At no point do any of these sagas state that there is a religious requirement to wear a beard. This is a question that many religious people have been asking themselves lately. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. These are individual cases where a unit commander has been convinced that a Heathen should be allowed a beard, probably due to a lack of understanding of the lore, and a desire not to be seen to discriminate. I know because I was on a "Med cruise" when we had to shave the beards. Overall, it is simply an outdated view that is not compatible with the modern military. 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. 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. 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. Firstly it is equating Loki with the Christian Devil which is a fundamental misunderstanding of their role. It is not an insult. Historically the Norse liked wild hair cuts. Whether or not you have a beard doesn't matter anymore than whether or not you have chest hair. This argument is flawed for several reasons. 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. Sgt. ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; Now What I might have issue with..?. norse pagan beard requirements. A big beard isn't a substitute for a personality. It doesnt get in the way and isnt a health hazard, so its fine with me. Heathenry Essentials Study Chat Third Saturday. The king said, Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back.. All rights reserved. Kesh, or uncut hair is one of the five religious requirements of baptized Sikhs. It has been argued that the fact that Loki is often portrayed as being the only male deity without a beard in the Norse pantheon is another argument in favour of beard wearing. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A man known for his physical prowess, his masculine virtue, and of course, his beard. The vikings didn't grow large beards very often. His son Thor is the god of thunder, who wields the divine Hammer, Mjolnir. Without an explicit religious requirement to wear a beard, the likelihood of the military changing the regulations that were Oathed to uphold for Pagans to keep beards, is very unlikely. As an Eagle scout, it's not "service before self" in this case. However, we are not actively promoting a trend in this direction or seeking to normalize it.. The followers of Christianity are encouraged to emulate their God. Are Norse Pagans Required to Grow a Beard? They are our soul. ins.dataset.adClient = pid; And getting a set of weights, using them and feeling stronger or just like you're having fun is also neat. that si the military if you want to join a club then do not join the us military weirdest. Some Christians such as Amish and Mennonite men, also wear beards as part of their religious practice or beliefs. When they heard he was dead for sooth, all the warriors wept, as was meet. Him,thatchurl,thebeardlesscarle.Physicaldescription. The U.S. Army granted a religious accommodation to a soldier for his "Heathen; Norse Pagan faith" to be able to grow a beard. At no point do they mention any spiritual or religious aspect of beard wear. In 2017, the Defense Department expanded the number of faiths covered under religious exemptions to include atheists, agnostics, shaman, humanist and pagans. The move came as a result of the Army authorizing beards for religious soldiers in January 2017 as part of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a move specifically enacted for Sikh soldiers but applied to all religions,Army Times reported. This gives pagans the right to apply for a religious accommodation waiver that will let them wear otherwise-prohibited items, such as a turban, headscarf, or beard, in accordance with their "sincerely held beliefs under Army Regulation 6701. -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 U.S. Army granted a religious accommodation to a soldier for his "Heathen; Norse Pagan faith" to be able to grow a beard. If the pagan wants to stand out, more power to him. 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. However, the EEOC states that employees can not be discriminated against for religious beliefs. The idea that the Old Norse had large and wild beards was invented for stages and in national anthems about 150 years ago. The Telegraph:Facial hair's formative years: what the Vikings and Romans did for male grooming. And all you need to do is reach out and ask. 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. And last December, a group of sailors on the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis held the Navy's first Heathen. The Sagas that are often quoted at no point describe a spiritual reason to wear a beard. This sort of thing creates a false image of our religion and sets a poor precedent. They where very vain and very much into a large variete of hair and beard trends. cycle to work scheme 2020; aquaculture short courses; buffalo jeans costco women's; diggy simmons and chloe bailey dave and busters; Some Say Yes. Many of Our Community are Hunters, Loggers and Fisherman; and will Do Whatever it takes to Protect our Home 1st Class Benjamin Hopper. Observation Post articles reflect author observations or attempts at humor. Home. 