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. 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. ins.dataset.adClient = pid; Cosplaying as a Viking isn't a religion, though it is fun to do at parties. The Nevada Army Guard's first religious accommodation waiver granted a Norse Pagan soldier permission to grow a beard. 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. } Author, Erik studied Anthropology in college and is currently completing an internship with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Employers must offer religious accommodations with regard to religious garb and grooming, as long as it does not cause undue hardship for the company. Observation Post articles reflect author observations or attempts at humor. 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. 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. It is simply too bad that in the 70's the Air force believed in only three religions and enforced their beliefs upon everyone. The Navy did away with the beards in 1985. It is sometimes pointed out that there have been cases in the US military whereby Heathens have been allowed to wear beards. Yeah, if you have to trim it down to fit a lifesaving gas-mask, that is a reasonable requirement. For many years there has been a recurring discussion regarding the right of Pagans, and in particular Heathens, in the armed forces and other uniformed organisations to grow a Beard. Federal and state laws guarantee Mr. Whitsel the right to practice his faith without interference from his employer. The Army Times reported in April 2018 that under those regulations, a soldier at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., had been granted permission to wear a beard in accordance with his Norse pagan faith. This has to do with what we assume about the Gods. The Telegraph:Facial hair's formative years: what the Vikings and Romans did for male grooming. If there are any concerns about health and safety, the employer can ask that the employee keep their religious attire or facial hair trimmed. He was told to shave or be fired. They're perceptions. 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. var ffid = 2; The fact that he is beardless is an easy way to identify someone in an era where most people had beards, but it doesnt imply any religious requirement to do so. However, some laws are unconstitutional and have remained on challenged. Beard balm is nice. The Hadith in Islam specifies that Mohmmads followers must wear a beard. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); 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 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 HUGE difference. It is something new and authorized, and you will always encounter people who do not like change. Army Soldier Allowed to Grow Beard for Norse Religion, a 'Heathen' Tradition. (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.. clean shaven and short hair cuts are the name of the game . 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? Thor is a real god, honored today by many. I don't worry about appearance details for any reason. You are right. Why not? It is not an official policy of the US military. They are descriptions of the people of the time. "Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper, a 34-year-old Alabama native and member of the Nevada Army Guards 3665th Ordnance Company, was granted the waiver following a lengthy review process that concluded with the Armys acknowledgement of his sincerity as a heathen. The Gods are here for you, your ancestors are here for you, the spirits all around you are here for you regardless of whether you are struggling in life or you are feeling at the top of your game. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper a member of the Nevada National Guard, religious accommodation to Army Regulation 670-1 Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms. 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. 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. I guess the majority of military brass prefer looking at soldiers with pretty faces, for some strange reason. Yet vaccines mutate. The process can take a long time and it often comes with negative attention that may effect your career. During training theres many good reasons to eliminate hair mostly having to do with how much times wasted on cleaning and grooming . 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. 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. But the fact is, in Heathenry, we always have hope that's beyond what people can buy. If the army approves of this guy wearing a beard into battle, then so be it. Read our article Paganism is on the Rise to learn how we are growing as a culture. If nice smelling soap is your deal, then get the nice smelling soap. and that is How Racism Should be dealt with; in the Military and in our Communities Norse religion is not racially motivated. A member of the Norse Pagan Faith, serving in the 795th Military Police Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., has been granted permission to wear a beard under a 2017 Army policy directive which . Attending a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving. So, as a Norse Heathen, I find this whole thing upsetting. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; Beards are seen as sacred and as a defining feature of the sirin ancient texts such as Konungsbk Eddukva. Beards are in fact the true expression of spirituality, masculinity, and what it means to be Heathen. Legal Statement. I, as a Trans Soldier, 100% agree with you. Sometimes those who are new to Heathenry read the arguments made by these groups and are convinced by them as they often claim to be based on historical sources. The difference in Islam and Sikhism is that there is a specific Religious rather than social requirement. Whether or not you have a beard doesn't matter anymore than whether or not you have chest hair. The state granted the association formal recognition as a religious organization on May 16 1973. Employers cannot question an employee's religious beliefs, but they can ask for reasonable documentation to support the religious accommodation request. Hopper, like service members who have sought exemptions before, was advised to meet with a chaplain to present his case. A solitary Wiccan, Erik writes about Wicca, Norse religion, and making altars. 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). "You Growing a Beard Sailor or You Just Lazy?" With the military, my perception has always been that they want soldiers to be part of a team and to all look similar. And getting a set of weights, using them and feeling stronger or just like you're having fun is also neat. This isn't to say you shouldn't get those things if you enjoy them. var container = document.getElementById(slotId); From any perspective therefore,Lokiis the very opposite of what a man should strive to be. Many made interesting patterns. Faith isn't just something that inspires you to be better, it's something that reminds you that you matter and you make a difference regardless of where you find yourself in life. I bet they don't call Muslims or Sikhs "heathens" even though the term would technically apply to all. norse pagan beard requirements. Away with you home ye dung-beardlings! 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. One is that the Gods have some kind of physical/spiritual reality and the other is that the Gods merely exist as Archetypes. What do you think? Beards are a popular fashion right now across society, regardless of religious belief. Read more in our article Challenges of Being a Pagan. or redistributed. Likewise, they would not be able to worship the old Gods, as these laws specifically forbid it. Naval Institute):Nobody Asked Me, But Beards Can Save Lives, Task and Purpose:A Soldier Just Got Permission To Rock A Beard Because Hes A Metal Heathen, Fox News:Army allows soldier to have beard because of his 'Norse Pagan' faith, Army Times:A soldier just got authorization to wear a beard because of his Norse pagan faith, Business Insider:A US soldier who worships the Norse thunder god Thor just got permission to keep his beard, Washington Times:Army allows soldier to grow a beard in observance of his Norse Pagan faith, Newsweek:Army soldier allowed to grow beard for norse religion, a heathen tradition, Stars and Stripes:Soldier allowed to have a beard because of his Norse pagan faith, Daily Mail:Soldier allowed to keep his beard because of his Norse pagan faith. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! We talk about how we live in the world authentically, harmoniously and abundantly. In fact, Command Sgt. 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. Saying "Odin has one eye" or "Thor has a red beard" aren't statements of fact. At no point do they mention any spiritual or religious aspect of beard wear. ins.dataset.adChannel = cid; There is no definitive account because there is no definitive perception of the Divine. Keep in mind that any affiliate product we recommend is one that we use ourselves. Trading activities are carried out by Pagan Federation, a not for profit company limited by guarantee and registered in England number 04056879 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. The Asatru Community will not send a letter to an employer, stating that a beard is a religious tenant or requirement for a follower of Asatru. 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 . of all weirds ones. 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. It would seem, then, that a beard was not required to participate in religion or society. Maybe you're feeling the creeping fingers of old age. 12-13 yrs ago a Small city on the west side of the Puget sound with Scandinavian Heritage Chose a Mixed race Highschool girl for the Queen of their yearly Festival. Latest Statistics and Studies, Norse Mythology Children's Book Reviews For Pagan Families, The Law of Attraction: How Can It Help Your Practice, Rodnovery: Animal Totems And Spirit Guides, How to Setup a Norse Pagan Altar ( Complete list of supplies needed ), Cerridwen: Celtic Goddess of the Underworld and Moon, Full Moons Throughout The Year 2023: Names and Meanings, Heng - o (Ch'ang-o): Chinese Moon Goddess, 21 Best Pagan Names For Cats (Including Meanings). A religion, or even a set of religions under the umbrella terms of "Paganism" or "Heathenry," is a complex and surprising institution. Not so much. Most Pagans do not believe their Gods to be perfect. They'll make you feel like you aren't man enough, like you aren't good enough or like you're just not enough in and of yourself. Your guess is as good as mine. About the Gods Army Regulation 670-1 wear and appearance of Army Uniforms keep in mind that any affiliate we! 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