tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2841348142033509263.post4865398376045407924..comments2023-12-31T02:40:43.545-06:00Comments on The Norse Mythology Blog | norsemyth.org: Norse Mythology in Popular CultureDr. Karl E. H. Seigfriedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175244816952769358noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2841348142033509263.post-16809819335204394352013-06-10T10:34:40.798-05:002013-06-10T10:34:40.798-05:00Olaf:
This is a complicated (and fascinating) iss...Olaf:<br /><br />This is a complicated (and fascinating) issue.<br /><br />In the interactions between Odin and the giants, there is more of a sense of competition between tribes - without a "good vs evil" morality. Actually, in some stories, Odin comes across as less "moral" than his giant rivals. In these myths, the giants are simply a tribe of "outsiders" in competition with the Æsir.<br /><br />In the tales of Thor and the giants, however, the Thunderer is usually shown as protecting the everyone (gods and humans alike) from the giants. In these myths, the giants represent the destructive forces of nature.<br /><br />The myths do not resolve neatly into a dualistic worldview. Thor himself is sometimes terrifying in his rage. When a tornado destroys a town, is the tornado "evil"? I don't think that the Forces of Darkness have a moral tinge; they are simply destructive, and Thor is the one (we hope) will defend us from their rampages.Dr. Karl E. H. Seigfriedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175244816952769358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2841348142033509263.post-73968156128672713452013-06-09T23:19:52.826-05:002013-06-09T23:19:52.826-05:00'He is completely dedicated to protecting the ...'He is completely dedicated to protecting the world from the forces of darkness' -- KS.<br /><br />What context do you use 'darkness'? I remember you objected against referring to the contest of Aesir v.s. Joten as a struggle of good v.s. evil, and I understand. It is strictly a struggle of Aesir v.s. Joten. That jotten spawn will swallow the sun and moon, provides the final darkness of the struggle gives an opportunity to use 'darkness'. Just wondering. Regards, Olaf Knute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2841348142033509263.post-76305764036307915962013-05-30T10:33:16.379-05:002013-05-30T10:33:16.379-05:00Interesting that, after several years, the Sons of...Interesting that, after several years, the Sons of Norway will no longer rent their campground in Alta CA to the Hammer of Thor Kindred for its twice-yearly gatherings. These are the biggest regular Heathen events on the West Coast. Reason? Hard to pin them down on this, but it smells like simple religious bigotry. These people like to remember their heritage, as long as nobody takes it seriously.Steven T Abellhttp://www.stevenabell.comnoreply@blogger.com