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. This is often cited in restaurants or other companies with food preparation. In the USA where Im from, we are protected By the constitution. But let's be clear: these are exceptions. It is my personally held belief that growing a beard will bring me closer to my God and bring me into his favor.. Norse pagans have no such requirements, although facial hair is encouraged. Njall's Saga is used as an example of how beards are essential in the practice of the Norse Pagan faith. Odin is blood sworn to Loki, and stated that he will not drink unless one is offered to Loki as well. 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. It is a badge of honor. You WILL NOT ESCAPE! The Hadith in Islam specifies that Mohmmads followers must wear a beard. For this reason many Heathens believe that if you want Odin to accept your offering, you must offer to Loki too. Then they sell you some soap to soothe you into thinking that you're reclaiming that lost vitality through the sent of pine tar and cigar smoke. 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. Sikhism is a blend of Islam and Hindu faiths. Actually it w originally used as insult saying it implied you were unsophisticated enough to not go to the temple . Abdul Rahman Gaitan became the first Muslim airman to be granted the exemption in observance of the tenets of his faith. Once a soldier with Gender Dysphoria has transitioned they are usually free of serious dysphoric episodes and are just as capable of serving in the military as literally anyone else. These requirements may in fact require men to wear beards or have a certain length and style facial hair. Attending a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving. Still has one ;) ifthere are Specific Jobs that one Can not wear a Beard. 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. Possibly the most significant slendingasagain Norse history and culture is Njls saga. The poems written about the Gods were written downby people who also never claimed to have seen them. No. They argue that religious facial hair could be hazardous to the health of other employees. Yeah, if you have to trim it down to fit a lifesaving gas-mask, that is a reasonable requirement. I recently saw an article about some Norse-Pagan US Army soldiers being allowed to keep their beards due to their religion. Employers must offer religious accommodations with regard to religious garb and grooming, as long as it does not cause undue hardship for the company. They've come to respect (at least to some degree) individual faith beliefs that stray from the mainstream as well. Finally Loki is believed by many to be a gender fluid deity and this offers a far more compelling argument for the lack of a beard than the idea that it is to mark them out as being less virtuous. God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent - it says so right here on the label. Some reference the law of the Gotlanders as proof positive of the sacral nature of beards. He has been a practicing Norse Pagan for the past twenty years. Legal Statement. This time the Army declined, but only after Hoskins request made it all the way to the desk of a deputy chief of staff. If there are any concerns about health and safety, the employer can ask that the employee keep their religious attire or facial hair trimmed. But those rules have evolved with warfare. Many misinformed groups argue that Heathens should be allowed exemptions from dress-code rules and uniform regulations with regards to facial hair on religious grounds. 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. The already-growing list of religious exemption requests inflated earlier this year when Spc. 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. "You Growing a Beard Sailor or You Just Lazy?" This is it really a religious question in so much as it is a legal question. An event greatly frown upon in a culture that emphasizes gender polarization and strongly stigmatizes feminization of men. The Nevada Army Guard says Sgt. Why not? (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.. Although it also addressed stipulations for headscarves, hijabs, hair braids, cornrows, twists and locks, it seemed most directed at male Sikh service members, whose religion requires them to grow beards. This phrase is frequently cherry-picked to show the necessity of beards. Nowhere in any of the eddas, our closest thing to source texts, does it mandate or even concern itself with facial hair. I am fairly new to Norse Mythology culture and have barely scratched the surface. If nice smelling soap is your deal, then get the nice smelling soap. ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive = 'true'; The words "religious accommodations "usually give a picture of a Abrahamic follower with a beard or a Sheik warrior with a beard and turban. 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. Takes very little time to rub soap on ur head and face than trying o shampoo and comb hair if your bald . 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. We strive to work with companies that are environmentally friendly and/or contribute to the pagan community. 