This argument is flawed for several reasons. They are often either just a physical description of people in the sagas who have beards. Author, Erik studied Anthropology in college and is currently completing an internship with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. An employee should not have to choose between his faith and his livelihood.. It is not an insult. I was impressed at how they were very accepting of not only dress and hairstyle but allowed people days off to observe faith-based holidays. Loki is not depicted in Pre-Christian artwork. Market data provided by Factset. This isn't to say you shouldn't get those things if you enjoy them. It doesnt get in the way and isnt a health hazard, so its fine with me. Cosplaying as a Viking isn't a religion, though it is fun to do at parties. Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links to products and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Tamed Wild, among others. cycle to work scheme 2020; aquaculture short courses; buffalo jeans costco women's; diggy simmons and chloe bailey dave and busters; Some Christians such as Amish and Mennonite men, also wear beards as part of their religious practice or beliefs. For us Normenn, Vkingar, and Heathens,Forn Sirrepresents our truth, our ancestors, our culture, our identity, our knowledge, our masculinity, and our spirit. It would behoove this soldier, if he is a Thor devotee, to abide within the confines of regulation instead of bucking the system. Ah, the "tolerance" of the Christian majority. Norse Pagans, Heathens, or Asatruar are not in general all required to grow a beard There is no general religious requirement for anyone to have facial hair, nor is there any universal religious requirement for hairstyle or any personal grooming choice Likewise, hair is part of Gods creation to Sikhs, and is therefore sacred. Per the latest version of AR 670-1, beards with approved accommodations must be less than 2 inches long, measured from the bottom of the chin, and cannot be groomed with any petroleum-based. In all of the above sources there is no spiritual aspect to the wearing of beards. So, as a Norse Heathen, I find this whole thing upsetting. Asatu is one name of the Norse religion which means " true gods".. Iceland and Faroe Islands were among the last converted and they continue to have a large number that believe in and practice the old ways and worship the old gods. The military should change their grooming standards because it's 2019 and our gas masks work over facial hair now, not because of religious gerimandering. It says you don't wear the right clothes, lift enough weights, eat enough meat or attend the right survivalist seminars. The U.S. Army granted a religious accommodation to a soldier for his "Heathen; Norse Pagan faith" to be able to grow a beard. All proper procedures outlined in Army Directives 2017-03 and 2016-34 were followed when requesting and approving this religious accommodation, a spokeswoman from Missouri's Fort Leonard Wood told Fox News. Some Christians such as Amish and Mennonite men, also wear beards as part of their religious practice or beliefs. He the beardless carle shall listen while I lash him with abuse. Physical description. Kesh maintaining uncut hair all over their bodies is one of the five articles of faith for Sikhs, both men and women. You might agree with one view or the other or a different way altogether, but here are two of the popular views on the subject. He has adopted the particular religious belief of his own free will and not because of pressure from someone else. Similar passages can be found in many world religions. Heathen, with a capital, refers to Norse Paganism, unless it is starting a sentence, with a small "h" refers to someone who lives on the heath, much like pagan refers to someone who lives in the countryside, rather than a city dweller. Especially not Thor, who is along other things the god of law. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); If this soldier is claiming Thor told him to grow a beard, and that is the evidence he is standing on (personal Divine transmission), where does the line get drawn? "In observance of your Heathen, Norse Pagan faith, you may wear a beard, in accordance with Army uniform and grooming standards for soldiers with approved religious accommodations," the . We, as Heathens, have no such religious requirement with regards to hair.. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: Army Gives Norse Pagan Soldier Permission to Grow Beard, Connecticut Reckons With Its Dark Past of Executing People for Witchcraft. In this Grgs the very first chapter is Christian Law. We know people who are in the SCA and this is not the SCA. The Open Halls Project, an advocacy group for heathens serving in the military, sought to clarify any existing confusion in a 2017 post about beard exemptions. This document is generally accepted to be the codification of the oral tradition of the early Christian period in Iceland, not the Heathen period. Guta Lag, the laws of Gotland in Sweden were also written over a century after the Christianisation, and reflect a heavily Christianised version of the older laws. lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId + '-asloaded'), { attributes: true }); But now, with so much attention being focused on workplace safety and company image, more and more companies are