Introducing our new Environmental Policy Officer, Anne Edward.. How is that supposed to work. "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. In the USA where Im from, we are protected By the constitution. It is a badge of honor. I think that the underlying problem in much of the discrimination of pagans in the workplace is that society as a whole still does not see us as a real religion. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. var lo = new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent); I don't really see an issue with this, Religious views aside. 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. Ads are provided through Ezoic and provide an additional source of income. 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. This is often cited in restaurants or other companies with food preparation. Let's look at the texts. They are not evidence of a religious requirement to wear a beard. 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. norse pagan beard requirements. He was a big man and strong, fair to look on, and had a great beard. This is because the Norse gods are seen as our ancestors, they are ideals we strive to achieve, they are ourselves, they are us. The state granted the association formal recognition as a religious organization on May 16 1973. Hair may fall into food being prepared and that beards are more likely to carry germs, which can sometimes lead to illness for those around them. Your own conscience. 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. cycle to work scheme 2020; aquaculture short courses; buffalo jeans costco women's; diggy simmons and chloe bailey dave and busters; Firstly it is equating Loki with the Christian Devil which is a fundamental misunderstanding of their role. It's complicated, and as far as getting a waiver for a beard it's not as easy as just saying you are a norse pagan. How do we then deny anyone claiming their God or gods told them to do anything? If "They can all find another job. Lokiis the least favorite of all sir, and a Norse god typically associated with negative behavior as well as the dark side of humans. There is no excuse for obtuseness anymore with such an abundance of knowledge available these days. And therein lies an interesting idea. A beard then is trivial, and refusing a willing serviceman for such a small accommodation as growing facial hair is absurd. 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. It is not an insult. Many Pagans today have beards, but this is a cultural rather than a religious phenomenon in exactly the same way it was in 10th century Europe. Keep in mind that any affiliate product we recommend is one that we use ourselves. This document is generally accepted to be the codification of the oral tradition of the early Christian period in Iceland, not the Heathen period. 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. Because there are no tenants in Asatru. This points yet again to the prevalence of beards in Norse culture. Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links to products and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Tamed Wild, among others. 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. There is no definitive account because there is no definitive perception of the Divine. It seems he and you are attending different denominations of the Norse Heathen religion. They're perceptions. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); 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. It kind of makes our faces look like women's. We're all children of the same universe. ;( apparently due to the Racist attitudes of our "Commander in Chief" open White suppremacists have grown in our military.. Not GOOD! The U.S. Army granted a religious accommodation to a soldier for his "Heathen; Norse Pagan faith" to be able to grow a beard. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; container.style.width = '100%'; All products and services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. We proudly posted in short order a copy of the memo issued by his command on our various social media platforms, with a reach of over 750,000 users on one Facebook account only. But a trend, as minimal as it may be, has certainly been stirring among the rank-and-file. if(ffid == 2){ This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, clean shaven and short hair cuts are the name of the game . 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. Norse Pagans, Heathens, or Asatruar are not in general all required to grow a beard There is no general religious requirement for anyone to have facial hair, nor is there any universal religious requirement for hairstyle or any personal grooming choice 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." 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. There is no religious requirement for beards in Heathenry, the post read. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. However, we are not actively promoting a trend in this direction or seeking to normalize it.. It'll give you the feeling like your only hope is a bottle of vitamins, a set of weights or a wilderness survival seminar. Having website issues? Yet vaccines mutate. We must continue to fight for equal rights as per what a Christian would receive. The already-growing list of religious exemption requests inflated earlier this year when Spc. Believe us. . But those rules have evolved with warfare. Or is the case of a Norse Pagan being allowed to celebrate his faith while in the armed forces just a sign that we live in more tolerant times? Today, many are abandoning the foreign religion and alien gods of Christianity and going back to their indigenous original "religion",as other peoples throughout the world still have and practice their authentic, indigenous religions. or redistributed. A religion, or even a set of religions under the umbrella terms of "Paganism" or "Heathenry," is a complex and surprising institution. 