09 Jan 2005
Intro to Asatru 101

Here's a nice little introduction to Asatru from an unlikely place, a site called "BellaOnline: The Voice of Women." Way too often Heathenry is perceived as a male dominated, warrior religion, which is not only untrue, but actually quite contrary to the whole thrust and meaning of our troth. Articles like this, though somewhat superficial and obviously written for "newbies" are a welcome and refreshing sight.

In pre-Christian times, all of Scandinavia and most of Europe was united under one faith, called Asatru. The word itself translates approximately as “belief in the gods” although it can also be called Forn Sid meaning “ancient way.” Like many other pagan belief systems, Asatru is polytheistic, believing in many gods and goddesses. They also do not believe in the concept of original sin, and thus reject the Christian idea that they need to be saved.

(link) [BellaOnline]

00:00 /Asatru | 0 comments | permanent link

Genetic HIV Resistance Deciphered

This is a fascinating piece, which prompted me to actually use the Border's gift card I received for Yule to purchase The Seven Daughters of Eve. I'd heard about the book, of course, but had never taken the time to seek it out and read it. I finished most of five chapters last night: and it's a really interesting read, with some fascinating implications for a lot of areas.

Being concerned with ancestry on several levels, both religious and professional (there's more to breeding cattle than putting a bull and a cow together in a paddock), I've got to say that I appreciate how research in genetics is solving more problems, and raising more new questions, than anyone could have possibly imagined.

Scientists unravel the mysteries of AIDS immunity, finding that ethnicity and heredity make some people resistant to HIV infection -- but only if they have the right genes. By Randy Dotinga.

(link) [Wired News]

00:00 /Technology | 0 comments | permanent link