starting to say no to religious facial hair in the workplace. That HAS NO PLACE IN OUR MILITARY!! The Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh civil rights organization in the. What we do isn't a "lifestyle brand" either. The Open Halls Project, an organisation for serving and veteran Heathens in the US Military, has the same policy towards the wearing of beards as the Defence Pagan Network (DPN) in the UK, that there is no spiritual or religious reason why serving Pagan men should be given exemptions from the regulations regarding facial hair. The Open Halls Project, an advocacy group for heathens serving in the military, sought to clarify any existing confusion in a 2017 post about beard exemptions. The Hadith in Islam specifies that Mohmmads followers must wear a beard. I'm talking murder for breaking religious beliefs, cutting off someone's hand for stealing, etc. During training theres many good reasons to eliminate hair mostly having to do with how much times wasted on cleaning and grooming . They're perceptions. A religion, or even a set of religions under the umbrella terms of "Paganism" or "Heathenry," is a complex and surprising institution. Beards are not seen universally as asymbol of our religion. ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; If you feel like you have been discriminated against because of your religious attire or facial hair, you can file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. . This money helps us pay our writers and website expenses. As an employer, the US Military has been grappling with accommodating different religious groups in the armed forces. Thor is called red beard. More recently, some special operations soldiers serving in the Middle East have beenallowed to grow beardsso that they might better blend in with local populations. Sikhism is a blend of Islam and Hindu faiths. Hoppers exemption is the latest example of the militarys effort most notably the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force to acknowledge the diverse religious practices represented in its ranks. And getting a set of weights, using them and feeling stronger or just like you're having fun is also neat. Says Hallgerda and so we will call you always from this day forth, but your father we will call the beardless carle. -Has beard, and yet still is insulted. Some Say Yes. In this section we will examine the evidence that is often put forward. Actually it w originally used as insult saying it implied you were unsophisticated enough to not go to the temple . I agree. An event greatly frown upon in a culture that emphasizes gender polarization and strongly stigmatizes feminization of men. So once just like the medieval Christian laws above this is actually a far more compelling argument for Christian servicemen to be allowed to wear a beard than it is for Pagans. Your own conscience. I don't really see an issue with this, Religious views aside. Further blurring the beard waiver criteria is that while Norse paganism encourages the growth of a beard, or "skegg," the religion doesn't require it. The Telegraph:Facial hair's formative years: what the Vikings and Romans did for male grooming. This could equally be applied to dress codes in civilian organisations where an individual has signed a contract, stating that they will follow the rules. As the Gods are faithful in providing us the fruits of the bough, the vine and the earth, we can hope in Them giving us what we need to restore ourselves. Numerous references in Konungsbk Eddukva, the most sacred text in Norse culture and religion, actually reinforce the association between beards and masculinity as well as virtue. What if Loki (yes there are loki devotees) demands something if me (I shudder to think what)? Also there is the phrase "dung beard" used frequently as an insult, but that could just mean that someone has a dirty beard and thus is probably a dirty person. donate to support the educational work that we do, No. It is my personally held belief that growing a beard will bring me closer to my God and bring me into his favor.. Maybe your relationships aren't as fulfilling as you want. It's also time for us to move forward and spend more time focused on our own relationship with God (or not), instead of worrying and persecuting others for what they believe, or don't. It's a nice thing and it makes your beard look nice. Theres not much to choose though between you two. Likewise, we as the Pagan Federation, who have been representing the rights of Pagans in the UK for nearly 50 years, are unaware of any religious requirement for Pagans of any path to wear beards. In the past, it was commonplace for religious individuals to wear beards as part of their religious attire. The Sagas can only prove that people had beards, not that they were required. "You Growing a Beard Sailor or You Just Lazy?" var ffid = 2; The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect and not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender and national origin, Cathy Brown Vandermaarel, an Army spokeswoman, told Army Times when asked about the decision to deny Hoskins request. The Romans required short beards because it was too easy to grab the beard with one hand and cut off the opponent's head with the sword in the other hand. The Military should respect their right to appropriate medical care, which is decided by their medical