What is characteristic of the Viking religious worldview?
823180
we still have vikings?
887725
Vikings never wore pointed hats, so I can only assume that you are dealing with someone unfamiliar with their culture. In that case, the best response is to surge out of the door, with your shield before you, and overrun the enemy with sheer numbers. Put them all to the sword!
476350
The Scandinavian countries have been Lutheran since the time of the Reformation. It is still the state (official) church, much as the Church of England (Anglican.) This doesn't mean everyone is Lutheran, though. For example, the Muslim population in Denmark.
908427
race, religion, culture
481683
Truth is relative...but for me paganism is a respect for nature, the spirit world and peoples right to worship the Gods how the wish.
314379
Most all Pagans believe in it. Shinto, Wicca, Asatru, Animism, Egyptian Pantheonic Religion, Greek/Roman Pantheonic Religion, Maya, Incan, Aztec, Shamanism, and many other religions believe in it.
537925
I took a class on world religions. A Muslim believes in Allah (God). He is not a very personal God. He is a God of wrath, not love like the Christian God. They believe in "converting or killing" non-muslims. Christians believe in loving non-Christians and trying to show them the truth that they may believe.
129410
That is a very narrow view of "religion". Many religious groups, and their beliefs, do not fit your description.
397037
Paganism is a broad, eclectic contemporary religious movement that encompasses shamanistic, ecstatic, polytheistic, and magical religions. Most of the religions termed Pagan are characterized by nature-centered spirituality, honoring of pre-Christian deities, dynamic, personal belief systems, lack of institutionalization, a quest to develop the self, and acceptance and encouragement of diversity. Paganism is sometimes referred to as Neo-Paganism to emphasize its connections to as well as difference from pre-Christian religions.\n\nPaganism is a worldwide phenomenon and includes revived and updated ancient European practices and religions, feminist Goddess-worship, and religions inspired by science-fiction writings. For their inspiration, Pagans look to non-Abrahamic, ecstatic, and mystery religions of Europe as well as indigenous and magic-using traditions from around the world. Contemporary Paganism is interwoven with artistic, visionary, and libertarian traditions and emphasizes the free will of the individual. Many traditions celebrate rituals to mark transitions in the natural world (such as solstices, lunar phases, or a birth) as well as in a person's life (such as marriage or moving to a new home).\n\nWhile the largest segment of the Pagan population is Caucasian and middle class, Paganism cuts across all lines, whether racial, occupational, or class- or gender-based. Most Pagans, however, are avid readers with interests in ecology, creativity, and personal growth. Many come from the scientific, computer, and technical fields. Since it is not an organized movement, it is very difficult to determine the number of its practitioners, but it is estimated that there are between 100,000 and 600,000 in the U.S. alone. Some have termed Paganism the fastest-growing religion in the West.\n\nHistory & Structure\nPaganism as a movement grew out of the growing environmental awareness in the 1960s, though it encompasses some traditions from the Middle Ages and earlier. Since most Pagan religions are nature-centered, Pagans rethink the way in which we relate to the Earth. Rather than seek dominance over the environment, Pagans work to live as a part of Nature, finding a balance between the self, the biosphere, and society. Part of this rethinking goes along with the resurgence of Goddess-worship, which is widespread in the Pagan movement. Many Pagans look to the fertility Goddesses of old and find vibrant, dynamic models for ecological balance. The myriad Goddesses from the past also provide Pagans with a vision of powerful feminine divinity which is missing from other Western religions.\n\nThe Pagan movement has become somewhat coherent largely through networks, journals, and festivals. But it is not unified or structured - herein lies some of its greatest appeal. Pagans believe profoundly in freedom and the power of the individual. People are encouraged to explore paths that are most helpful to them, rather than conform to a specific code of beliefs. Through magazine columns and personal contact, Pagans participate in a dynamic marketplace of ideas, where each person is encouraged to contribute and to take away what is most appropriate for him or her. Rather than structuring the community around a particular set of beliefs or symbols, Pagans concentrate on process to create community. A variety of practices are used to fulfill spiritual needs, heal, or create change. Each person's particular technique is honored in the understanding that our aims are often the same. Most Pagans abide by some form of "If it harm none, do what you will."\n\nThere are no charismatic gurus in Paganism. Pagans do not seek to convert others. Each Pagan is independent and autonomous, even when working in groups. All value choosing one's own path and beliefs. There is no one spokesperson for Paganism.\n\nOne of the most characteristic elements of Pagan religions is their adaptability. In the case of nature-based religions, some will dif
730021
It depends upon your definition of Paganism and your idea at religion.  People like to have a community belief system - that much is evident by the number of belief systems this old earth has seen.  People like to add structure and milestones to their lives with religious rites of passage, etc.  \n\nPagans can be those who observe the old natural ways of times past or they can be defined as anyone who is not Christian, Jewish or Muslim.  Religion can be a spiritual practice as well as an organized church.  There is so much and so many shades of gray - why do we need to label and belittle everything different from ourselves?\n\nPeace!
