Читать книгу Search Engines - Jon Jonsson - Страница 29

The Icelanders had kept their old Viking beliefs, but Christianity had influenced some during their earlier exploits in Europe. It was the summer of the year 1000, and a heated debate was raging at Thingvellir. A rift was now growing between the few followers of Christ and the supporters of Odin. It was suggested that all Icelanders be of one and the same faith in order to keep the peace within the small country. An influential Viking named Thorgeir was asked to propose a sensible solution to this most tricky subject. He lay under his animal hide for two whole days and returned with his deep insights. By that point, the Vikings had endured a few dark winters in Iceland, which had sensitized them to the lack of light. Thorgeir's proposal was that this new god Jesus was worth discussing and even adopting. His conclusion was that if Jesus was the "God of light," then he would come to conquer in the final battle of Ragnarok. In this battle of all battles, light would always be stronger and would drive out darkness. It simply made sense to follow the strongest guy. In other words, the Vikings should basically sign up with the winning team.