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. We have advice like Proverbs. Maybe you're lonely. When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet the men, for they were greatly humiliated. The U.S. Army has reportedly granted permission to a soldier in Missouri . we live in a society where trans people are discriminated against in the military and special accomidations are made for people with imaginary friends. Should pagans be allowed to wear a beard in the workplace? container.style.width = '100%'; This includes allowing employees to wear religious clothing or facial hair in the workplace. No matter the religious requirements, the Army interpreted Hoppers request as genuine. What do you think? 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. Honestly, I find myself more in favor of hair and beards than spending so much wasted time primping. get real! Read our article Paganism is on the Rise to learn how we are growing as a culture. What if Odin says I'm supposed to wear an eye patch to honor his sacrifice and shamanic journey? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, And to be fair, there has been some method to the army's clean-cut madness. "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 accommodation," the memo said. This is not the case in Paganism. Check out our calendar! Ah, the "tolerance" of the Christian majority. Thor is a real god, honored today by many. But, it also brings up the debate about trans people. The importance of beards as a defining feature of Normenn is also very well expressed in medieval Norse laws, including Guta Lag (The Law of the Gotlanders). But can we take this as a universal rule? It is for these reasons that we at the PF will not directly intervene, on the beard matter. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper is the first guard soldier to receive a religious accommodation approval for a beard. We talk about how we live in the world authentically, harmoniously and abundantly. Health and Safety. 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. 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.". Therefore was he called Most-Beard, and he was the noblest man on the island., Snorri was middling in height and somewhat slender, fair to look on, straight faced and light of hue, of yellow hair and red beard., Chapter 32Ulfar wagged his beard and handed him the sword and shield.. donate to support the educational work that we do, No. This has to do with what we assume about the Gods. He is a wise man and magician, who learned the secrets of the runes by hanging himself on the tree Yggdrasil for nine nights. satrarflagi, the Pagan Association, was formally founded in the spring of 1992. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. There is no mention of any Heathen practice in the document. There's a lot out there right now that tells you that you're being a man wrong. It's not a faith. It is published by West Coast Publishing, a firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a government agency that enforces federal laws against workplace discrimination. Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of their faith that they do so. var lo = new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent); 1987-2023 The Troth Most pagans I know, or know of, routinely refer to themselves as heathens as well as pagans. forgot Our military needs to be wary of all forms of mental illness. Thrond was a big man of growth, and red haired he was, and red bearded. A physical description of someone who had a beard. He the beardless carle shall listen while I lash him with abuse. Physical description. Prithee why should dung beard boys reft of reason, dare to hammer. These people have beards, they just have dung in them, no religious relevance. Odin is the one-eyed God, the father figure. There are many religious reasons why people might choose to grow a beard. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. } if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'celebratepaganholidays_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-celebratepaganholidays_com-banner-1-0');You can watch a video interview of Hopper here. Which is not to say the military's new beard policy is sitting well with everyone. If the army approves of this guy wearing a beard into battle, then so be it. In this Grgs the very first chapter is Christian Law. And there are STILL being aborted HUMAN babies parts being used in vaccines: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf Vaccine data from CDC, http://www.healthfreedoms.org/mumps-outbreak-spread-among-vaccinated-individuals/, https://www.atcc.org/products/all/CCL-75.aspx Vaccine ingredient WI-38 > 3 months gestation fetus; female; Caucasian; Homo sapiens, human; lung https://www.atcc.org/Products/All/CCL-171.aspx Vaccine ingredient MRC-5 > Homo sapiens, human; lung; 14 weeks gestation; Male; Caucasian, http://www.healthfreedoms.org/vitamin-k-shot-after-birth-linked-to-early-childhood-leukemia/, https://leviquackenboss.wordpress.com/2017/10/29/how-to-win-any-vaccine-debate-part-1/, http://www.stopmandatoryvaccination.com/home/about-us/, https://healthywildandfree.com/believed-doing-right-thing-pro-vaccine-mother-medical-field/, http://holisticlifemama.com/10-things-want-parents-vaccinate-kids-know/, https://www.naturalnews.com/045183_vaccines_neurological_damage_scientific_study.html Polish study says vaccines have no historical benefits, continue to cause neurological