Swedes up in arms as govt mulls potential ban on ancient ‘Nazi’ runes
The Swedish government is looking into the possibility of forbidding the use of Norse runes, local media has reported, amid concerns that the ancient symbols have been misappropriated by neo-Nazi groups.
Justice Minister Morgan Johansson is currently investigating whether or not runes should be banned in Sweden as a way to deter hate groups, a Swedish website Samhällsnytt reported. His is expected to make a recommendation on the matter by the end of May.
If Johannsson decides to move forward with legislation prohibiting the runes, the ban could potentially encompass all Norse symbols, imagery, and traditional jewelry.
© Global Look Press / Werner Forman
The proposal has enraged many Swedes, who see Norse runes as part of their shared history. For those who identify as pagan or heathen, the potential ban has been interpreted as an assault on freedom of religion, which is guaranteed under the Swedish Constitution. The Nordic Asa-Community, the largest heathen religious group in Sweden, has spoken out against any government efforts to police Sweden’s ancient heritage, arguing that “prejudices and misunderstandings are best cured with knowledge and facts.”
The religious organization has warned that banning Norse runes in Sweden would “wipe out a part of own history, culture and beliefs – and our freedom of expression.”
Former parliamentarian and member of the right-wing Swedish Democrats, Jeff Ahl, expressed similar contempt at the idea of such a ban.
“Our government advocates multi-culturalism, but we must not have our own culture. What the government is doing now is trying to censor our own cultural heritage and erase our roots. Fifth column,” he tweeted.
https://twitter.com/Jeff_Ahl/status/1130818854626713603
Dozens of other Swedes flooded social media with comments expressing disbelief and contempt. One Twitter user even noted that she had several rune tattoos, and jokingly wondered if the government would pay for laser surgery to remove the images from her body.
A petition against the potential ban started by the Nordic Asa-Community had more than 11,000 signatures on Wednesday. The group is also holding a rally in Stockholm’s historic center on May 24.
While Nazi Germany and contemporary neo-Nazi groups have used Norse symbols for their flags and regalia, today runes are most commonly found on any modern phone or computer: The logo for Bluetooth, named after Harald Bluetooth, a Danish Viking age ruler, combines the runic equivalent of the letters “H” and “B”.
https://twitter.com/Festo_US/status/828287368817942528
Original: https://www.rt.com/news/459997-sweden-rune-ban-nazis/
Are they gonna ban Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit too? Because Tolkien used those same runes to write his Elven language.
It is kind of like the "Iron Cross" and the "Swastika"from Nazi Germany. They were both taken from ancient Hebrew and not used any longer... I guess if you try hard enough, anything could be called "Anti,," something.
Erasing history is not the answer for social problems. Runes were there long before the Nazis.
To many symbol, how can one connected to hate speech...
Censorship is a defense mechanism existentially necessary to people incapable of coping with actual reality. They need to protect their minds from facts, and facing facts would destroy their world view.
They'd rather destroy the world. They don't even understand it's real, after all. The rise of censors in the world reflects the increasing influence of indoctrination and propaganda that has inculcated this dependence on fantasy in hapless victims afflicted since birth. As sad as the reality is today, it is impossible for that demographic to live in the real world and not eventually suffer the loss of their hallucinatory fantasy. The crushing of their souls on the day their illusions are washed away will be pitiable. Even more pitiable than they are now. Worse, it is likely they will blame the victims of the propagandists who did not comply with the disinformation as did they, instead of their actual oppressors, and given the degree of their dependence, and propensity for violence, they'll probably lash out violently.
Stock up on guns, butter, and steel. We're gonna need it.
Sweden's been erasing their history physically by melting down artifacts already. I expect them to do this too. Laser surgery for folks with runic tattoos is far more expensive than bullets, and fascists have been historically shown to prefer pogroms to peace anyway. If I had such tats in Sweden I'd move before I had to do so as a refugee from political oppression.
Thanks!