This Vikings review contains spoilers… We see this throughout the episode in moments that mirror some of the realities of our own time.
Some will always believe that mutual religious tolerance is impossible.
Why, he asks, are they fighting for the Christians?
Thus, he suggests, there is no way to reconcile the followers of those gods.
His next statement seems almost ripped from the mouths of modern-day zealots.
Religious tolerance is unacceptable.
One or the other must prevail.
The faith of some extends to martyrdom.
As television viewers, we are not as disturbed by the images as the Saxon nobles who look on.
Its important to remember that this ritual is not, according to the dogma of the Church, symbolic.
And Protestant and Catholic alike believe their salvation to hinge on the sacrificing of both human and divine Jesus.
Only our familiarity with these concepts makes them palatablein some cases, literally.
Ecbert faces an England that is still a patchwork of kingdoms constantly in conflict.
Neither can afford the luxury of being theological purists if they are to succeed in saving their people.
And thats going to be fun to watch.