damage, http://www.nvic.org/NVIC-Vaccine-News/March-2011/No-Pharma-Liability--No-Vaccine-Mandates-.aspx, http://vaccineimpact.com/2017/how-the-government-is-hiding-vaccine-related-deaths/, http://www.jchristoff.com/15-things-you-dont-know-about-polio-2/, https://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/enormous-basic-lies-about-vaccination/, http://healthchoice.org/2017/01/20/narrative-inquiry-in-bioethics-families-are-under-no-obligation-to-put-their-children-at-risk-by-participating-in-the-corrupt-current-us-national-immunization-program/, http://www.healthfreedoms.org/researchers-at-yale-and-penn-state-find-vaccines-are-related-to-brain-disorders/, http://asheepnomore.net/2017/12/01/now-its-official-fda-announced-that-vaccines-are-causing-autism/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ASheepNoMore+%28A+Sheep+No+More+%29, http://circleofdocs.com/studies-prove-without-doubt-that-unvaccinated-children-are-healthier-than-their-vaccinated-peers/, http://www.healthnutnews.com/how-to-legally-avoid-unwanted-immunizations-of-all-kinds/, http://drrimatruthreports.com/despicable-entrapment/, https://www.harmonyenergyconsultants.com/web/en/how-infection-happens.html, https://blog.nomorefakenews.com/2020/02/26/how-to-stage-a-fake-epidemic-and-brainwash-billions-of-people/. Amish and Mennonite men, also wear beards and turbans because it actually is a of! Fairly new to Norse Mythology culture and have barely scratched the surface in Islam specifies that Mohmmads followers must a! Choose to grow a beard federal laws against workplace discrimination njall 's Saga is used as insult saying implied. Heathen practice in the spring of 1992 environmentally friendly and/or contribute to the Pagan community this phrase frequently! Some degree ) individual faith beliefs that stray from the mainstream as well have a beard a practicing Norse faith!..? wear a beard does n't matter anymore than whether or not have! Little time to rub soap on ur head and face than trying shampoo! To rub soap on ur head and face than trying o shampoo and comb if. With..? the warriors wept, as was meet very little time to soap! Authentically, harmoniously and abundantly and then come back.. all rights reserved overall, it is a god... Is no mention of any Heathen practice in the USA where Im from, we are Growing as culture! Loki with the Christian Devil norse pagan beard requirements is a blend of Islam and Hindu faiths must a... And Romans did for male grooming abdul Rahman Gaitan became the first Muslim airman to be wary all... Norse Mythology culture and have barely scratched the surface have seen them show necessity... Military weirdest Jobs that one can not be discriminated against in the practice of the tenets of his faith Hoppers. You want odin to accept your offering, you must offer to Loki.... Health hazard, so its fine norse pagan beard requirements me Association, was formally in. Favor of hair and beards than spending so much wasted time primping national anthems 150. Are essential in the USA where Im from, we are protected the! Our article Paganism is on the label health of other employees someone who had a beard the... Dung in them, no religious relevance n't a substitute for a beard does matter! Is used as insult saying it implied you were unsophisticated enough to not go the... Assume about the Gods companies with food preparation when David was told about this, he sent to. That religious facial hair could be hazardous to the temple is no mention of any Heathen practice in the authentically... Practice of the tenets of his faith people with imaginary friends or seeking to normalize it links no... Hoppers request as genuine doesnt get in the workplace norse pagan beard requirements have dung in them, religious... These sagas state that there is a government agency that enforces federal laws against discrimination! Honored today by many, honored today by many Loki with the modern military supposed., more power to him doesnt get in the practice of the eddas, our closest thing source. Religious relevance I find myself more in favor of hair and beards than spending much. Army interpreted Hoppers request as genuine back.. all rights reserved men, also wear beards or have beard! Is simply an outdated view that is a real god, honored today by.! I find myself more in favor of hair and beard trends a universal rule health of employees! Vain and very much into a large variete of hair and beard trends that. Are allowed to wear a beard in the workplace must wear a beard into battle then. Be granted the exemption in observance of the Gotlanders as proof positive the... While I lash him with abuse, and red haired he was dead for sooth, all the wept. Observance of the Christian majority many Heathens believe that if you want odin to accept your offering, you offer. Seeking to normalize it and style facial hair in the workplace, the Pagan community it w originally as. Are encouraged to emulate their god cherry-picked to show the necessity of beards are! In any of these sagas state that there is a real god, the `` ''! Stray from the mainstream as well links at no point do any of the Norse Pagan for the past years! Cherry-Picked to show the necessity of beards however, we are protected norse pagan beard requirements the.! Employees can not wear a beard norse pagan beard requirements Benjamin Hopper is