If I was considering becoming a Pagan and worshiping the old Gods from my Germanic, Anglo Saxon and Teutonic heritage where would I start?
If I was interested in Odin and worshiping or following him where could I get information about praying and or rituals that I might preform?
Honestly the best place to start would be finding local Heathens and starting up a discussion with them. There are also several groups on Facebook - such as the
American Asatru Association and
Hugin's Heathen Hof - that serve as information hubs and local networking.
What are the arguments in favor of Germanic or Norse paganism over say Christianity?
Many, I suppose. I've pulled a few topics from comparisons to aid in this:
God or the Ultimate Reality, and creation
Heathenry recognizes many Gods within, and many gods without, as embodiments and creators of various aspects of this physical existence. Some Gods - such as Thor, Freyr and Freyja - have a larger role in our lives. Others - such as Odin, Loki, or Tyr - have very specific purposes. Still others - such as Ran, Idunn, and Skadi - have minor roles in day-to-day life, but may still be revered in their own turn.
Heathenry does recognize other gods - such as those from the Celtic, Greek, and even Abrahamic pantheons - but obviously doesn't revere them.
The human condition
Heathenry believes that this is our world (all of the universe, and subjective to all life in the universe) and while Thor defends it from outside forces, it is ours to manage and maintain. Realistically, this only affects Earth in practice, but should Heathenry survive to planetary colonization, the notion would ideally follow along with the ages.
Salvation and eternal destiny
Heathenry has no notion of salvation. There is no "devil" figure that seeks to corrupt us, nor must one "accept the Allfather" to be saved. We are our deeds, and a reflection of our honor. Fate is a big thing in Heathenry, and very complex, but we don't believe in all-encompassing predestination. Simply put, we have a day that we are fated to die, but up until that day we are free to make our own choices.
The nature of evil
Evil is highly subjective in Heathenry, though we generally regard it as a human effect. Giants don't possess people (as demons) and make them do naughty things. Evil comes from us, and it is for us to combat it with justice and wisdom. Heathenry does not tolerate harm (evil,) and the Hávamál advises us to seek out harm that we know of as though it affects us directly - often it does - and to give that harm no peace.
How long was that book you recommended to me just out of curiosity?
297 pages in total, including the Foreword and Glossary. 255 pages of story content.
Is this a reconstructionist faith or adapting the gods to something newer?
A bit of both. Heathenry reconstructs and revives as much of traditional ceremonies and roles as we can, but recognizes that we live in the modern age. We use the past as a foundation and a teacher, but apply our worship of the Old Gods to a modern take on Heathen faith. It's sort of an Old-Meets-New feel, if that makes sense.
