Ep. 30: Did Norse Religion Exist? Authenticity & Religious Adjacency with Adrian Johansen Rinde

What is religion? Originally, Viking Era Scandinavians had no concept of "religion" as we understand it, and yet it is their supposed religiosity that most profoundly shapes our understanding of who they were. What do we actually mean when we say this word, and which preconceptions are we imposing on the ancient mind by using it? Are there religious aspects to our own culture that we don't even acknowledge as such? In this episode I am joined by scholar of Religious Didactics at the University of Stavanger, Norway, and one half of the Black Metal two-piece Dødsengel, Adrian Johansen Rinde for a discussion on religion, authenticity, and tradition (both upper and lower case).