[JJ_BPK]

Posting for a friend..


It looks like if you use religion, A beard is GTG??

The Bar has been set:

Observant Sikhs and conservative Muslim women are now able to wear religious head coverings, thanks to a directive issued Tuesday that updates the Army's grooming and appearance regulation.

Sikh soldiers also are allowed to maintain their beards, according to the update.

Soldiers will still have to submit their requests for brigade-level approval, but the move opens up service to people who otherwise would have had to abandon cherished religious practices to serve.

Since 2009, religious accommodation requests received by the Army have largely been from soldiers wanting to wear a hijab or a Sikh turban or patka with uncut beard and hair, according to the directive.
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-...igious-beards/

SO, If you are of Norse lineage??
Don't be Loki...

SKEGG: THE NORSE PAGAN BEARD

Beards are seen as sacred and as a defining feature of the Æsir in ancient texts such as Konungsbók Eddukvæða(c link). In addition, beards are likewise traditionally associated with men and masculinity throughout Norse history, as highlighted in Íslendingasögur (Icelandic Sagas), including the very significant Njáls saga, but also Eyrbyggja saga as well as Færeyinga saga and Völsunga saga. Beards are further even historically protected by law under Jónsbók, Grágás and Guta Lag.

Overall, beards are an essential and fundamental defining features of any Norðmaðr, Víkingr, Heathen, and ultimately, warrior’s identity. The beard is the one characteristic of those who otherwise follow Forn Siðr (Old Ways). Beards are in fact the true expression of spirituality, masculinity, and what it means to be Heathen. Beards define the Heathen man.
KONUNGSBÓK EDDUKVÆÐA:

A distinct and defining feature of the Æsir (also known as the Norse gods) is their beard.

All Norse gods, but one, are described in traditional and sacred texts, as well as illustrated throughout Norse history, as sporting a beard: Baldur (Beauty), Bragi (Poetry, music, harp), Forseti (Justice), Heimdallr (Guardian of Ásgarðr), Hermóðr (Messenger of the Æsir), Höðr (Darkness, winter), Hœnir (Silence, Óðr), Meili (Son of Óðinn), Móði (Anger) and Magni (Strength), Óðinn (Ássinn), Óðr (Spirituality, poetry, passion, battle frenzy, and sexual ecstasy), Þórr (Battle, thunder, men), Týr (War, skies), Ullr (Archery), Váli (Revenge), Vé (Creation/wisdom), Villi (Creation/will), and Víðarr (Forest, revenge, silence).

A notable exception is Loki (Mischief, lies). Loki is the least favorite of all Æsir, and a Norse god typically associated with negative behavior as well as the dark side of humans. Loki is is known to have wrecked havoc among the Æsir, even being responsible for the death of some of them, including Baldur.

Loki is also known for having turned himself into a mare in order to be impregnated by the stallion Svaðilfari, eventually giving birth to Sleipnir, Óðinn’s 8-legged horse. An event greatly frown upon in a culture that emphasizes gender polarization and strongly stigmatizes feminization of men.

From any perspective therefore, Loki is the very opposite of what a man should strive to be. Loki also happens to be the only Norse god without a beard. Therefore emphasizing the association between beard and manly virtues in Norse culture.

Numerous references in Konungsbók Eddukvæða, the most sacred text in Norse culture and religion, actually reinforce the association between beards and masculinity as well as virtue.

In Atlakviða (The Lay of Atli) specifically, a direct association is made between beards and warriors, with stanza 34 stating “Long-bearded, bold, the warriors entered”. In stanza 11, another connection is made between beard and wisdom, reading “The wolf shall rule the Niflungs' heritage, O bearded sages”.

From an Æsir and traditional Norse god perspective, a beard is therefore always associated with masculinity and virtue, including moral strength, manliness, valor, excellence, and worth, while the absence of a beard expresses feminization as well as depravity and immorality.


https://norskk.com/norse-beard

link to copy of Konungsbók Eddukvæða

Not sure if the attached letter is GTG??