Religious Content
The Vikings series on the History Channel has been an immense success. It has garnered hordes of new viewers, made notable actors household names, and given the world innovative storylines. One element of the show that has been touted heavily and generated much discussion is its religious content. Specifically, how it handles the history of Christianity and how it depicts the antagonism between Norse Paganism and Christianity.
The show centers on the clash of cultures between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons and their respective religions. The Vikings are Pagan and the Anglo-Saxons Christian, and much of the conflict on the series comes from this distinction. The Vikings are not portrayed as one-dimensional villains, but rather are shown to be a proud people who value their religious and spiritual traditions.
This treatment of religion is rare in television, since many programs try to avoid including religious themes, particularly those that could be seen to uphold certain faiths. That Vikings does include this factor can be seen as commendable and opens possibilities for discussions about the history of these two religions.
A brief overview of the history of Christianity in Scandinavia helps in understanding the conflict between the two religions in the show. Christianity was first introduced to Scandinavia in the 8th century, when missionaries from England and Germany brought the religion with them. It was met with stiff resistance, as Christianity was seen as a foreign import that threatened the native pagan traditions.
Over the following centuries, Christianity slowly spread throughout Scandinavia, particularly during the period know as the Scandinavian Missionary Period (1050-1150). During this time, missionary efforts were stepped up, and many people converted to Christianity. This period of conversion saw increased tensions between those who embraced Christianity and those who remained devoted to pagan traditions.
Christianity Versus Paganism in the Show
The Vikings series focuses heavily on this tension between Pagans and Christians. Many of the episodes feature heated debates between members of both religions, as they struggle to understand and accept the beliefs of the other. This serves to highlight key differences between Christianity and Paganism and offers viewers a glimpse into this age-old struggle.
The show also portrays the consequences of rejecting Christianity, with characters such as Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons being labeled as heretics and hunted down by King Ecbert and other Christian rulers. This serves to demonstrate the political clout of Christianity, which is often seen as one of the factors that caused the decline of Paganism in Europe.
Insight and Analysis
Many contemporary viewers can relate to the struggle between Christianity and Paganism on the show, in some ways mirroring the battle between atheism and religious belief in the modern age.
What is interesting about the series is that it does not seem to take a stance on Christianity and Paganism, but rather lets viewers form their own opinions on the subject. This neutrality allows viewers to make up their own minds, rather than being fed a narrative of what is right and wrong.
The show is thus a unique example of how religion can be treated in the media, providing a glimpse into the battle between two religions without taking sides. It can serve as an example to other shows, should they choose to include religious themes in their storylines.
The Prevalence of Paganism in Modern Society
Although Christianity has been the dominant religion in Europe for centuries, Paganism has never truly disappeared. In Norway and other countries, there is still a small yet vocal community of believers in Paganism, although their numbers are not significant compared to larger religions like Christianity and Islam. Nevertheless, the influence of Paganism can still be felt in the culture, particularly in terms of folklore and myths.
In addition, modern pop culture has embraced Paganism in recent years, with the emergence of books and television series such as The Mists of Avalon, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Game of Thrones, which all have extensive and intricate storytelling that contains elements of Pagan mythology.
This shows that despite being a minority religion, Paganism still has some presence in modern society and can be found in various forms.
The Influence of Paganism on Modern Beliefs
In addition to inspiring books and television series, Pagan beliefs have also had a subtle yet profound influence on many modern beliefs and practices. For example, many of the holidays celebrated in Scandinavia today have roots in traditional Pagan festivals. Christmas, which is technically a Christian holiday, has many Pagan influences, such as the use of holly and ivy as decorations and the Yule log, a symbol of the Winter Solstice.
In fact, many of the beliefs and practices that are accepted in Christianity today, such as the concept of Heaven and Hell, have their origins in ancient Pagan mythology.
Vikings as a Source of Education
The Vikings series is thus not merely entertainment. It can be seen as a valuable source of education about the history of Christianity and Paganism and their respective influences on modern society. It can help viewers understand the clashes that occurred between these two religions in the past, as well as how each has influenced the world we live in today.
Moreover, it can be seen as evidence of how television can be used as a medium to present historically accurate and neutral representations of religion, while still being entertaining and engaging.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Vikings series is a unique show that offers viewers an insight into the clash between Christianity and paganism in Europe centuries ago. It also shows how these two religions have had a profound influence on modern beliefs and practices. The show is thus both entertaining and educational and stands as an example of how television can treat religious matters with balance and neutrality.
