Ivan Liskov: Also, since we only had oral traditions, everyone now can think up their own “sacred texts”. And many neo-pagans do. Most of the ten years I spent with neo-pagans, I was in the organization that professed Ynglism. They have a sacred text that they say dates back to ancient times…
Father George: Slavic Aryan Vedas?
Ivan Liskov: Yes. This is a collective name. There are santees (plates of gold) and Vedas of Perun, the Book of Light (the Scrolls of Light). So Ynglings claim that they do have the sacred texts. Or rather their translation into contemporary Russian. The question arises: “Where can you see the original texts?” Hinevich, the founder of Ynglism, says that the originals written on gold plates are hidden somewhere in Siberia. If you ask to see them, he says, “I will never show them or they will be stolen or taken away.” He is even afraid to show the photograph of them, saying that there are psychics who can determine the location of the gold plates using the photograph. And so on and so forth.
Father George: This is a vivid example of the credulousness of neo-pagans. If somebody told you, “I will now tell you everything about your grand-grandfather. People lied to you about him. You will now learn the truth. I have his diary and I now know everything about him. The diary describes the way you should live your life.” Anybody would have said, “Can I have a look at the diary?” But the only answer you get is “No you can’t have a look at the diary. Just listen to what I say and buy these accessories and devices from me—they are exactly like the ones your grand-grandfather had. Also, buy this book that I wrote about your grand-grandfather. And most importantly, listen to what I say.” Nobody would believe that. However, when somebody says that about our ancestors who lived forty generations ago, neo-pagans take it at face value and childishly believe it.
Ivan Liskov: Yes. You were right to note that even though neo-pagans deny it, they have a very developed guruism. They treat their gurus with great respect. Of course, they call them by different names—magi, sorcerers, warlocks, etc.—they come up with many names. They really trust these leaders. Although they say that “we don’t have figures of authority, everyone expresses how they feel the call of blood in their own way” and so on.
Father George: When you were with Ynglings, what made you think that this wasn’t what you were looking for?
Ivan Liskov: As far as Ynglings were concerned, it was quite simple and I made my final decision. I am very serious with my interests. If I’m interested in anything, I try to get as deep into the subject as I can. When I was an Yngling, I went to Omsk and lived there in the room next to Hinevich, the founder of Ynglism. I was in his room and the first thing that got me there was a great number of books on suggestive psychology. His room is full of bookshelves, and half of the books are on hypnotism, negotiation techniques, neuro- linguistic programming, etc. Judging by how he talks and delivers lectures, you can see that he is well prepared. He makes good use of the pitch of his voice, effective pauses, etc. So I got interested, and started digging deeper and looking for some proof. I didn’t even ask about the gold plates, because there was no chance of me seeing them. I tried to find proof confirming at least some minor things. For example, Pater Dii, as Hinevich calls himself, states that during the times of the Russian Empire his teachings were known to the military. To prove it he referred to a book from the Imperial Military Library in Kiev. I have a scan of this book at home. He uses this book to prove that the Slav’s pantheon included Scandinavian god Odin. If I remember correctly, the quote goes like this: “There is life on Mars and God Odin grants this life”. This is the abridged statement that Hinevich quotes. I had that book in my hands and read it in his room. If you look for the context, i.e. read what is before and after that quote, you see that the book describes life on all planets. So this quote is about one God who grants life. Every word is capitalized, so “Odin” in that context doesn’t refer to God Odin, it is a part of respectful statement that “God is One” (“Odin” means “One” in Russian). Christ is referenced throughout the book, so this text has nothing to do with Hinevich’s conclusions. This is his general approach to everything that includes taking quotes out of context, manipulation of facts, misquoting and so on.
Father George: Willful misinformation, too.