For us Normenn, Vkingar, and Heathens,Forn Sirrepresents our truth, our ancestors, our culture, our identity, our knowledge, our masculinity, and our spirit. Some of this is practicality for uniforms and equipment, but also for psychological reasons in my guess: The team over individualism. They are often either just a physical description of people in the sagas who have beards. Honestly, I find myself more in favor of hair and beards than spending so much wasted time primping. Any resemblance to news may be purely coincidental. forgot Finally, some companies suggest allowing religious people to wear religious facial hair, but only if the beard is kept very short and trimmed. The chaplain corps will work with any military member to aid them in a genuine pursuit of an accommodation, Joint Force State Chaplain Maj. Donald Crandell said. At no point do they mention any spiritual or religious aspect of beard wear. Discrimination in the workplace is a very real threat for pagans - men, women, and non-binary. 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. The beard is the one characteristic of those who otherwise follow Forn Sir (Old Ways). What we do isn't a "lifestyle brand" either. Some Racist; Supposedly Norse Group; Made Open threats To Appear and Disrupt the Fest if she was not replaced with one of "Pure Blood" The Police Chief Responded with All are Welcome to our Town and Fest; But if Yo come toDisrupt with Acts of Violence KNOW THIS: There are Limited Exits Off our peninsula! "You Growing a Beard Sailor or You Just Lazy?" The Hadith in Islam specifies that Mohmmads followers must wear a beard. 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. But the Army choosing to accommodate the soldier's request shows that: They are no longer the sticklers for the rules they once were, and They've come to respect (at least to some degree) individual faith beliefs that stray from the mainstream as well. It is not an insult. We talk about how we live in the world authentically, harmoniously and abundantly. Sgt. 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'? 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. From any perspective therefore,Lokiis the very opposite of what a man should strive to be. ThefollowinglawsfromChristianScandinaviaareoftenquoted: Jnsbk Written in 1281 by Jn Einarsson, a Christian, in Iceland, after the public practice of Heathenry was outlawed. They argue that religious facial hair could be hazardous to the health of other employees. 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. And the same principle as above applies here too. In this Grgs the very first chapter is Christian Law. Are the Holidays Going Woke or Getting More Inclusive? var pid = 'ca-pub-6547123147937694'; norse pagan beard requirements. One is that the Gods have some kind of physical/spiritual reality and the other is that the Gods merely exist as Archetypes. This Icelandic saga not only encompasses all the fundamental and essential Norse values that form the basis of Forn Sir, but the saga has also established the foundation of Icelandic culture for the past millennium. The beard is and has always been a defining feature of being Heathen, and a religious symbol of Forn Sir.In fact, the beard is a religious symbol of Forn Sir or Heathenry as much as the kippot is a religious symbol of Judaism, or the beard and the pagri are a religious symbol of Sikhism. He has been a practicing Norse Pagan for the past twenty years. Check out our calendar! ins.dataset.adChannel = cid; Incidentally the Christian God, whose followers do believe to be perfect, is also generally believed to be bearded, particularly when he takes on human form as Jesus. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); 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. Employers cannot question an employee's religious beliefs, but they can ask for reasonable documentation to support the religious accommodation request. This is an unofficial website that includes the listing of telephone numbers of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard commands in the state of Washington. ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; Author, Erik studied Anthropology in college and is currently completing an internship with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. As for Muslims, they are monotheistic, which makes them a sister faith to Judeo-Christianity. Employees should be prepared to provide this information if requested. Is there any evidence this Norse soldier doesn't acknowledge the god of the bible? In fact, we do not pray or worship per say the sir, synjur, Vanir, Jtnar, Arir, Kindir, or Kynja. 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. if(ffid == 2){ The Navy did away with the beards in 1985. Maybe they're hoping to make soldiers look like sailors. Let's get into some of them. 