Free Republic

An extraordinary — one might almost say unbelievable — industrial tribunal case in Manchester in March gave a rare insight into how attempts to accommodate “multicultural” religious needs at work actually appear only to apply to Muslims. It developed around a spat between Muslim employees at the Royal Mail and a member of the Odinist Fellowship (a group that apparently worships the old Nordic gods). The case — Royal Mail group PLC versus Donald Holden — was described in a document posted on the TUC website by Robin Jackson, the information officer of the Odinist Fellowship, who attended both days...

STAUNTON, Va. — A pagan religion that some experts say can be interpreted as encouraging violence is gaining popularity among prison inmates, one of whom is scheduled to be executed this week for killing a fellow prisoner at the foot of an altar. Michael Lenz is scheduled to die Thursday for the death of Brent Parker, who was stabbed dozens of times at Augusta Correctional Center during a gathering of inmates devoted to Asatru, whose followers worship Norse gods. At his trial, Lenz testified that Parker had not been taking the religion seriously and had to die to protect the...

Copenhagen - Followers of Norse mythology, who worship Viking gods such as Odin and Thor, were on Thursday officially recognised as a religious community in Denmark, the ecclesiastical affairs ministry said. The decision means that the 240 or so members of Forn Sidr, or Ancient Customs, will be allowed to celebrate legal marriages, receive donations and benefit from tax breaks. Forn Sidr initially sought official recognition in 1999, but that request was turned down. A similar organisation in Iceland received official status in 1973, while two other Norse cults in Norway were officially recognised in 1996 and 1999. - Sapa-AFP