Heathen Front

The Allgermanische Heidnische Front (AHF) was an international Neo-Nazi organization espousing a philosophy influenced by anti-Semitism, xenophobia and folkish heathenry or Ásatrú, often called Odalism.

History

In 1993 the Norsk Hedensk Front (Norwegian Heathen Front) was founded, which soon evolved into the AHF, "a network of independent tribes."

The German chapter, Deutsche Heidnische Front, was founded in 1998 by Hendrik Möbus^{[citation needed]}. In 2001 the AHF claimed chapters in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, the USA, Canada, Russia, and Flanders.^[1]

Norwegian black metal musician and heathen Varg Vikernes has been linked to the Heathen Front. In a 2009 interview with Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, Vikernes states: "I have never formed or been a member of such organizations.^[2] The claim that Vikernes was the leader of the Heathen Front was initiated by the Norwegian anti-fascist magazine Monitor. In an interview, Vikernes states:

The NHF (Norwegian Heathen Front) was persecuted in Norway, by the Antifa/Monitor, who repeatedly wrote that the NHF was neo-Nazi and that leader was Varg Vikernes, and so forth. Even when the NHF told them that Varg Vikernes is not the leader of the NHF or the AHF they just kept on about it. Even the secret police claimed adamantly that I was the leader of the NHF when they interviewed one of the NHF guys ... He told them I wasn't the leader, but they just ignored him and trusted their own sources instead.^[3]

Although not being a member of the Allgermanische Heidnische Front, Vikernes maintained an affiliation with them during his time in prison, writing articles for their magazine. Vikernes later ceased to be involved with the organization.^[3]

Since 2006 the Allgermanische Heidnische Front is apparently defunct.^[4] Its former homepages were largely blanked and their respective domain names have now been taken over by commercial providers.

Ideology

The Heathen Front was at times accused of Neo-Nazism, white supremacism and anti-Semitism.^[5][6][7] For example, a 2001 report by the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism describes the Svensk Hednisk Front (Swedish Heathen Front – SHF) as "an emerging Nazi organization" with an ideology blending "Odinism, anti-Christianity and antisemitism."^[8]

However, various chapters and groups within the Heathen Front claimed on their home pages that they rejected "all forms" of xenophobia, racism and racist violence.

On his own home page Vikernes calls his world view Odalism.^[9] He describes "Odalism" as derived from Proto-Germanic ôþalan, "heritage," and Old Norse óðal, with meanings including "homeland," "inherited goods," and "distinguished family" and is a primarily Teutonic ethnic nationalist philosophy (folkish or "Völkisch") based on pride in one's own ancient cultural and religious traditions and rejection of those of outside cultures as less suited to one's nature. Its symbol is the Odal rune (ᛟ, sometimes called othala)^{[citation needed]}.

Odalists see all things as coming from somewhere specific and believe that everyone conceives of spirituality in their own terms, whether or not they believe in the existence of universal spiritual truths. Therefore, taking the terminology of spiritual ideas and the ideas themselves from culturally relevant sources is seen to allow the "self" a more precise understanding of spiritual ideas, because the terms will be more relevant and more in accord with a person's sense of identity.

Although Odalism is a Germanic word and hence used only by Germanic nationalists, Vikernes states that it is an inclusive term that could theoretically be used by all Europeans and for that matter non-Europeans,^[9] including Christians, providing their philosophies belong to their ancestral cultural identity. It is like a mutually exclusive differentialism, but Odalists consider it progressive providing new ideas are developed and ancient ways not seen as a limitation; each culture can then develop in its own way.

Odal was also the name of a magazine that carried articles by the Nazi ideologist Richard Walther Darré.^[10] However, Vikernes chose the word because "[f]inally, and perhaps most importantly, it is not a term tainted by history."^[9]

See also

• Social Darwinism
• Traditionalist School

References

1. ^ Gardell, p. 307, referring to the now defunct homepage: http://www.heathenfront.org/chap.htm
2. ^ Midtskogen, Rune (4 July 2009). "«Greven» angrer ingenting ["The Count" regrets nothing]" (in Norwegian). http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/07/04/magasinet/innenriks/kriminalomsorg/kirkebrann/drapsdom/7051663/. Retrieved 25 August 2009. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Interview with Varg Vikernes". 12 August 2004. http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/interview01.shtml. Retrieved 29 August 2009. 
4. ^ [1]
5. ^ Searchlight Magazine: Nazi black metal leader arrested in the US
6. ^ Turn It Down
7. ^ [2]
8. ^ Antisemitism Worldwide 2000/1 - Sweden
9. ^ ^{a b c} "A Burzum Story: Part VII - The Nazi Ghost" http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_burzum_story07.shtml July 2005 accessed Jan. 20, 2009
10. ^ Anna Bramwell, Blood and soil : Richard Walther Darre and Hitler's "Green Party", Abbotsbrook, Bourne End, Bucks.: Kensal Press, 1985, ISBN 0946041334, p. 59