Germanic mythology

This template is really cool. However the problem is that gods like Thor and Freya are not only Norse but Germanic mythology as well. Somehow a better solution needs to be found to reflect that as well, because creating two separate templates would be a bit tedious and could clutter articles... any solutions- Gryffindor 23:50, 22 November 2005 (UTC)

Generally, "Germanic" refers to all Teutonic peoples, with "Continental German" referring to those specifically on the European continent. Thus, "Germanic" would include the Germans, Frisians, Anglo-Saxons, Norse, Franks, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Danes, Lombards, and so forth... So I think that simply renaming the template to "Germanic Heathenry would be the solution. --denhelm (talk) 05:14, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Later influence

Should "Later influence" link to Norse mythological influences on later literature or to Norse mythology in popular culture- Sigo 22:28, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Norse Mythology > Germanic Heathenry

I'm the one who made the change, and I did it primarily for better technical accuracy. The current title would imply that the religion was not only:

• Unique to the ancient Norse, but also;
• Is no longer practiced (per use of the term "mythology").

And in all truthfulness, neither of these are true. "Germanic" is an umbrella term, used to cover all non-Celtic/Gaelic, non-Slavic, non-Greco/Roman peoples of ancient Europe. These people include the Anglo-Saxons/English, the Norse (Scandinavians), the continental Germans (Saxons, Alemanni, Ostrogoths, Visigoths), the Vandals of northern Africa, the Dutch, Frisians, and so forth.

During ancient times, this faith applied to all of these peoples, over various periods of time.

Next, the term "mythology" is inaccurate today, due to the reconstructionist revival movements who are intent on reviving the ancient faith... which includes the biggest label name currently in use by practicing members, "Ásatrú." And as a final point for using "Heathenry," this was a genuine ancient term, as the Old English word for a practicing member was h-ðen. I'm a Heathen, and I speak Old English. I know what I'm talking about.

I'll leave the title as it is for now, in order to give people enough time to see my message about it on this discussion page. The faith is not unique to the Norse only (most people only interpret it that way, due to the fact that most written sources come from the Norse and Icelanders), but it being labeled as (unpracticed) "mythology" is also inaccurate. This is an encyclopedia... let's keep things accurate.

--denhelm (talk) 03:55, 12 February 2008 (UTC)