Thor — Tammy Gagne

Most people think of the Norse myths as merely old stories. But they are also the basis for a present-day religion. In a letter to the editor of London's Daily Mail newspaper, reader Claire Jordan points out, ""The worship of the Aesir, the Norse pantheon, isn't a dead mythology, but a still living religion, especially in Iceland."" Known as Odinism, the religion has a definite following in Europe, Australia, and the Americas. People who practice Odinism do not view the Norse gods as fictional characters. Instead, they believe the Norse gods are actual supreme beings with special powers. They pray to these gods as followers of other religions pray to their own gods. And like those other gods, Odinists believe the Norse gods are capable of answering their prayers.