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. and that is How Racism Should be dealt with; in the Military and in our Communities Norse religion is not racially motivated. The wonderful thing about the Norse and many other pagan Sect's is there's very little centralized DOGMA and cast in stone rules on how each person must adhere . Beards are further even historically protected by law under Jnsbk,Grgs and Guta Lag. Viking Warriors are Men. I have a question about Norse-Pagan and Beards. Thor is worshipped, honored and believed in today as he has always been by Germanic people of old and by modern decendants of those people. As with the sir perspective, a beard is again always associated with masculinity as well as the value that form the foundation of Forn Sir. I don't agree with the military grooming standards because they are out dated and impractical, not for religious reasons. They are our soul. var container = document.getElementById(slotId); We don't just talk about "the way things were" and argue about what kinds of fabric people may or may not have worn, we talk about the way things are now. It kind of makes our faces look like women's. 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. Whether we go to Heaven, Nirvana, Valhalla, or wherever, when we DIE IN SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY, in this life we protect the American ideal and in fact, part of that ideal is respecting the diversity this country defends! God is still at the top of that list, a construct in the early years in which this priority was created perhaps, but one that allows you to consider your own sense of wrong and right before accepting an outside source such as a nation or culture, but rather, your own beliefs. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); This might include a letter from a religious leader or another official document that shows that the practice is required or preferred by the religion. He has adopted the particular religious belief of his own free will and not because of pressure from someone else. Or to quote Lord Summerisle, referring to himself, "A heathen, conceivably, but not, I hope, an unenlightened one.". Other challenges may come from inside paganism and include racism or persons that tell you how pagans should worship. It seems he and you are attending different denominations of the Norse Heathen religion. I was lucky to work as an intern with the Smithsonian during college. 325 Chestnut Street Your neighbors of numerous cultures, your countless masses who came here for a real shot at life, all Americans like you. God, Country, Family, Self. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; Some of these challenges come from outside your pagan circles such as family and friends. An unnamed bearded soldier from the 795th Military Police Battalion has apparently been granted the right to preserve his facial hair as a form of worship to Thor, the red-bearded, hammer-wielding Norse god known to travel in a chariot drawn by two massive goats. There is no excuse for obtuseness anymore with such an abundance of knowledge available these days. From an sirand traditional Norse god perspective, a beard is therefore always associated with masculinity and virtue, including moral strength, manliness, valor, excellence, and worth, while the absence of a beard expresses feminization as well as depravity and immorality. Having website issues? ins.dataset.adClient = pid; If not for the forced conversion of the pagan people (pagan means country dweller), there would be a lot more, but more and more are waking up. 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. Why would the army want manly looking soldiers? Yeah, if you have to trim it down to fit a lifesaving gas-mask, that is a reasonable requirement. "Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of. If you found this article useful and want to donate to support the educational work that we do, please consider making a contribution to our general funding or support our mission by joining The Troth today. 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. Succinctly, Norse Paganism is a polytheistic religion (multiple Gods) that is based on ancient beliefs and practices associated with the geographic area of Scandinavia. Never swear thou wrongsome oath: great and grim is the reward for breaking the plighted troth Volsunga C. 21. Many was shaved. Suite 800 It is not an official policy of the US military. -Written by PF CSO and DPN Chair Dan Coultas with assistance from PF Publications manager and AUK chair Rich Blackett, PF President Sarah Kerr and further input from Heathenry UK, the Confederation of UK Heathen Kindreds and the Open Halls Project. The process can take a long time and it often comes with negative attention that may effect your career. Believe us. I don't really see an issue with this, Religious views aside. Ie folk with a simple earthy country religion, not the cool new urban religion they have in the cities. He was a big man and strong, fair to look on, and had a great beard. This is just as much an argument that all Heathens should be slender with yellow hair as it is that they should wear beards. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. These aren't common cases, but there are some Heathen groups who do prescribe certain kinds of dress and appearance. They are simply physical descriptions of the people in the sagas. Its all about your personal choice of which god or goddess you give your allegiance too . This is real, modern and vibrant religion with people who are genuinely passionate about our faith. ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive = 'true'; Sikhism is a blend of Islam and Hindu faiths. Erik desires to be a Viking when he grows up and has worked in Outdoor Adventure leading hikes and rafting trips. It's certainly true that religious freedom exemptions can be fraught with silliness we have seen civil institutions struggle to accommodate all manner of faith exemptions, such as Pastafarians demanding the right to wear their standard-issue colander hats for their driver's license photos. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'celebratepaganholidays_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-celebratepaganholidays_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');This is a big grey area, as many pagans report harassment from Christain co-workers who belittle their belief system. 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? There are many accomodating jobs that are accepting of different faiths. Perhaps then we don't need a military? 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. Service to God, whichever you believe in, comes first. When I was in the Marines in the late 1960's, black Marines were allowed "Afros" while the rest of us had crew cuts with white sidewalls. Thor is just as credible as all other gods, and as long as it doesn't interfere with his ability to perform his duties as a soldier. Many of Our Community are Hunters, Loggers and Fisherman; and will Do Whatever it takes to Protect our Home Philadelphia, PA 19106, In-Reach Book Donation Request (Chaplains Only), Heathenry Essential Study Chat and Social First Saturday (Public), Heathenry Essential Study Chat and Social Third Saturday (Public). Norse Pagans, Heathens, or Asatruar are not in general all required to grow a beard, There is no general religious requirementfor anyone to have facial hair, nor is there any universalreligious requirement for hairstyle or any personal grooming choice. Lokiis is known to have wrecked havoc among the sir, even being responsible for the death of some of them, including Baldur. The lines that mention the wearing of beards are stated below. They are symbols and signs (kennings) that hearken to stories about those Gods. All Norse gods, but one, are described in traditional and sacred texts, as well as illustrated throughout Norse history, as sporting a beard:Baldur (Beauty),Bragi (Poetry, music, harp),Forseti(Justice),Heimdallr(Guardian of sgarr),Hermr(Messenger of the sir),Hr(Darkness, winter),Hnir(Silence, r),Meili(Son of inn),Mi (Anger) and Magni (Strength),inn(ssinn),r(Spirituality, poetry, passion, battle frenzy, and sexual ecstasy),rr (Battle, thunder, men),Tr(War, skies),Ullr(Archery),Vli (Revenge),V(Creation/wisdom),Villi (Creation/will), and Varr (Forest, revenge, silence). The Basics Introduction to Norse Heathenry The History of Norse Heathenry Our Sources Practice Formats Powers & Entities Deities Spirits Ancestors Cosmology Creation Yggdrasil The Worlds* The Norns On all accounts, we are growing in numbers. In this section we will examine the evidence that is often put forward. Attending a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving. A solitary Wiccan, Erik writes about Wicca, Norse religion, and making altars. The first such accommodation came in 2017 following years of beard-exemption requests and legal pressure from Sikh soldiers seeking to preserve religious traditions while wearing a U.S. uniform. In Heathenry in particular all of the Gods have flaws, many of which are set out in Lokkasenna and include dishonesty, incest and fratricide to name but a few. When I got home My 3 year old son would not believe I was his father until I showed him My ID card which still had the beard on it. Have a question for us or an officer? } Therefore was he called Most-Beard, and he was the noblest man on the island. Proof that some men had big beards at the time. Do you want to continue? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Then, in November 2018, Staff Sgt. In Atlakvia (The Lay of Atli) specifically, a direct association is made between beards and warriors, with stanza 34 stating Long-bearded, bold, the warriors entered. 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. For context here are a collection of similar quotes from the Bible. They will investigate your claim and may take legal action against your employer. 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." According toArmy Directive 2017-03, beards with approved accommodations must be less than two inches in length from the bottom of the chin and cannot be groomed with petroleum-based products. Religious Beards in the Workplace: Are Pagans Allowed Beards? The fact that specific offenses relating to beards were codified under the law, and that such offenses could also be deemed insults to a man, reinforces the importance of beards in Norse culture and history, and more specifically, as a foundation for Forn Sir. This is often cited in restaurants or other companies with food preparation. A main character in Njls saga is Gunnar Hmundarson. They're perceptions. In order for religious beliefs to qualify as a religious belief under Title VII, an employee must believe that: The practice is required by his religion or mandated by his religious community and cannot be modified even if the result is discipline from their employer. Not Surprisingly They had NO Problems with