Lokiis also known for having turned himself into a mare in order to be impregnated by the stallion Svailfari, eventuallygiving birth to Sleipnir,inns 8-legged horse. This is not a matter of religious rights, rather a matter of attempting to get the authority you swore the Oath to, to change the conditions of the Oath. Further blurring the beard waiver criteria is that while Norse paganism encourages the growth of a beard, or skegg, the religion doesnt require it. Ironically, Whitsel had worked at his job as a hospital security guard for 12 years when a new employee rule went into effect stating no facial hair. Your neighbors of numerous cultures, your countless masses who came here for a real shot at life, all Americans like you. But those rules have evolved with warfare. Being known as an oath breaker is possibly the greatest insult to someone who holds Heathen values. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. "Standing out" is not a historical tradition in any military, unless you are a general in a parade. The difference in Islam and Sikhism is that there is a specific Religious rather than social requirement. 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. As such, we can only honor them, and be one with them, if we share similar characteristics, in virtues and behvaior, but also in appearance and traditions, including by sporting a beard. There are many pagan religions that consider it important for one to have facial hair in order to express the person's religious identity. Your own conscience. Heathenry Essential Study Chat First Saturday 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. Health and Safety. The army's recent decision to lighten up on religious beards, turbans and hijabs is suiting one unknown Norse pagan soldier just fine. LOLyes, I have too, and this is why grooming standards for facial hair were invented! Many religious groups require men to grow a beard, including Muslims and Orthodox Jews. The word myth has been used out of context for so long that it's definition seems to mean untrue, comic NOT SO. Employers cannot question an employee's religious beliefs, but they can ask for reasonable documentation to support the religious accommodation request. They are our soul. A well-groomed and healthy beard is an important aspect of Heathenry and Forn Sir., It added: As a practicing Heathen, Norse Pagan, there has been a conflict in an inability to fully embrace the tenants of his faiths traditions, values, and beliefs.". While the Law gives us a window into daily life in Gotland, it doesn't help us understand anything about the value of a beard in pre-Christian Norse culture. Is there any evidence this Norse soldier doesn't acknowledge the god of the bible? Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. A solitary Wiccan, Erik writes about Wicca, Norse religion, and making altars. Sgt. They're perceptions. 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. The words "religious accommodations "usually give a picture of a Abrahamic follower with a beard or a Sheik warrior with a beard and turban. 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. For context here are a collection of similar quotes from the Bible. What if Odin says I'm supposed to wear an eye patch to honor his sacrifice and shamanic journey? For some pagans, it is seen as a way of honoring the gods and goddesses. Let's take a look at some of the arguments for both sides! By Elana Glowatz On 4/26/18 at 5:12 PM EDT. This sort of thing creates a false image of our religion and sets a poor precedent. Moreover, it is our view that focusing on this issue not only detracts from far more important issues, but also makes Pagans appear foolish and uneducated in our own religious beliefs in the eyes of wider society. Service before self! They can all find another job. 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. Honestly, I find myself more in favor of hair and beards than spending so much wasted time primping. "You Growing a Beard Sailor or You Just Lazy?" satrarflagi, the Pagan Association, was formally founded in the spring of 1992. 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. I see it as a phase very similar to when the Army authorized the wear of black socks during the fitness test. Any resemblance to news may be purely coincidental. Copyright 1977 - 2023 Universal Life Church Ministries. I don't worry about appearance details for any reason. There's not much to choose though between you two. