The Troth

The Troth, formerly the Ring of Troth, is an American-based international heathen organization.On its main page (retrieved July 26, 2013)
the organization says: "There are several modern names for various forms of our religion: Asatru, Forn Sed, Urglaawe, Theodism, and others. Historically, we were called Heathens, and we still use that name now, too." It is prominent in the inclusionary, as opposed to folkish sector of heathenry. The organization was founded on December 20 ( Mothers' Night), 1987 by former Ásatrú Free Assembly members Edred Thorsson and James Chisholm. Chisholm remains associated with the organization as an Elder Emeritus. The current Steer is Lauren Cro

The Troth is registered as a non-profit corporation in the state of New York with federal 501(c)(3) status as a public charity. It hosts a yearly June meeting called Trothmoot. Trothmoot 2022 was held at Meeman Shelby Forrest State Park near Memphis, TN.

Objectives and organization

The Troth defines itself as a religious organization of Germanic Heathenry open to all the forms of the religion (Asatru, Urglaawe, Forn Sed, Theodism, and others) international in scope, with training clergy, promoting cooperation and community, and providing information and educational publications as objectives.

Publications

The Troth publishes a quarterly journal called ''Idunna'', an annual ''Old Heathen's Almanac'',Barbara Ardinger, ''Pagan Every Day: Finding the Extraordinary in Our Ordinary Lives''. Weiser, 2006, p. 32: "There are numerous groups who follow the paths of the old Norse and Germanic pantheons. The Troth of Berkeley, California, publishes an ''Old Heathen's Almanac'' with much useful information as well." and a handbook called ''Our Troth''.

History

The Troth was founded as "The Ring of Troth" in 1987, at the same time as the Ásatrú Alliance, both emerging from the wreckage of the Ásatrú Free Assembly, which had disintegrated over disputes between the racialist and the non-racialist factions.
The organization suffered a series of setbacks and disasters during the late 1980s to early 1990s.
The leadership of both Thorsson and Chisholm became controversial because of their association with the Satanist Temple of Set. In 1988 to 1989, Rob Meek campaigned against the "Satanist infiltration" of the group. The Ásatrú Alliance in 1989 declared that there could be no association of Ásatrú and Satanism. In 1991, Thorsson and Chisholm sought for a new leader (''Steersman'') of the group, as it had become clear that they were too controversial to fill this position. The office of Steerswoman was eventually accepted by Prudence Priest in 1992. Internal controversy continued to plague the group, however, including accusations that Priest was intending to pass leadership back to Thorsson and attempting to marginalize the increasingly influential Stephan Grundy. As a consequence, Priest was ousted by William Bainbridge in 1995, who took over as interim Steersman.
By the mid-1990s, the Troth, now led by William Bainbridge, had emerged as a stable organization with a wide spectrum of members situated "squarely within the Wiccan/neopagan community". Bainbridge was followed by Diana Paxson (1999), Stefn Thorsman (2002), Mark Donegan (2005), Patricia Lafayllve (2008), Victoria Clare (2010), Steve Abell (2013), Rob Schreiwer (2016), and Lauren Crow (2022).

Approach within Heathenry

The Troth is prominent in the non-racialist, inclusive branch of modern-day heathenry. The organization's statement of purpose and bylaws refer to "non-discriminatory groups and individuals" and specify that "Discrimination ased on criteria such as race, gender, ethnic origin, or sexual orientationshall not be practiced by The Troth, its programs, departments, officers, or any affiliated group, whether in membership decisions or the conduct of any of its activities."

Edred Thorsson intended the Ring of Troth to be based on scholarship and provide priests trained to high academic standards. While few members have achieved graduate degrees as he envisaged, the organization has been a prominent source of scholarly information within heathenry.

Ring of Troth Europe

A United Kingdom affiliate of the Ring of Troth, later renamed Ring of Troth Europe, was founded in 1993 by Freya Aswynn, who has held office in both the Troth and the Rune Gild.

Eldaring

The German Eldaring started in 2000 as a partner society of The Troth, and was officially founded and registered in 2002. As of 2008, it claimed some 200 members, and had an active internet forum with almost 5000 users. It claims political neutrality, and holds that folkish and universalist (non-racialist) heathenry are not necessarily at odds.Anja Gregor, ''Neuheidentum und Geschlechterrollenverständnis—Die Darstellung von Geschlecht in den Texten der Internetpräsenzen neuheidnischer Vereinigungen'', GRIN, 2008,
pp. 12–13

References

External links

*{{official, http://www.thetroth.org/

Religious organizations established in 1987
Ásatrú in the United States
German-American culture
Germanic neopagan organisations
Non-profit organizations based in Texas
Religion in Texas
Modern pagan organizations based in the United States
Modern pagan organizations established in the 1980s