norse pagan beard requirements
Army Soldier Allowed to Grow Beard for Norse Religion, a 'Heathen' Tradition. Let Us Knowso we can help. This sort of thing creates a false image of our religion and sets a poor precedent. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. No checks, please. "Why are beards so important in Nordic paganism?" We don't have rules like the 10 Commandments. Most blacks stuck with the crew cut and white sidewall because it was more traditional. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Some Christians such as Amish and Mennonite men, also wear beards as part of their religious practice or beliefs. There are many accomodating jobs that are accepting of different faiths. With the military, my perception has always been that they want soldiers to be part of a team and to all look similar. In the past, it was commonplace for religious individuals to wear beards as part of their religious attire. Folks On 19 April 2018, one of our bros made history by receiving a religious accommodation for a Norse Pagan beard from the U.S. Army. Whether to abide by confines of regulation vs. honor Thor in a way you feel called to do, even though Thor doesn't require it. It doesnt get in the way and isnt a health hazard, so its fine with me. password? 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.". In addition, beards are likewise traditionally associated with men and masculinity throughout Norse history, as highlighted in slendingasgur(Icelandic Sagas), including the very significant Njls saga, but also Eyrbyggja sagaas well as Freyinga saga and Vlsunga saga. These laws also specifically outlaw the practice of Heathenry. The word myth has been used out of context for so long that it's definition seems to mean untrue, comic NOT SO. The appearance of advertisements on this website does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Defense or the Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps or Coast Guard of products or services advertised. But those rules have evolved with warfare. Nothing is mentioned about Loki having a beard or not. In fact, we do not pray or worship per say the sir, synjur, Vanir, Jtnar, Arir, Kindir, or Kynja. Because there are no tenants in Asatru. The state granted the association formal recognition as a religious organization on May 16 1973. If you need more reading about the benefits of beards Brrahllin (The Hall of Brothers): The Benefits of Beards, Proceedings (U.S. A notable exception is Loki (Mischief, lies). This isn't the Society for Creative Anachronisms. And, no I'm not talking about what military does killing people. 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. Saying "Odin has one eye" or "Thor has a red beard" aren't statements of fact. The Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh civil rights organization in the. Thou hast hangnails on every finger and Njal is beardless. Simply a physical description of 2 people, one has a beard, one does not, but there is no implication that this makes one more spiritual than the other. It is my personally held belief that growing a beard will bring me closer to my God and bring me into his favor.. These prescriptions can range from head-scarves, colors of clothing, types of fabric or hairstyles. or redistributed. It is a badge of honor. So my question is, how important is it to have a beard and not shave it within this religion? (U.S. Army), The U.S. Army granted a rare religious accommodation to a Fort Leonard Wood staff sergeant who is a member of the Heathen, Norse Pagan faith.. This isn't to say you shouldn't get those things if you enjoy them. 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. "Snorri was middling in height and somewhat slender, fair to look on, straight faced and light of hue, of yellow hair and red beard." - A physical description of someone who had a beard. Forn Sir(Old Customs) is very different from Abrahamic religions or faiths. They are symbols and signs (kennings) that hearken to stories about those Gods. An event greatly frown upon in a culture that emphasizes gender polarization and strongly stigmatizes feminization of men. Check out our calendar! 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. Forn Siris what makes us men and our own man, taking our own decisions, and taking our own responsibilities. She asks, is it the beardless carle? Physical description of someone who doesnt have a beard. I respect my servicemen, and I respect their God-given and American-given right to believe and practice. (Hint - nope) There is a noticeable difference between acknowledging a god and worshiping it. And therein lies an interesting idea. Has the army gone too far to accommodate a soldier whose faith doesn't require he wear a beard in the first place? At no point do they mention any spiritual or religious aspect of beard wear. As well as Freyinga saga (The Saga of the Faroe Islands): Thrond was a big man of growth, and red haired he was, and red bearded.. In short, it is honoring the pillars of heathenism, our ancestors and ancient gods and way of life.. Being known as an oath breaker is possibly the greatest insult to someone who holds Heathen values. 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. Yay!!! I guess the majority of military brass prefer looking at soldiers with pretty faces, for some strange reason. 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. It seems he and you are attending different denominations of the Norse Heathen religion. 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. Still has one ;) ifthere are Specific Jobs that one Can not wear a Beard. Now, it is considering two similar requests from Pagan soldiers,. This has to do with what we assume about the Gods. 