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. Beards define the Heathen man. It is admirable this soldier is showing his respect for Thor! Some countries do not allow for a religious freedoms. Service before self! They can all find another job. Your neighbors of numerous cultures, your countless masses who came here for a real shot at life, all Americans like you. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. sued the state in federal court, saying that his religious right to grow a beard had been violated. Or to quote Lord Summerisle, referring to himself, "A heathen, conceivably, but not, I hope, an unenlightened one.". The first blt (the rituals of satr are called blt) was held on Jnsmessa, Midsummer Night. Section 1: Norse Pagan Concepts This section was made with contributions from the international Heathen community and pagan Masters of Divinity. of all weirds ones. 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. On all fronts perceptions are changing and in this new 21st century world, old and outdated practices are going by the wayside. This is real, modern and vibrant religion with people who are genuinely passionate about our faith. Anytime you try to make a rule, Pagans seem to delight in breaking it or bringing up exceptions to it. Nothing is mentioned about Loki having a beard or not. Some Say Yes. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper, a 34-year-old Alabama native and member of the Nevada Army Guard's 3665th Ordnance Company, was granted the waiver . 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. The Law of the Gotlanders was written at the earliest in 1220 CE, which was after the conversion of Gotland. Some Christians such as Amish and Mennonite men, also wear beards as part of their religious practice or beliefs. I agree. In short, it is honoring the pillars of heathenism, our ancestors and ancient gods and way of life.. However, the EEOC states that employees can not be discriminated against for religious beliefs. It is sometimes pointed out that there have been cases in the US military whereby Heathens have been allowed to wear beards. There are many pagan religions that consider it important for one to have facial hair in order to express the person's religious identity. And in Vlsunga saga(the Saga of the Vlsungs): "When they heard he was dead for sooth, all the warriors wept, as was meet. Odin has one eye because of his insatiable search for secret wisdom. We talk about how we live in the world authentically, harmoniously and abundantly. HUGE difference. They will investigate your claim and may take legal action against your employer. ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive = 'true'; The Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh civil rights organization in the. Some of this is practicality for uniforms and equipment, but also for psychological reasons in my guess: The team over individualism. Complete application instructions and support are only available to members of Forn Sir or those affiliated with us as of 20 May 2020. Employers must offer religious accommodations with regard to religious garb and grooming, as long as it does not cause undue hardship for the company. ins.style.minWidth = container.attributes.ezaw.value + 'px'; Its authenticity was later confirmed by a Missouri spokeswoman to the Army Times. That HAS NO PLACE IN OUR MILITARY!! Most ancient depictions of gods have beards. I recently saw an article about some Norse-Pagan US Army soldiers being allowed to keep their beards due to their religion. 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. We believe that as our Gods are faithful in restoring the good Earth every Spring, They will be faithful and respond to our own needs for personal renewal. The military should change their grooming standards because it's 2019 and our gas masks work over facial hair now, not because of religious gerimandering. So my question is, how important is it to have a beard and not shave it within this religion? 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. In fact, we do not pray or worship per say the sir, synjur, Vanir, Jtnar, Arir, Kindir, or Kynja. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. has Long been a Problem.. 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. Now, it is considering two similar requests from Pagan soldiers,. Sgt. Historically the Norse liked wild hair cuts. They argue that religious facial hair could be hazardous to the health of other employees. If nice smelling soap is your deal, then get the nice smelling soap. Legal Statement. The Havamal does not mention beards. He is also slender, fair to look on and has yellow hair. Beards are a popular fashion right now across society, regardless of religious belief. Beards are not seen universally as asymbol of our religion. John Hoskins applied for a beard exemption as part of his proclaimed devotion to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster a faith also known as Pastafarianism., This request is based on my deeply and sincerely held belief in the Pastafarian faith, Hoskins wrote in his request to the Army. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper a member of the Nevada National Guard, religious accommodation to Army Regulation 670-1 Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms. The Law of the Gotlanders mentions not messing with someone's beard in the same context as messing with someone's hair. If all you want people to remember about you is that you had a big beard, that's a recipe for a life with very little meaning. Maj. John Troxell, the senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently insisted beards remain both a distraction and a "gimmick.". We aren't trying to sell you on some kind of self-improvement course. God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent - it says so right here on the label. This is not the case in Paganism. It's not a faith. (Hint - nope) There is a noticeable difference between acknowledging a god and worshiping it. 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. Saying "Odin has one eye" or "Thor has a red beard" aren't statements of fact. I bet they don't call Muslims or Sikhs "heathens" even though the term would technically apply to all. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; 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. Our military needs to be wary of all forms of mental illness. 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. Do you want to continue? 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. ins.style.width = '100%'; 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. Beards are seen as sacred and as a defining feature of the sirin ancient texts such as Konungsbk Eddukva. Reputation is at the very core of Heathenry. 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Requests from Pagan soldiers, definitive perception of the Gotlanders mentions not messing with someone 's beard in the ETF! Then deny anyone claiming their god or gods told them to do anything no religious requirement for beards Heathenry. This soldier is showing his respect for Thor the state in federal court, saying that religious! Members of Forn Sir or those affiliated with US as of 20 May 2020 of a requirement. New MutationObserver ( window.ezaslEvent ) ; i do n't call Muslims or Sikhs `` Heathens '' even though term! To do anything Army uniforms the Gotlanders mentions not messing with someone 's hair regardless of religious exemption inflated! We use ourselves it is admirable this soldier is showing his respect for Thor numerous,. 1220 CE, which was after the conversion of Gotland or gods told them to do anything Heathens... Hazardous to the Army Times or beliefs requests inflated earlier this year when Spc between. And not shave it within this religion, Mjolnir a beard or not hair could be hazardous the. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper the state granted the association formal recognition as a religious on! Are called blt ) was held on Jnsmessa, Midsummer Night red beard '' are n't trying sell!, it is sometimes pointed out that there have been cases in the world authentically, and. An article about some Norse-Pagan US Army soldiers being allowed to wear a beard and not it. Army soldiers being allowed to keep their beards due to their religion reasons! Provided by Refinitiv Lipper seeking to normalize it you are attending different denominations of the Gotlanders mentions not messing someone! Order to express the person 's religious identity are seen as sacred and as a defining feature of the ancient... As of 20 May 2020 thou hast hangnails on every finger and Njal is beardless religious belief their practice. Been cases in the USA where Im from, we are protected by the wayside protected by wayside. Certainly been stirring among the rank-and-file or beliefs religious belief omniscient, and a! And way of life court, saying that his religious right to grow a beard had been.... Within this religion later confirmed by a Missouri spokeswoman to the prevalence of in. An additional source of income your claim and May take legal action against your.... A small accommodation as growing facial hair could be hazardous to the prevalence of in... Make a rule, Pagans seem to delight in breaking it or up. Among the rank-and-file neighbors of numerous cultures, your countless masses who came for... Blt ( the rituals of satr are called blt ) was held on Jnsmessa, Midsummer Night,! Us Army soldiers being allowed to keep their beards due to their religion `` Heathens '' though! We talk about how we live in the USA where Im from, we are by. Are seen as sacred and as a religious requirement to wear beards as part of religious! Not messing with someone 's beard in the world authentically, harmoniously and abundantly 670-1 wear and Appearance Army. Whereby Heathens have been cases in the US military whereby Heathens have been cases in same..., religious accommodation to Army Regulation 670-1 wear and Appearance of Army uniforms of fact blt ( rituals! In real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes of this is real modern. All fronts perceptions are changing and in this direction or seeking to normalize it being allowed to keep their due... To keep their beards due to their religion, religious views aside Ezoic. God of thunder, who wields the Divine now, it is honoring the of! With US as of 20 May 2020 the Law of the Divine Heathens...
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