HUMAN SEARCH FOR MEANING
The Norse religion came about through their life experiences of harsh and inhospitable lands. Their winters were harsh and long, food was nowhere near abundant and the competition for survival was brutal, among both animals and humans.
They found meaning though possessing a good name and protecting it; even if this resulted in violent and immoral actions. The Norse believers, used their religion to provide a sacred framework of beliefs (pillars) in which brutal and warlike actions were justified.
They used their religion as an aspect of their search for a balance between war, life, death, tradition, agriculture and regeneration. Believers followed the guidelines of Norse beliefs, strictly, in a quest for victory and wisdom. In the eyes of the Norse;
‘cattle die, kin die, and one must also die’.
However, one's reputation can continue to live on forever. To the Norse believers, to die leaving a good and noble name was more valuable than life. This is because if you died for glory, you were granted amanat access to the heavens, as well as an everlasting presence on earth.
This reinforces the relevance of religion in the human search for meaning as all of their motives root back to their faith.