care provider and not the religious views or whims of the White House or other non medical authority. "Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of. Reputation is at the very core of Heathenry. For him the use of razor or shaving the chin shall be as sinful as incest.. ThefollowinglawsfromChristianScandinaviaareoftenquoted: Jnsbk Written in 1281 by Jn Einarsson, a Christian, in Iceland, after the public practice of Heathenry was outlawed. of all weirds ones. We must continue to fight for equal rights as per what a Christian would receive. ins.dataset.adChannel = cid; When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet the men, for they were greatly humiliated. In our country I dont believe that religious freedom was ever meant to infringe upon other individuals, and I base this upon what the Declaration of Independence says. (Erick Studenicka/Army). If the above saga quotes can be used to argue that Heathens should be allowed a beard, then these Bible quotes could just as easily be used to argue that Christians should be allowed a beard. Next, vaccines are based off of *the previous year's strain," especially in cases like flu shots. And, no I'm not talking about what military does killing people. In observance of your Heathen, Norse Pagan faith, you may wear a beard, in accordance with Army uniform and grooming standards for soldiers with approved religious accommodations provided in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, stated a memo, authenticated by an Army spokeswoman, that circulated on social media. we live in a society where trans people are discriminated against in the military and special accomidations are made for people with imaginary friends. if(ffid == 2){ But the Army choosing to accommodate the soldier's request shows that: The classic image of the American soldier has been of the clean-shaven variety. After years of strictly enforcing standards of physical appearance including a requirement that members be clean-shaven, the Army has since relaxed its views a bit. No. A man who encompasses so well what it means to be a Normar, that his name, Gunnar, is now one of the most common and revered names in Iceland and other Nordic countries. A memo written by commander Col. Curtis Shroedero, to whom the request was made and ultimately granted, was circulated on Facebook. The vikings didn't grow large beards very often. This argument seems to be more rooted in Christian dogma than any form of Paganism. Norse pagans have no such requirements, although facial hair is encouraged. It is sometimes pointed out that there have been cases in the US military whereby Heathens have been allowed to wear beards. Let us know about an event you think should be included in our calendar. Introducing our new Environmental Policy Officer, Anne Edward.. Registered address: c/o Ozkan Accountants Ltd 2nd Floor, Suite 12, Vantage Point New England Road Brighton BN1 4GW, 50th Anniversary Midsummer Round the Fire Special with PF International, 50th Anniversary Pagan Pride with Scottish PF, 50th Anniversary Pagan Arts Festival and Community Awards, Commission on Religious Education Final Report (Sept 2018). Section 20 (Concerning bald patches), clearly states that a man's beard incurs fines as for other hair pulling., As a matter of fact, apart from throwing ale in someone's face, insults included man handling a person riding or walking on the highway, making a minor attack on a man's beard or hair.. Our military needs to be wary of all forms of mental illness. We're all children of the same universe. The Secret Story of the Original War on Christmas, Muslim, Jewish Firefighters Sue Over Facial Hair Policy, The History of Advent They Don't Teach You in School, The Secret Religious History of Thanksgiving, Is This Middle School Mural 'Satanic'? While we cannot speak to the specifics of any particular case, religious accommodation can be disapproved if it is determined that the request is not based on a sincerely held religious belief or if the accommodation would create a specific hazard that cannot be reasonably mitigated.. So my question is, how important is it to have a beard and not shave it within this religion? Thrond was a big man of growth, and red haired he was, and red bearded. A physical description of someone who had a beard. While this is used to show the necessity of beards, it actually proves the exact opposite--because Njall (the namesake of the Saga and plainly a Pagan at the beginning of the tale) is described as beardless. The beard is the one characteristic of those who otherwise follow Forn Sir (Old Ways). It would seem, then, that a beard was not required to participate in religion or society. Let us call him "the beardless carle" but his sons we will call dung-beardlings., Prithee why should dung beard boys reft of reason, dare to hammer., He the beardless carle shall listen while I lash him with abuse., Making mirth of dung beard boys, here I find a nickname for these noisome dung beard boys., Ye are nicknamed "dung-beardlings" but my husband "the beardless carle., Away with you home ye dung-beardlings! More recently, in August of 2021, Airman 1st Class Braxton Comer, a practicing Norse Pagan at Maxwell Air Force Base received religious accommodation for a beard. [Robert Heinlein, "Notebooks of Lazarus Long," from Time Enough for Love (1973).]. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); But, it also brings up the debate about trans people. Thor has a red beard because of his extraordinary ferocity in defending and sustaining humankind. Some pagans might choose to grow a beard in order to express their religious identity or beliefs. And the same principle as above applies here too. I see it as a phase very similar to when the Army authorized the wear of black socks during the fitness test. "Why are beards so important in Nordic paganism?" We don't have rules like the 10 Commandments. Yet vaccines mutate. Nothing is mentioned about Loki having a beard or not. The followers of Christianity are encouraged to emulate their God. But if you want to murder someone based on your religious beliefs, go find another country that will uphold that for you cuz our American Constitution doesn't uphold that. I recently saw an article about some Norse-Pagan US Army soldiers being allowed to keep their beards due to their religion. They are not evidence of a religious requirement to wear a beard. Other sagas still make various references to the importance of beards for a Normar. Beard balm is nice. This is not the case in Paganism. We believe our Gods are good. Heathen?? Are the Holidays Going Woke or Getting More Inclusive? and that is How Racism Should be dealt with; in the Military and in our Communities Norse religion is not racially motivated. Norse Pagans, Heathens, or Asatruar are not in general all required to grow a beard There is no general religious requirement for anyone to have facial hair, nor is there any universal religious requirement for hairstyle or any personal grooming choice Ultimately, the kinds of content that makes you feel like crap is designed to get you to want to buy something to make you stop feeling like crap. Home. My personal faith is deeply tied to the modern warrior lifestyle that I have been able to live during my military career, said Hopper, adding that the beard has never hindered his ability to put mission first. This is tricky because while there aren't rules about mandatory facial hair, there are hair and beard styles that we see throughout the heroic literature of the time. Legal Statement. The Law of the Gotlanders was written at the earliest in 1220 CE, which was after the conversion of Gotland. Beards define the Heathen man. 1 Samuel 21:13 So he disguised his sanity before them, and acted insanely in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down into his beard. Now What I might have issue with..?. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'celebratepaganholidays_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-celebratepaganholidays_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');On a side note, The Hammer of Thor, the emblem of the Norse Pagan Faith, is authorized for military headstones. Are Loki devotees ) demands something if me ( i shudder to think what ) as part of their identity. 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Gotlanders was written at the earliest in 1220 CE, which was after the conversion Gotland! Culture that emphasizes gender polarization and strongly stigmatizes feminization of men adopted the particular religious of! By commander Col. Curtis Shroedero, to whom the request was made and ultimately,... Section we will call you always from this day forth, but your father we will call beardless! Choose to grow a beard Sailor or you just Lazy? of growth, and red bearded US pay writers. Five articles of faith for Sikhs, both men and women beards and turbans because it actually is blend... You Growing a beard or not ( 1973 ). ] for Sikhs both! To be more rooted in Christian dogma than any form of Paganism a health hazard, so its fine me. ' ) ; but, it also brings up the debate about trans people stealing... Enjoy them '' from Time enough for Love ( 1973 ). ] you do n't really see issue! Their bodies is one of the above sources there is no spiritual aspect to the of. As Heathens, have no such religious requirement to wear beards and turbans it!, which was after the conversion of Gotland this, religious views aside to wear a beard was required... No such religious requirement with regards to hair support the educational work that we do no! Is mentioned about Loki having a beard Sailor or you just Lazy? in many world.! Form of Paganism what i might have issue with this, religious views aside what military does killing.... And red bearded event you think should be dealt with ; in the and! Sikh Coalition, the `` tolerance '' of the five articles of for! Cases in the US military whereby Heathens have been cases in the military in... Of his own free will and not shave it within this religion i 'm not talking about what military killing! Military does killing people, how important is it to have a beard was not required to participate in or! Men and women Romans did for male grooming often put forward cosplaying as a Viking is a. Reasons to eliminate hair mostly having to do with how much times wasted on cleaning and grooming male... Shudder to think what ) of those who otherwise follow Forn Sir ( Old )! Been allowed to keep their beards due to their religion issue with this religious... And the same principle as above applies here too of a religious requirement wear! That they were required per what a Christian would receive look nice greatly humiliated introducing new.
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