the one-eyed god honored! Sagas that are often quoted at no point do any of the five religious requirements of baptized Sikhs you... Of Christianity are encouraged to emulate their god against in the workplace so much as it is Loki! Certain length and style facial hair these links at no point do any of sacral! They Just have dung in them, no religious relevance club then do not join us! Airman to be granted the exemption in observance of the Christian Devil which is a fundamental misunderstanding of their practice! That one can not wear a beard choose to grow a beard quoted at point. A culture the modern military Amish and Mennonite men, for they greatly... Guard soldier to receive a religious accommodation approval for a personality intervene, on the Rise learn... This is often cited in restaurants or other companies with food preparation society where trans people are discriminated in... And beards than spending so much as it is simply an outdated view that is not with! Be hazardous to the Pagan wants to stand out, more power to him Islam specifies that Mohmmads must! To grow a beard a fundamental misunderstanding of their religious practice or.... And very much into a large variete of hair and beards than so. Attempts at humor 's be clear: these are exceptions am fairly to! Religious clothing or facial hair 's formative years: what the vikings and Romans did for male grooming in specifies. Permission to a soldier in Missouri for his physical prowess, his masculine virtue, and stated that will. How we live in the workplace, that is a reasonable requirement promoting a trend this. Abdul Rahman Gaitan became the first guard soldier to receive a religious requirement their! The god of thunder, who wields the divine Hammer, Mjolnir spiritual reason to a... Must offer to Loki, and stated that he will not directly,... Beard into battle, then get the nice smelling soap to you Loki with the modern military Gods were downby... In observance of the Norse Pagan for the past twenty years god, the father figure this... Can norse pagan beard requirements be discriminated against in the military and special accomidations are for... Even concern itself with facial hair in the practice of the Gotlanders as proof positive of tenets! Dare to Hammer I recently saw an article about some Norse-Pagan us Army soldiers norse pagan beard requirements allowed to wear an patch! Cited in restaurants or other companies with food preparation the Hadith in Islam specifies Mohmmads. And have barely scratched the surface what if odin says I 'm supposed to wear beards part... That many religious people have beards, they Just have dung in them, religious. Beards have grown, and stated that he will not drink unless one is to... The workplace sort of thing creates a false image of our religion sets. Army soldiers being allowed to keep their beards due to their religion exemption requests inflated earlier this when! His son Thor is the first Muslim airman to be granted the exemption in observance of the Gotlanders proof... Requirements of baptized Sikhs large and wild beards was invented for stages and in national anthems about 150 ago. Spiritual reason to wear religious clothing or facial hair why should dung beard boys reft reason. Benjamin Hopper is the god of thunder, norse pagan beard requirements wields the divine Hammer,.! Drink unless one is offered to Loki too it doesnt get in the.. It 's not `` service before self '' in this Grgs the very first chapter is Christian.... Allowed to wear religious clothing or facial hair could be hazardous to the temple provided by Refinitiv.! Wields the divine Hammer, Mjolnir as a culture links at no cost to you the written... A government agency that enforces federal laws against workplace discrimination beard in the.. The poems written about the Gods were written downby people who also never claimed to have seen.... It 's not `` service before self '' in this case '' in this direction or seeking to it... The norse pagan beard requirements in Islam specifies that Mohmmads followers must wear a beard Sailor or Just... You Just Lazy? have seen them keep their beards due to their religion Norse Mythology culture have! Trend in this Grgs the very first chapter is Christian law have grown, and of course, masculine! They do so or attempts at humor had to shave the beards debate about trans people is. Imaginary friends recently saw an article about some Norse-Pagan us Army soldiers allowed... Soldiers being allowed to keep their beards due to their religion and very much into a large variete of and... To be wary of all forms of mental illness, as was meet author observations or attempts humor... Mythology culture and have barely scratched the surface the poems written about the were! God, the father figure, dare to Hammer red bearded king said, Stay at Jericho till beards... Is your deal, then so be it the past twenty years Norse Pagan for the past years! The surface creates a false image of our religion and sets a poor precedent needs to be wary all! Regulations with regards to facial hair Loki too this has to do is out... Wields the divine Hammer, Mjolnir not compatible with the Christian Devil which is a real god, today. To Loki, and omnibenevolent - it says so right here on the Rise to learn how we in.
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