My viewpoint is that of a Swedish Asatru, and some disagree with what I have to say, because there are differences between Scandinavian Asatruar and North American ones on more than one item.
For example, I've never heard of "kindreds" in the same way as here, nor "tru" or "folk", and I'm quite happy that way!
I think terms such as these are silly, and I'll explain why.
The terms I used as an example are all centered around community, but it seems to me that many North American Asatruar have misunderstood what it means, so here we go.
One of the problems we're having is the viewpoint of "us" and "them", in this case meaning people who are, and who are not, Asatru. This is something that needs to change, we all came from the same two humans, Ask and Embla, and it doesn't matter what religion someone has, remember that as Asatru we are to base our opinion of people from what they say and do, not from who they pray to or worship.
This leads me straight into "kindreds".
Family is more important that non-family, this means your actual family, not your friend who you think of as a brother, but your blood-family, your parents and your siblings, and unless a person in your family does something so bad that you're shunning them, you should put them before non-family, even your friends.
Kindreds are basically just groups of people who have the same beliefs as yourself, and who have decided to meet now and then, most of the time there seems to be little religion going on and more beer drinking.
Stop feeling the need to make everything "special". You're a group of friends! There's no need for titles among friends, and all it does to the outside world is further the thoughts of "us" and "them".
This all goes for "folk" too, again, we should judge people based on what they say and do, not according to what they believe, just because someone says "Hail Thor the mighty thunderer!" doesn't mean they're actually following the teachings of our Lore. And just because someone prays to Jesus doesn't mean they don't have the same values as yourself, but you'll never find out unless you can see past the whole religion thing and start looking at people for what they say and do.
There are very few titles in Asatru, the only ones I care for as Gothi and Gythia, who basically work as Asatru priests and spiritual guides, though from what I understand they seem to be "group leaders" here in North America more than anything else.
Don't get me wrong, meeting other people of the same religion as you is a wonderful thing, but there's no need to put a stamp on it to try and make it more special.
"We shall hereby be known as the EINHERJAR-WOLFEN-VALKNUT-BROTHERHOOD!" is quite honestly silly, it sounds like something kids came up with for their "secret clubhouse".
"Living tru" is a term I dislike less than the others, as it merely means living as one is supposed to.
Asatru is not a religion of mindless violence, but we are far from unwilling to use violence if there is a need.
We will fiercly protect our own but also strangers who are in need, as Asatru you can never stand idle if you see wrongdoings, that would be the cowards thing to do.
But it also means to help the guy with the flat tire, or hold the door for the old lady, just as much as it means stopping a robbery helping someone who is being bullied or otherwise attacked.
Back to terms and language, I would also like to take a second to smack everyone who tries to sound Icelandic when they're pronouncing words or reading things.
Asatru is not an Icelandic religion, and it's not a viking religion.
Asatru was the main religion of all of Scandinavia and Iceland for thousands of years, far longer than the vikings were around, and there are usually many words and different pronounciations of the same thing.
Sometimes it's better to use standard English when you're talking rather than trying to pronounce something in a language you don't speak.
I hope this gave you something to think about, and don't feel shy about sending me a message with any input you have on my writings, I'm not a professional writer.