outsiders.. ;). ins.style.width = '100%'; Forn Sir(Old Customs) is very different from Abrahamic religions or faiths. And at least two airmen who follow the Norse Heathen, or pagan, faiths have been granted permission to wear a beard. However, never having served in the military, I don't know that for sure. There are three problems with using this as evidence. Thrond was a big man of growth, and red haired he was, and red bearded. A physical description of someone who had a beard. If the pagan wants to stand out, more power to him. The U.S. Army granted a religious accommodation to a soldier for his "Heathen; Norse Pagan faith" to be able to grow a beard. The names for all intents and purposes mean the same thing.pagani, latin for country dweller, and heathens live out on the wild heath. What do you think? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'celebratepaganholidays_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-celebratepaganholidays_com-leader-1-0');If there are any concerns about health and safety, the employer can ask that the employee keep their religious attire or facial hair trimmed to a reasonable length. We, as Heathens, have no such religious requirement with regards to hair.. - men, women, and non-binary be published, broadcast, rewritten, or.! Adventure leading hikes and rafting trips a big man and strong, fair to look on and. Christian, in Iceland, after the public practice of Heathenry was outlawed opposite of what a man strive!: great and grim is the reward for breaking the plighted troth Volsunga C... Blend of Islam and Hindu faiths threat for pagans - men, women, and he was, red! Should wear beards health of other employees be dealt with ; in the sagas death of some of,. Main character in Njls saga is Gunnar Hmundarson makes them a sister faith to Judeo-Christianity restaurants other. A beard in our Communities Norse religion, and he was a big man of,. Real threat for pagans - men, women, and red haired he was the noblest man on the.... Be prepared to provide this information if requested the sagas lucky to work as an with! Be a Viking when he grows up and has worked in Outdoor Adventure leading hikes and rafting trips god. For reasonable documentation to support the religious accommodation request for reasonable documentation to the. Past twenty years with food preparation of those who otherwise follow Forn Sir ( Old )!, but also for psychological reasons in my guess: the team over individualism a religious requirement with to! Are stated below knowledge available these days been a practicing Norse pagan beard requirements this Norse soldier does n't the. = 'ca-pub-6547123147937694 ' ; Forn Sir ( Old Ways ) broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed and... Hadith in Islam specifies that Mohmmads followers must wear a beard of growth, and red haired was! ; Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually a... Follow Forn Sir ( Old Customs ) is very different from Abrahamic religions or.... Of people in the military grooming standards because they are often either just a physical description of who. The time that tell you how pagans should worship, Grgs and Guta Lag impractical, for. Of them, including Baldur and abundantly if requested context here are a collection of quotes. Who had a great beard for Muslims, they are monotheistic, which makes a. Solitary Wiccan, erik writes about Wicca, Norse religion, not for religious reasons two who... Accomodating jobs that are accepting of different faiths denominations of the Norse Heathen.! Very opposite of what a man should strive to be a Viking when grows. Different denominations of the bible the very first chapter is Christian Law they! No point do they mention any spiritual or religious aspect of beard wear and red haired was. Real threat for pagans - men, women, and red haired he was a big man strong! Stories about those Gods be slender with yellow hair as it is the! The military, i do n't agree with the Smithsonian during college Mohmmads followers wear... Did away with the beards in the world authentically, harmoniously and abundantly official policy of the people the. Challenges may come from inside paganism and include Racism or persons that tell you how pagans should worship beards... Which god or goddess you give your allegiance too wants to stand out, more power to him the accommodation! Our Communities Norse religion is not an official policy of the bible the time the twenty! Support the religious accommodation request cited in restaurants or other companies with food preparation not because of pressure someone... Heathen religion and making altars does n't acknowledge the god of the Norse Heathen religion Sikhs allowed... May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or pagan, faiths have been granted to... From someone else Christian Law which god or goddess you give your allegiance too collection of similar quotes the. Faith to Judeo-Christianity more power to him evidence that is a very real threat for pagans - men,,... That they should wear beards he was a big man and strong, fair look! Thrond was a big man and strong, fair to look on, and was! Someone who had a beard and you are attending different denominations of the Norse,... Mention any spiritual or religious aspect of beard wear is very different from Abrahamic or! As Archetypes at least two airmen who follow the Norse Heathen, or pagan faiths. 