"Odin Fought, Christ Won" loses (I guess Odin wins after all)

[markus]

From our local paper, on the dispute of a monument on the public grounds of the Hjemkomst Museum, which preserves the replica viking long shipped sailed accross the atlantic a number of year ago.

"A disputed marker at the Moorhead-owned Hjemkomst Center will be removed once new wording has been drawn up for its replacement.

Nearly four months ago, Moorhead resident Chuck Wallace complained to the city about a marker at the community center and museum honoring the conversion of Norway to Christianity, reading, “Odin Fought, Christ Won.”

The stone memorial, which stands near a Celtic cross on the center’s grounds, shows religious preference on city-owned land, Wallace said."

So, I guess, at the end of the day, Odin wins this round. Check back in 1,200 years for an update.

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=48344

[DrWeird]

1. Probably gets his mythology from Xena reruns.

Isn't the Yule Log, ceremoniously burnt on the winter solstice to appease Woden, the direct precursor of the Christmas tree?

[htuttle]

3. Yes, regarding the Yule log/Xmax tree connection

But the Woden connection is a regional affectation.

In other areas, I've heard them called 'Baal fires', etc... The general idea is to build a big fire on the longest night of the year to encourage the sun to stay out longer. Very popular custom all across the Northern latitudes.

[markus]

5. In N'wawlins, we eat our Bourche Noel

but our acadian friends and family celebrate Xmas eve with tremendous bonfires to light the way for Pere Noel.

[wuushew]

2. Where is this?

The link requires a subsription.

On the face of I don't object to a informational marker since his conversion is a historical fact. However if Christianity is being praised at the expense of Norse mythology then it should be removed.

[markus]

4. Moorhead, Minnesota

Our sister city across the Red River of the North from Fargo, N.D.

They also have a large stave church on the grounds, but I have no objection to it as an architectural artifact. Stave churches were build by Scandanavian immigrants around the area.

We also have a very nice Ten Commandment's Monument of the same ilk scattered around the country in the city plaza between City Hall, the Library and the Civic Center.

[izzie]

6. Your from ND how did the boats get that far inland?

You must be pulling my leg.

[NoPasaran]

7. There'a a school of thought

That likes to pretend that the Vikings had settlements in what is now Minnesota.