16573
I think you're referring to Norse mythology, which was sort of a religion.  Here's a link to give you a good bit of info.
339017
Ahhh but there is much more to that than just saying "belief in one God" or "belief in many Gods". First, comparing these two views is basically viewing the Renaissance. Greco-Roman belief may have been pagan, but it believed that we had the ability to reason; or the ability to learn. In essence, the focus of faith was in the ability of mankind, particularly the capability of what the human mind could accomplish. Aristotle and his works would be the best example of this type of thought. \n In the Judeo-Christian view, reason is provided to us by God and it is faith in God that enables us to use our ability to reason. (If you want more explanation on this, you should really read Thomas Aquinas' work) Aquinas believed we had the ability to reason, but it was only through faith that men had the ability to begin with. \nFor more information, you could look at why the Renaissance was so important to human history. That should provide you with the answer your looking for. If you still are having problems understanding or not getting what you need from this, feel free to email me...tell me what you need, and I should be able to help you out. Good luck
441133
I believe in Christianity.  An excellent link follows that elaborates more on these 10 points.\n\n1. The Credibility Of Its Founder \n2. The Reliability Of Its Book \n3. Its Explanations For Life \n4. Its Continuity With The Past \n5. Its Foundational Claim \n6. Its Power To Change Lives \n7. Its Analysis Of Human Nature \n8. Its View Of Human Achievement \n9. Its Impact On Society \n10.Its Offer Of Salvation
382885
Vikings as the people up north?\n\nVikings were Norse warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, the British Isles, and other parts of Europe from the late 8th century to the 11th century.\n\nIn short they are the earliest raider/nomad/warriors.\n\nHorned helmets\n\nApart from two or three representations of (ritual) helmets with protrusions that may be either snakes or horns, no depiction of Viking Age warriors' helmets, and no actually preserved helmet, has horns.\n\nVikings had in a few hundred years colonized the coasts and rivers of Europe, the islands of Shetland, Orkney, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and even a short expedition to Newfoundland, circa AD 1000.
322418
I think santaria is a very interesting example of religious syncretism between west african beliefs and catholicism.  I am not Catholic but I think if someone is true to Catholicism and the legitimacy of the pope then they would have to reject Santaria.  That is just my opinion though.  I find it very interesting how much variation there is in catholicism despite the authority of the vatican.
500825
Narrow-minded, perhaps, rather than hypocritical. There are Christians who are open minded and critical (and I mean 'critical' in the open sense of the word) about other religions.  In any religion, I think, you will find those who believe what they believe. It is right for them, so they have no need or desire to look at other religions.\n\nI don't see Pagans or Wiccans going door to door with grimoires in their hands, inviting people to the local sabat, though. (Actually, that conjured up a very amusing picture!). Nor is there the Islamic equivalent of Jehovah's Witness (I suppose, if there were, their magazine would be called Minaret).\n\nIt's part of Christian culture to 'preach the Gospel', so that is the way they tend to be.  Pagans tend to have chosen their religion as adults and after some searching, so I think you will find less narrow-mindedness amongst them, plenty of helpfulness to an honest enquirer but no proselytising.*\n\nThe important thing to say is: Don't vent useless anger on people you will never change. You are doing your energy more harm than theirs.  To put it another way, believe what you believe in the assurance that it is right for you.\n-----------------------------------\n* I am appalled at the number of people - Christians and otherwise, who think that Paganism is Devil Worship!
