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Published On: Apr 26, 2006 10:02 PM
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Published On: Apr 26, 2006 10:02 PM
Take Action Now! (Or Not)
I've spoken before about my feelings on the Nine
Noble Virtues, and I have a folder here that I dedicated to discussing each of
them. However, let me clarify and update my opinion on them, lest I look
hypocritical here.
The Nine Noble Virtues are fairly good basics in the development in a moral code. There are problems with using them in a heathen context, however:
1. There's no historical basis for them. They are a modern construction
2. That construction process was based on interpretations from the Sagas, which
3. were recorded in Christian times and are therefore from an alien worldview than that of ancient heathens; and
4. are not chronicles of normal individuals within society. The people discussed in the Sagas were noteworthy because they stood out from their society.
The Nine Noble Virtues clash with scholarly thought on the function of the individual within Icelandic society. For example, self-reliance in the sense it is used currently would have made no sense in the co-dependent societies of Northern Europe. This is why the punishment for outlawry was so harsh -- it literally put one outside of society, without that support net.
So, while I think the Nine Noble Virtues are an interesting modern constructed moral code, I find they have little or no function within heathenry, apart from possibly being a way to teach kids the absolute basics of heathen morals.
On to the rant...
Here's a link. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/4452/AR1.htm
Now. Oh, damn. Where to start?
I guess here's a good starting point. The Nine Noble Virtues are not the moral code of Asatru. Calling it so is an insulting oversimplification of the heathen lifeway. The sample letter states that the Nine Noble Virtues are the moral code of the Asatru religion, and this is patently untrue.
Secondly, the lack of historic value is an issue. There is, as I already stated, no historical basis for the NNV. The Ten Commandments have an historical value, and the argument for their posting is that they influenced the development of law in this country. How, exactly does one support the posting of the NNV on this score?
I'm trying to think of the reasoning behind this request. All I can arrive at is the idea that, somehow, having a moral code posted in public buildings provides some kind of government recognition of a religion. It doesn't, and two wrongs don't make a right. If the 10 Commandments don't belong on courthouse laws, then neither does any other religious-based moral code (regardless of how non-universal it might be).
So I put out my own, call to action. Write to Ms. Annakindt and ask her to please cease trying to misrepresent the moral code of Asatru. Explain to her that the Nine Noble Virtues are a modern construct and not an appropriate basis for a lifestyle in this reconstructed heathen religion.
Better yet, hope that the whole thing's run out of steam by now, since the page that mentions this is 8 years old. Nevermind. Crisis averted. Tune in next time when we rant about "Why don't people take down their old, outdated webpages?"
Some good has come of this, though. I've renamed the former "Nine Noble Virtues" folder as "Heathen Values." I'll try to expand the focus within those articles in the future.
The Nine Noble Virtues are fairly good basics in the development in a moral code. There are problems with using them in a heathen context, however:
1. There's no historical basis for them. They are a modern construction
2. That construction process was based on interpretations from the Sagas, which
3. were recorded in Christian times and are therefore from an alien worldview than that of ancient heathens; and
4. are not chronicles of normal individuals within society. The people discussed in the Sagas were noteworthy because they stood out from their society.
The Nine Noble Virtues clash with scholarly thought on the function of the individual within Icelandic society. For example, self-reliance in the sense it is used currently would have made no sense in the co-dependent societies of Northern Europe. This is why the punishment for outlawry was so harsh -- it literally put one outside of society, without that support net.
So, while I think the Nine Noble Virtues are an interesting modern constructed moral code, I find they have little or no function within heathenry, apart from possibly being a way to teach kids the absolute basics of heathen morals.
On to the rant...
Here's a link. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/4452/AR1.htm
Now. Oh, damn. Where to start?
I guess here's a good starting point. The Nine Noble Virtues are not the moral code of Asatru. Calling it so is an insulting oversimplification of the heathen lifeway. The sample letter states that the Nine Noble Virtues are the moral code of the Asatru religion, and this is patently untrue.
Secondly, the lack of historic value is an issue. There is, as I already stated, no historical basis for the NNV. The Ten Commandments have an historical value, and the argument for their posting is that they influenced the development of law in this country. How, exactly does one support the posting of the NNV on this score?
I'm trying to think of the reasoning behind this request. All I can arrive at is the idea that, somehow, having a moral code posted in public buildings provides some kind of government recognition of a religion. It doesn't, and two wrongs don't make a right. If the 10 Commandments don't belong on courthouse laws, then neither does any other religious-based moral code (regardless of how non-universal it might be).
So I put out my own, call to action. Write to Ms. Annakindt and ask her to please cease trying to misrepresent the moral code of Asatru. Explain to her that the Nine Noble Virtues are a modern construct and not an appropriate basis for a lifestyle in this reconstructed heathen religion.
Better yet, hope that the whole thing's run out of steam by now, since the page that mentions this is 8 years old. Nevermind. Crisis averted. Tune in next time when we rant about "Why don't people take down their old, outdated webpages?"
Some good has come of this, though. I've renamed the former "Nine Noble Virtues" folder as "Heathen Values." I'll try to expand the focus within those articles in the future.
Posted: Tue - September 6, 2005 at 02:11 PM