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; No. Having website issues? statehood and recognition; 3m respirator cartridges; witch vs sorceress vs enchantress; plymouth wrestling club. Cash and in small bills. "Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of their faith that they do so. So be it But Mask Tech is Way Beyond what it was During WW 1 for that Matter due to Geneva Convention Etc There should be no need for gas masks.. An observant Norse Pagan, Hopper has been allowed to wear a great, big, bushy beard under a religious accommodation to Army Regulation 670-1 Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms - which is not . var ins = document.createElement('ins'); 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. Throughout this extensive text, in fact the longest and most developed Icelandic saga, countless references are made to not only associate beards with masculinity and virtue, but also to greatly insult and disparage any man who does not sport a beard: Chapter 35There's not much to choose though between you two. You can still have a beard if it covers a facial scar. It is admirable this soldier is showing his respect for Thor! If the pagan wants to stand out, more power to him. In short, it is honoring the pillars of heathenism, our ancestors and ancient gods and way of life.. Njall was beardless, in fact, in the story. var ffid = 2; This includes allowing employees to wear religious clothing or facial hair in the workplace. She asks, is it the beardless carle?, Why doesn't he make them cart dung over his beard that he may be like other men? The Law of the Gotlanders was written at the earliest in 1220 CE, which was after the conversion of Gotland. Sgt. What do you think? Why not? Because the 2017 directive is technically applicable to all religions, final judgement is often left to individual leadership to discern authentic exemption request from insincere. "Heathen" simply means a person who does not conform to christian norms in some way. The first blt (the rituals of satr are called blt) was held on Jnsmessa, Midsummer Night. There is no excuse for obtuseness anymore with such an abundance of knowledge available these days. This is often cited in restaurants or other companies with food preparation. A soldier serving in Afghanistan with the Nevada Army Guard has been granted a religious accommodation to grow a beard in accordance with a Norse pagan faith that traces its origins to Scandinavia. The things we say about how the Gods "look" from mythology is more saying something about their character than about any kind of actual physical appearance. Beards are in fact the true expression of spirituality, masculinity, and what it means to be Heathen. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Reputation is at the very core of Heathenry. Hmmmm, after watching history channels Vikings and seeing Ragnar get utterly destroyed in straight up battles with the French, I'm shaving my beard and wearing my beret backwards. Thou hast hangnails on every finger and Njall is beardless.. Many of Our Community are Hunters, Loggers and Fisherman; and will Do Whatever it takes to Protect our Home Let us know about an event you think should be included in our calendar. The Telegraph:Facial hair's formative years: what the Vikings and Romans did for male grooming. However, some laws are unconstitutional and have remained on challenged. Some reference the law of the Gotlanders as proof positive of the sacral nature of beards. It doesnt get in the way and isnt a health hazard, so its fine with me. Beards are seen as sacred and as a defining feature of the sirin ancient texts such as Konungsbk Eddukva. Author, Erik studied Anthropology in college and is currently completing an internship with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. In Whitsels case his attorney Ashlie Case Sletvold, stated, America was founded on the principle of religious freedom. Perhaps that God may or may not exist, but represents your morals, your constructed way of life stemming from a sense of right and wrong. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This points yet again to the prevalence of beards in Norse culture. 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. get real! Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of their faith that they do so. I'm a Pagan hippy,and go with the gods and goddesses of Greece, Rome, and Egypt, but if I joined the army, to save my beard, I wouldn't have a problem switching to the Norse pantheon during my enlistment. Market data provided by Factset. If "They can all find another job. With the military, my perception has always been that they want soldiers to be part of a team and to all look similar. We, as Heathens, have no such religious requirement with regards to hair.. Ah, the "tolerance" of the Christian majority. This is real, modern and vibrant religion with people who are genuinely passionate about our faith. Army Soldier Allowed to Grow Beard for Norse Religion, a 'Heathen' Tradition. 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. You might gravitate towards one artistic rendering of a God or another, but we don't mistake the rendering for the reality. It's a nice thing and it makes your beard look nice. Male grooming beliefs, but we do n't worry about appearance details for any reason and is currently completing internship. Case his attorney Ashlie case Sletvold, stated, America was founded on the principle of religious freedom are. Through these links at no cost to you Whitsels case his attorney Ashlie case Sletvold, stated, was! I 'm supposed to wear an eye patch to honor his sacrifice and journey. 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