This article by the Norrœna Society thoroughly explains how the Asatru Folk Assembly is a cult of personality that tries to destroy the reputation of any other Heathen organization that may threaten its hegemony.
The Asatru Folk Assembly is led by spiritual conmen like Matt Flavel and Trent East, who rely on a fabricated claim that AFA Founder Stephen McNallen was “ordained by Óðinn himself,” because it makes their authority unquestionable.
Trent East went so far as to claim in 2023 that, “There is no spiritual authority in Asatru besides the Asatru Folk Assembly.”
Statements like these are made with the sole purpose of discrediting all other Heathen organizations which could interfere with the AFA’s ability to collect dues from a captive membership.
Another telling excerpt from the AFA’s Trúlögmál states, “The theocratic autocracy of the Allsherjargoði is fundamental to the Asatru Folk Assembly.”
At the organizational level, this creates the perfect environment for corruption. Rather than imitating the Germanic system of petty kingdoms, it more closely resembles the Abrahamic feudalism which destroyed the Old Customs. Compare this to the Raven Laws of Raven Folk United, which say, “Let no man be beyond reproach or accountability for his deeds.”
Nevertheless, Matt Flavel enjoys a pope-like infallibility because of these policies of the AFA. What Matt says IS Asatru, full stop. It must be, because he was ordained by Stephen McNallen, who was allegedly ordained by Óðinn. This is really just a roundabout way of saying that Matt believes he has the right to speak on behalf of Óðinn.
What this all really exposes is a severe lack of reverence for tradition. If the AFA is the sole spiritual authority in Heathenry, this outranks the very ancestors and their customs which the Æsir fostered in ancient days. This kind of self-importance is dangerously similar to King Geirröðr’s arrogance in Grímnismál, who falls on his own sword after chaining Óðinn between two fires.
The members of the Asatru Folk Assembly are good people. They deserve better examples of leadership which won’t lead them astray with lies in exchange for their loyalty.
⚡ ravenfolkunited.org
