Asatru and Morality

When a culture tries to modify the self-destructive behavior of its people through a codified morality, then that culture is already beyond saving. The code of chivalry created by the Chatholic Church was meant to subdue the excesses of the landed class in Europe. It is a good example of a failure of a moral code being implemented on a decadent society. Contrary to the numerous romance novels, and the subsequent movies, the code of Chivalry was broken as often as it was kept. The proto-knights eagerly accepted, as a drowning man accepts any help, the code of Chivalry because these men had nothing to define themselves with. There were, certainly, other reasons that Chivalry became the dominant social philosophy in that time period. However, that is for someone else to elaborate on. Chivalry is not a bad code to live by for someone enjoying power in the Middle Ages and believing in the Christian faith. It does contain some very noble ideas. The problem with it is that it was based on Christian theology and that has some serious flaws. Christianity promoted the idea that man is corrupt because of the "original sin" and destroyed the natural honor of the heathen warrior. True, the conversion was far from complete, and remnants of the Germanic people's "heroic code"did survive, but this was in spite of Christianity and not because of it. There was, of course, lip-service to the ideals of Chivalry, but the actions of the men responsible for upholding it were far from glowing examples virtues. In history we do find those who shine as individuals, but these are aberrations and not the norm. The question which must be answered by Christianity is this: How can someone who is in-inherently corrupt have nobility?
The core elements of a truly moral person is their sense of self-value, and the recognition of the value of others and life itself. All morality flows from someone's sense of self-value. Morality is not a public display, nor is it for, or dependent upon, the "common good". The reason for moral behavior is to add value to the life of the one practicing it. It is true that a community of moral people will flourish, but that is a side effect and not the primary objective. Again, morality is self-expression. When someone has a high self-value, they will express themselves in a way which is constructive and adds value to their lives. Conversely, when one has a low self-value then they will demonstrate self-destructive behavior.
The first job of any religion is to promote acceptable moral behavior. Christianity does this by the carrot and stick method. Heaven is the carrot, and Hell the stick. For the Christian, obedience to Biblical teachings (and the Church) is the only way for a person to come to know God. God is somewhere, out there, apart and separate from them and they can only hope that someday, through blind servitude, they will be reunited with their divinity. This is the inherent wrongness in the Judeo-Christian religion. Asatru is a religion based on the fact that our souls are an aspect of divinity manifested by the universe within us. We see ourselves not separated, but apart of the divinity of our pantheon of gods and goddesses. In other words, we have a value which is independent of all other factors. If the religion of Asatru is going to produce moral people it must first establish that people are not separated from our deities, and that we all have value as humans. This is the first task of a our religious leaders. We must stress to those who are here, and those who are to come, that we are worthy of our ancestral gods and the blessings they will bestow upon those who live an honorable life. This "self-value" concept is certainly more psychologically healthy than the "original sin" concept of the Christian faith.
The idea of "original sin" may not be good spiritualism, but it is an effective method in controlling people. It convinces people that they are sick and then sells them the cure. What is the price? Total obedience to the Church, and ten percent of the money you make (you get your reward after you die).
As morality flows from self-value, so right actions flow from morality. The Nine Noble Virtues are the way we, as divine creations, express the nobility of our souls. They are the means by which we can know prosperity, social harmony, and most importantly, allow us to maintain our sense of self-worth. For the Asa-man or Asa-woman morality and honor are synonymous. For us Honor is the fundamental expression of self-esteem. Indeed, as Ayn Rand states, it is self-esteem in action.

II
The basis of morality