While the saga does not fully provide an opinion on whether Einar worshipped Frey, Einar’s attitude towards Frey does not have any effect on his actions. In fact, in the journal article “Ethics or Pragmatics; Fate or Chance; Heathen, Christian, or Godless World? (Hrafnkel’s Saga),” author William Sayers states, “Frey was not the principal god in pagan Icelandic worship...” (386). Since Frey was not a principal god, Einar had no obligations to glorify or praise him. However, even if Einar did not worship Frey, Einar still should have respected his employer’s faith for his god. And as a faithful priest, Hrafnkel had to punish Einar for his evident disrespect of Frey – it was his duty, not his personal will, to end Einar’s life.
While the saga does not fully provide an opinion on whether Einar worshipped Frey, Einar’s attitude towards Frey does not have any effect on his actions. In fact, in the journal article “Ethics or Pragmatics; Fate or Chance; Heathen, Christian, or Godless World? (Hrafnkel’s Saga),” author William Sayers states, “Frey was not the principal god in pagan Icelandic worship...” (386). Since Frey was not a principal god, Einar had no obligations to glorify or praise him. However, even if Einar did not worship Frey, Einar still should have respected his employer’s faith for his god. And as a faithful priest, Hrafnkel had to punish Einar for his evident disrespect of Frey – it was his duty, not his personal will, to end Einar’s life.