Ok, gunforhire. I've been trying to figure out how to start this thread for several days now. The thing is, I'm not in a theology that enforces orthopraxy, so I'm having a hard time figuring out how to get the ball rolling, so to speak. I guess at this point the best thing for me to start with is asking you what you would like to know.

So, no absolutes in your religion...... intresting.

When I hear the term polytheisim, I think Greek gods and the aztec as well as the Egyptian empire. translate that into beliefs of today

Well, people that are polytheist are typically going to follow a specific pantheon. Mine is Norse. There are Greek/Roman polytheists, Egyptian polytheists, Aztec/Mayan polytheists, etc.

Many if not most of the practices have actually been carried over into modern culture.

Coming up, you guys have Christmas. We have Yule. It starts on Dec 21st with the winter solstice, and lasts until the 31st. A period of gift giving and celebration of the days getting longer again. The evergreen tree is seen as promise that life would start again. There is also much tradition in lighting things, fires, candles, etc, in the darkest time of the year.

There are actually several traditions that one can see as descended from old norse traditions. Bunnies and eggs at easter. The days of the week.

I find that for the most part, I don't have to make big concessions in order to practice what I believe in the modern world. I can almost celebrate at the same times that everyone else is, and do the same things that everyone else does, but with a different focus.

Is that what you wanted to know?

As far as "absolutes", not really. You are expected to strive for specific goals and or virtues, but there really is no pinnacle, and you are not expected to be 100% perfect. It's like working out. A person may set goals when they are starting, but after a while, it gets old. One can't just say "I'm going to bench press 300 lbs" because what happens after they reach that goal? Do they stop? Do they set another goal? Personally, I just say that I am working to get stronger. There is no set end persay, just like there is no punishment for not reaching a specific level, just a personal aspect that you are trying to improve upon. The important part is that one keeps trying.

It would be the same thing with self reliance, for example. It is an aspect of my belief that a person should be able to handle most things on their own. That's a big part of the reason as to why I carry a knife, have some basic tools, and carry a gun. There could be a situation that arises that I don't have the tools, or the understanding to handle on my own. That is room for growth. There is no punishment by the gods for not being able to handle that situation by yourself, or for asking for help from someone else. Even if it gets you killed. The important part is you were striving toward that virtue.

have you ever been in a shield wall?

No.

I don't really have a desire to either.

i hear they are awesome, if you survive

I'm just not a warrior