644291
no, Christians, not everything is about you and your religion.\n-------------------------------------------\nThe Tree of Life is an important symbol in nearly every culture. With its branches reaching into the sky, and roots deep in the earth, it dwells in three worlds- a link between heaven, the earth, and the underworld, uniting above and below. It is both a feminine symbol, bearing sustenance, and a masculine, visibly phallic symbol- another union.\n\nIn Jewish and Christian mythology, a tree sits at the center of both the Heavenly and Earthly Edens. The Norse cosmic World Ash, Ygdrassil, has its roots in the underworld while its branches support the abode of the Gods. The Egyptian's Holy Sycamore stood on the threshold of life and death, connecting the worlds. To the Mayas, it is Yaxche, whose branches support the heavens.\n\nThe tree has other characteristics which lend easily to symbolism. Many trees take on the appearance of death in the winter- losing their leaves, only to sprout new growth with the return of spring. This aspect makes the tree a symbol of resurrection, and a stylized tree is the symbol of many resurrected Gods- Jesus, Attis, and Osirus all have crosses as their symbols. Most of these Gods are believed to have been crucified on trees, as well. The modern Christmas tree hearkens back to trees decorated to honor Attis, the crucified God of the Greeks.\n\nA tree also bears seeds or fruits, which contain the essence of the tree, and this continuous regeneration is a potent symbol of immortality. It is the fruit of a tree that confers immortality in the Jewish creation story. In Taoist tradition, it is a divine peach that gives the gift of immortality. In ancient Persia, the fruit of the haoma bears this essence. The apples of Idun give the Norse gods their powers, much like the Gods of the Greek pantheon and their reliance on Ambrosia. This aspect of the tree as a giver of gifts and spiritual wisdom is also quite common. It is while meditating under a Bodhi tree that Buddha received his enlightenment; the Norse God Odin received the gift of language while suspended upside down in the World Ash (an interesting parallel is the hanged man of the tarot). In Judeo-Christian mythology, the Tree of heaven is the source of the primordial rivers that water the earth- similar to the Tooba Tree of the Koran, from whose roots spring milk, honey, and wine.\n\nCeltic Tree of Life. The Tree was a central part of early Celtic spirituality.\n\nTo the Celts, the tree was a source of basic sustenance- a bearer of food, a provider of shelter and fuel for cooking and warmth. Without trees, life would have been extraordinarily difficult.\n\nWood from sacred trees had magickal properties, which was reflected in the Celtic Ogham alphabet, wherein each letter represents a particular sacred tree (modern Ogham divination is based on the uses and importance of these sacred trees to the Celtic people). Some trees provided food, some wood for making hunting weapons; others were sacred to the fairy-folk or to the Gods. In Celtic creation stories, trees were the ancestors of mankind, elder beings of wisdom who provided the alphabet, the calendar, and entrance to the realms of the Gods.\n\nTrees were also associated in the Shamanic beliefs of the Druids and other Celtic peoples with the supernatural world. Trees were a connection to the world of the spirits and the ancestors, living entities, and doorways into other worlds.\n\nThe most sacred tree of all was the Oak tree, which represented the axis mundi, the center of the world. The Celtic name for oak, daur, is the origin of the word door- the root of the oak was literally the doorway to the Otherworld, the realm of Fairy. The word Druid, the name of the Celtic Priestly class, is compounded from the words for oak and wise- a Druid was one who was "Oak Wise," meaning learned in Tree magick and guardian or the doorway.\n\nLong after the Druids of old have vanished into the mi