Update:Scroll to the bottom to read a statement from Rep. Atkins's office denying it's a joke
Bluestem is inclined to believe that the Kensington Runestone is a classic prank, not that there's anything wrong with that. We appreciate a good prank as much as anyone.
Others take it quite seriously, believing that either Christianized Vikings or Knights Templar (Cistercian Templars) left it in what is now Solem Township in Douglas County.
The Runestone Museum in Alexandria doesn't take a side. Douglas County's Kensington Rune Stone Park has created a park of the Ohman homestead farm where the stone was left and discovered.
The Kensington Rune Stone Park Foundation's guidelines mandate that all opinions be taken into account about the object that made the farm famous (or infamous).
It's thus appropriate that a bipartisan group of state representatives introduced HF3327 on April Fools Day, a bill that would designate the county park as a historical site. Whether the rune stone is genuine or fake, it's become part of Minnesota's history, and the question of the authenticity has great value for teaching older students about historical research methods.
Of the 15 original sponsors of the bill, 11 have "son" or "sen," in their surnames, so it's a Scandinavian-Minnesotan heritage thing too. We have always suspected that Bly guy of being Norwegian-American as well.
We don't know if any of the authors are Goths, but the New Apostolic Reformation-connected Generals International's Minnesota Root 52 Prayer Guide warns everyone not to pray to any false gods involved, and in August 2010, self-proclaimed NAR intercessors traveled via motorhome to Alexandria to purge the curses they thought the stone's alleged connection to free-masons, Templars and giants entailed:
It has been authenticated that Vikings from Norway, who came to this Continent in 1362, placed a 200-pound stone in the ground that had markings called 'runes' carved in it. It has also been discovered that this group was associated with the Knights Templar who are a part of Freemasonry. Our first stop in Alexandria was at the museum where the Kensington Rune stone is on display. Alexandria is also home to a 28 foot statue, a symbol of Viking pride, called Big Ole who carries a shield that reads "Alexandria the birthplace of America" and is now standing in a small park across the street from the museum. An intercessor from Alexandria who previously had been in the local Chamber of Commerce repented, and asked forgiveness, for erecting this giant idol to stand over Alexandria. Another intercessor that had lineage of 33 degree Freemasonry also repented for this idolatry. The Lord revealed that we were to apply the Blood of Jesus to the ancient "ley lines" that are connecting Minnesota to Norway and linked directly to both the Rune Stone and "Big Ole". Karen Krueger was able to contact Apostle Jan-aage Torp in Oslo, Norway by cell phone and ask him to be a part of that repentance and prayer time. Since the Kensington Runestone is known to have been placed near Alexandria as a marker, which laid claim to the Continent of North America, we felt it was the timing of God that we were able to contact Apostle Torp to be a part of this repentance and to release blessings over this state and Nation. . . .
Uffda.
UPDATE: Representate Atkins' office has sent out the following state to media:
Stating that it’s no April Fools’ joke, state Representative Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) has introduced legislation today designating Kensington Rune Stone Park in Douglas County a Minnesota Historic Site. The Kensington Rune Stone, thought by some to be a medieval artifact placed in the heartland of America at the north-south continental divide as a land claim by 14th century Scandinavian explorers, has sparked controversy, curiosity, skepticism, speculation and scientific study for more than a century.
What it also should generate, Atkins, a small business owner and chairman of the House Commerce Committee said, is greater tourism and heightened interest in state history, immigration, geology, archaeology and legend.
“Whether or not one believes the stone’s runic message about a medieval Norse journey far predating Christopher Columbus, its lore is part of our state’s colorful history,” he said. “It’s thoroughly Minnesotan and its discovery site deserves official state recognition.”
Farmer and Swedish immigrant Olof Olsson Ohman found the Kensington Rune Stone in 1898 while clearing his land in rural Solem Township. The discovery site is the 193-acre Kensington Rune Stone Park, a Douglas County Park, and the homestead farm of the Ohman family. The historic site designation will complement the existing privately run Runestone Museum in downtown Alexandria, it will not replace or displace it, Atkins said.
Bluestem still suspects this bill is an ethnic pride conspiracy plotted by legislators of Scandinavian-Minnesotan heritage.
Photos: The Kensington Runestone (above); Big Ole (below). Fact, forgery or false idols? It's a free country.
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