Some of you may have come across this already, but I found this news item rather amusing. Seems an inmate in a prison in Utah has sued for the right to practice the Asatru religion behind bars. Michael Polk, who is serving time for aggravated assault and robbery, filed the lawsuit against correction officials in federal court and accused them of denying him several religious items which he claims are necessary to practice his religion, which worships ancient Nordic gods.
Apparently the Utah Department of Corrections does not have a problem with the Asatru religion as much as the accoutrements required to practice it. It seems that a practitioner would need to have: a mead horn used for drinking wassail, a drum made of wood and boar skin, a rune staff, a sword and a reasonable facsimile of Thor's hammer.
Polk did inform them that at least Sahs Swords can be made of cardboard due to institutional restrictions. Hmmm....seems like a reasonable chap to me, willing to be flexible. I wonder if Thor's hammers can also be made of a substitute material, softer and less potentially damaging to other inmates' skulls than iron forged by lightening? Any Asatru followers out there care to comment?
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Comments: 14
Prisoners have too much time on their hands.
http://www.buy.com/prod/the-adventures-of-thor-the-thunder-god/q/loc/106/203515599.html
and get your own copy of "The Adventures of Thor the Thunder God", described as:
"Told and retold often and with great affection, stories about Thor, the biggest and mightiest of the Norse gods, have been around since the days of the Vikings. Here, illustrated with high drama and written with humor and skill, are ancient stories made accessible and fun. Full color."
Like that "great affection" part.
"Thor owns a short-handled hammer, Mjolnir, which, when thrown at a target, returns magically to the owner. His Mjolnir also has the power to throw lightning bolts. To wield Mjolnir, Thor wears the belt Megingjord, which boosts the wearer's strength and a pair of special iron gloves, Jarn Griepr, to lift the hammer. Mjolnir is also his main weapon when fighting giants. "
So, it appears that in order to use the hammer, one must also wear a hefty belt and iron gloves. I wonder if the authorities would object to THOSE in prison.
I do agree.... prisoners have too much time on their hands....
Angel