Norse Mythology

[MaximiIian]

Now, as a member of S.I.N, I'm an atheist. However, Norse mythology greatly interests me, because, for a polytheistic belief system, it is very well thought-out. I mean, they even developed a system of cosmology, a universal geography, if you will, of their universe. The example wikipedia has of the nine worlds shows this:

And, above all, the norse gods are gods that people could easily identify with. They are honorable usually, but often succumb to thier emotions. They have flaws, like mortals do. Frick, they can even die, like mortals do. The norse gods are gods one could kinda understand and be on the same page with, along with the greek pantheon.
Plus, Valhalla owns as a heaven. I mean, the schedule of life in valhalla is this: gorge yourself' on mead and meat till you are stuffed, then fight to the death and respawn back at the mess hall. Repeat process until the world ends. That is an awesome afterlife.

So, let us discuss the pros and cons, the interesting and boring bits, and the weirdness and coolness of Norse Mythology.

[sephodwyrm]

Norse Gods are pretty much airheads besides Odin and Loki. I think we'd have a problem there.

[Britisocialist]

Isn't it all on the Ygrasgsdil tree

[God-Emperor of Mankind]

Isn't it all on the Ygrasgsdil tree

Yes, the worlds are in fact it's leafs.
Asatru is my favorite religion, if I would ever turn religous then that is the religion I would go to.
The more human gods is so much better then the boring stiff known as Jesus.
It is nice that it is making a comeback too.

[Ghoulem]

The stories are great! Tor is one great fisher, that's for sure.
Lot's of interesting gods, too bad their best stories and traits probably have been watered down with christian influences.

[Hookah Smoking Caterpiller]

I like norse mythology because the gods are mortal and vallhall is probably the best afterlife of any religion ever. also ragrorok is a good way for the world to end (better than global warming/nulcear war/asterioieds).

[MaximiIian]

Isn't it all on the Ygrasgsdil tree

More of like underneath it. The worlds are underneath the roots of the Yggdrasil and the Three Magic Wells.
I like the creatures in norse mythology, too. I mean, Tolkein's concepts of the elves and dwarves all came from norse myths. Hell, he even borrowed (stole) the name of an dwarf in norse mythology: Durinn.

[Zenith Darksea]

Well, Norse mythology is a little crazy. The boat that ferries souls to the afterlife is supposed to be made of the toenails of the dead, and as soon as this boat is finished the world will end. So the dead have to have their toenails clipped before being buried. A little wacky. But full of character.

[Ulf]

let us not forget the Wild Hunt .

A bunch of guys get together, gear up, saddle up, and ride around the skies screaming and a hollering for apparantly no reason what-so-ever.

[therussian]

let us not forget the Wild Hunt .

A bunch of guys get together, gear up, saddle up, and ride around the skies screaming and a hollering for apparantly no reason what-so-ever.

Sounds like a good thing to do for Summer vacation

[Erik]

I like norse mythology too, mainly because it's so violent.

More of like underneath it. The worlds are underneath the roots of the Yggdrasil and the Three Magic Wells.

I thought only the underworld was under the roots.
Isn't Midgard and Asgard higher up in the branches?

Tolkein's concepts of the elves and dwarves all came from norse myths. Hell, he even borrowed (stole) the name of an dwarf in norse mythology: Durinn.

As well as "middle earth".

[John Wayne]

Norse mythos is always interesting to me. Especially since I'm a fan of AMG, which is Norse myth personofied (Unlike Tolkein who only boroed from it).

If I wasn't a Catholic, I would definatly believe in the Norse gods/godesses. They are the most fun out of all!

[MaximiIian]

I thought only the underworld was under the roots.
Isn't Midgard and Asgard higher up in the branches?

According to wiki, the one I was talking about was just one of many interpretations:

The theory and diagram presented here only represent one possible interpretation.
* Yggdrasil (Beneath its roots are the nine worlds of the universe, plus three magic wells)

Though yours, I think, makes more sense.

[Kscott]

I like norse mythology because the gods are mortal and vallhall is probably the best afterlife of any religion ever. also ragrorok is a good way for the world to end (better than global warming/nulcear war/asterioieds).

Best afterlife? Chritians claim that heaven is a place of ultimate happiness for all eternity. Im sorry, but it can't possibly get better than that.

[Kino]

Deleted by user.

[MaximiIian]

Best afterlife? Chritians claim that heaven is a place of ultimate happiness for all eternity. Im sorry, but it can't possibly get better than that.

Hmmm...let's see...live in a place that is permanently partly cloudy, inhabited by prudes, and ruled by a tyrannical homicidal maniac (christian heaven) or live in a feast hall where you can meet some vikings, gorge yourself on food and mead, fight for fun, and bang some valkyries (norse valhalla)?
Yeah, I think I'd choose Valhalla.

[God]

I like the Norse creation story. It's much more interesting than this Adam and Eve nonsense.

Before the world existed there was a place with ice and snow in the north and fire in the south. When the ice got close to the fire it melted into a frost giant called Ymir and a giant cow. Ymir lived by drinking the cow's milk and the cow lived by licking the ice. Ymir's sweat turned into more giants.

When the cow was licking the ice, the god Buri was formed. Buri had children who became the first gods. The gods hated the giants so Odin, one of the gods killed Ymir and all of the giants except 2 that escaped.

Anywhoo, the gods used Ymir's body to make the world. Earth was made from his flesh, his bones and teeth became mountains, his blood filled the sea, his skull made the dome of the sky and his brains became clouds.

[Kino]

Deleted by user.

[Erik]

Best afterlife? Chritians claim that heaven is a place of ultimate happiness for all eternity. Im sorry, but it can't possibly get better than that.

Christian heaven sound extremely boring and the boredom lasts forever with no escape possible.
Walhalla is exciting and by the time it does get boring you get Ragnarok and you no longer exist.

Plus: Christian heaven is filled with christians, and they **** me off

[Tostig]

Best afterlife? Chritians claim that heaven is a place of ultimate happiness for all eternity. Im sorry, but it can't possibly get better than that.

Schopenhauer > A land of milk and honey.

Besides "If you're a heroic viking you might get to do this:" sounds a lot better then "If you're a virtuous Christian who sells all his worldly goods and suffers for other you might get to do this, even though Jesus hasn't returned yet:"