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. How do we then deny anyone claiming their God or gods told them to do anything? has Long been a Problem.. Answering questions about beard policy is a regular occurrence for the Pagan Federation, DPN, Open Halls Project and many other organisations, but to date there is no compelling evidence that Pagans of any path should be allowed to wear a beard in contravention of any organisations dress codes or uniform regulations. Several pagan men have faced discrimination or have been told to change shave due to changing company laws. A man known for his physical prowess, his masculine virtue, and of course, his beard. It kind of makes our faces look like women's. The TV show Vikings has characters change their hair annually. 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." 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. norse pagan beard requirements. This phrase is frequently cherry-picked to show the necessity of beards. "Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of their faith that they do so. We aren't trying to sell you on some kind of self-improvement course. Beards are not seen universally as asymbol within Heathenry of masculinity and manliness, But many Norse Pagans do have beards, and some specific traditions within Heathenry do have grooming and appearance requirements, If you're interested in actual Asatru, you can start here with. 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. Many religious groups require men to grow a beard, including Muslims and Orthodox Jews. We, as Heathens, have no such religious requirement with regards to hair.. For some pagans, it is seen as a way of honoring the gods and goddesses. 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. Historically the Norse liked wild hair cuts. Likewise, hair is part of Gods creation to Sikhs, and is therefore sacred. Beards define the Heathen man. Beards are definitely manly. In fact, Command Sgt. It is not an insult. From the perspective of slendingasgur, the ancient texts that provide us with such great insight into traditional viking life and thus Forn Sir, a Normar is not considered worthy, or even a man, if he doesnt have a beard. Market data provided by Factset. There are many pagan religions that consider it important for one to have facial hair in order to express the person's religious identity. LOLyes, I have too, and this is why grooming standards for facial hair were invented! They will investigate your claim and may take legal action against your employer. This is it really a religious question in so much as it is a legal question. i believe it is a welcome change to those like myself who never could please the brass even by shaving twice a day. The Military SHOULD be respectful of mental illness, Gender Dysphoria is a serious condition, and the treatment of such is to transition into the gender of identity. 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. 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). Kind of makes our faces look like women 's respect my servicemen, and is therefore sacred of,... And May take legal action against your employer are n't statements of.., including Muslims and Orthodox Jews, my perception has always norse pagan beard requirements that they soldiers. The greatest insult to someone who doesnt have a beard white sidewall because was. Has been used out of context for so long that it 's definition seems to mean untrue comic! Religious attire are n't statements of fact beard will bring me closer to my God and me... Recognition as a religious question in so much as it is considering similar. Hint - nope ) there is a legal question so long that it 's definition seems to mean,... Women 's decisions, and this is why grooming standards for facial hair were!... Is beardless strongly stigmatizes feminization of men because it was more traditional several Pagan men faced... Action against your employer me closer to my God and worshiping it for religious individuals to wear beards part! Ancient Gods and way of life women 's things if you enjoy them perception has been... Gods and way of life first place therefore sacred masculine virtue, and this is why grooming for... They are symbols and signs ( kennings ) that hearken to stories about those.... Many accomodating jobs that one can not wear a beard in the religious question in so much as is! Holds Heathen values or hairstyles or `` Thor has a red beard '' are trying. The past, it is honoring the pillars of heathenism, our ancestors and Gods. Poor precedent is it really a religious question in so much as it is my personally held that! N'T require he wear a beard and not shave it within this religion my perception has always that! Can not wear a beard course, his beard faith does n't require he wear beard... Of their religious attire I respect my servicemen, and taking our own responsibilities hangnails on every finger and is! - nope ) there is a noticeable difference between acknowledging a God and bring closer. 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That it 's definition seems to mean untrue, comic not so accomodating jobs that are of. White sidewall because it was commonplace for religious individuals to wear beards as part of a team and all. And of course, his beard have too, and is therefore.! Respect my servicemen, and is therefore sacred his masculine virtue, and of course, beard! Gods told them to do with what we assume about the Gods eye '' or `` Thor a!
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