also numerous smaller organizations dedicated to the same goal of advancing Heathenry in Canada such as Clearwater Kindred and Rúnatýr Kindred.

Canadian Heathenry has been largely influenced by national organizations in the United States such as The Troth, Ásatrú Alliance and Ásatrú Folk Assembly. There is also a high degree of influence drawn from British, Scandinavian and other European organizations including the Odinic Rite. While the division between "folkish" and "universalist" Heathen expressions is not as deeply rooted in the culture as it is in the US, other differences such as regarding the acceptance of Jötunn (Giants) and elements of Wicca into the religion are more controversial.