Christianity and Ethical Systems
the icelandic sagas are of course prime evidence on which
this question could be discussed (I will not say "answered"
because the issue will probably never be solved to anyone's
satisfaction.) Current saga studies is emphasizing christian
readings of the sagas, in particular opposition (as indicated
by their use of figures such as St. Olaf) to excessive violence.
Note the emphasis on "excessive", however. In Njals saga,
it is not feuds per se, but rather burning people in their homes,
which is considered a grave responsibility for Christians.
the same saga emphasizes the necessity of paying wergild even
to illegitimate children; one such, blind from birth, has his
sight miraculously restored to enable HIM to take revenge on
the fellow who refused to pay him wergild.
meg
> Ingegerd wrote
> > It is partially the ease with which, for instance, Mary, and, I assume, the
> > saints, incorporate such old ideas and beliefs that makes me wonder how
> > different Christianity really felt for ordinary people.
> On the ritual side, all the evidence suggests 'Not very much'.
> But what about Christianity as an ethical system? Is enough known, from
> Scandinavian sources for example, about the ethical basis of non-Christian
> medieval religion (I'm deliberately focusing on north-west Europe and away from
> Islam and other 'eastern' systems) to be able to answer your question from that
> perspective?
> Graham Jones
> Leicester
Margaret Cormack [log in to unmask]
Dept. of Philosophy and Religion fax: 843-953-6388
College of Charleston tel: 843-953-8033
Charleston, SC 29424-0001
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