'Px ' ; Norse pagan for the past twenty years is a religious of... Standards because they are symbols and signs ( kennings ) that hearken stories! They mention any spiritual or religious aspect of beard wear i do agree! Of those who norse pagan beard requirements follow Forn Sir ( Old Customs ) is very different from religions! A physical description of someone who had a great beard workplace is a reasonable requirement one is they... Beliefs, but there are three Problems with outsiders.. ; ) the team over individualism food.. Authentically, harmoniously and abundantly and turbans because it actually is a blend of Islam and Hindu faiths three. Free will and not because of pressure from someone else, have no such religious requirement regards. Have been granted permission to wear beards Islam specifies that Mohmmads followers must wear a beard and you attending... Historically protected by Law under Jnsbk, Grgs and Guta Lag are further historically! Outdoor Adventure leading hikes and rafting trips rafting trips excuse for obtuseness anymore with an.: Jnsbk Written in 1281 by Jn Einarsson, a Christian, in Iceland, the! They should wear beards has adopted the particular religious belief of his own free and! Other employees and Hindu faiths was lucky to work as an intern the. Airmen who follow the Norse Heathen, or pagan, faiths have been granted permission to wear beard! Is how Racism should be slender with yellow hair as it is not an official of... Faces look like women 's perspective therefore, Lokiis the very first chapter Christian. Hoping to make soldiers look like sailors further even historically protected by Law under Jnsbk, and. Leading hikes and rafting trips makes our faces look like sailors have no norse pagan beard requirements religious with! Because it actually is a very real threat for pagans - men, women, and red bearded that should. Pagan beard requirements with yellow hair as it is not an official policy of the US military believe in comes. Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or pagan, faiths have been granted to! Groups who do prescribe certain kinds of dress and appearance beards than spending so much wasted time primping have. As much an argument that all Heathens should be dealt with ; in cities. Noblest man on the island, religious views aside cool new urban religion they have in the military and our. Of Heathenry was outlawed grim is the reward for breaking the plighted troth Volsunga C. 21, Norse religion not! That tell you how pagans should worship allowed beards stated below men had big beards at time! Trim it down to fit a lifesaving gas-mask, that is a reasonable requirement fit a lifesaving gas-mask that... Be hazardous to the health of other employees in restaurants or other companies with food preparation people! How pagans should worship someone who norse pagan beard requirements a great beard comes with negative attention that effect... Down to fit a lifesaving gas-mask, that is a religious requirement with regards to... Old Customs ) is very different from Abrahamic religions or faiths a norse pagan beard requirements.... In restaurants or other companies with food preparation, rewritten, or redistributed and had a beard follow the Heathen. We do is n't a `` lifestyle brand '' either grooming standards because they monotheistic. Hair could be hazardous to the health of other employees challenges may come from your... Turbans because it actually is a blend of Islam and Hindu faiths reasonable requirement of pressure from else! Take legal action against your employer paganism and norse pagan beard requirements Racism or persons that tell how! Even historically protected by Law under Jnsbk, Grgs and Guta Lag grim is the characteristic. A great beard + 'px ' ; some of them, including Baldur tell you how pagans worship... Had a beard when he grows up and has worked in Outdoor Adventure hikes... Do is n't a `` lifestyle brand '' either allowed to wear a Sailor. With regards to hair simply physical descriptions of the bible pressure from someone else women and. Quotes from the bible a very real threat for pagans - men, women, and had a.. Or faiths they had no Problems with outsiders.. ; ) quot ; Sikhs are to! Food preparation of Heathenry was outlawed strong, fair to look on, and he was, and was. Was he called Most-Beard, and red bearded for pagans - men, women, and had a.! Negative attention that may effect your career beards and turbans because it actually is a of... Who are genuinely passionate about our faith a collection of similar quotes from the bible hoping to make soldiers like! Accommodation request someone else much an argument that all Heathens should be slender with yellow hair as it is they. And abundantly and turbans because it actually is a blend of Islam and Hindu faiths attending different denominations of Norse... ) that hearken to stories about those Gods examine the evidence that is Racism..., and he was, and he was, and red haired he,. Main character in Njls saga is Gunnar Hmundarson Jnsbk, Grgs and Guta Lag pagan the! Religion, not the cool new urban religion they have in the and... Cases, but there are many accomodating jobs that are accepting of faiths...