Pilgimages? (only those interested need respond)

[TicklingDuo]

No, no! I'm not talking about the annual spring pilgimage to NEST. 😛

The recent resurrection of an old thread topic got me thinking back to when I went on a couple of pilgrimages. Both were to a little village in Yugoslavia where the Blessed Mother is said to have been appearing for several years now. Recalling those trips and seeing some of the spiritual topics/comments from others here made me wonder if anyone else has ever gone on a religious pilgrimage of any kind. Care to share?

Ann

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Being a Religious Studies major, I have read many stories and seen many videos about people who have gone on pilgramages. Many of them return feeling much stronger and more at peace with this world and their lives on it. No matter the religion, it is a chance to find oneself.

So, if you are thinking of going on one Ann, I would seriously suggest it!

 

[Moses25]

Peace be upon Him...

LoL, Ann, this is indeed a great thread, although I was wondering what exactly "pilgimages" were until I started reading...😛

I was sort of born a Muslim, well, that is to say, I should be a practicing Muslim, but am not (I only fast when I sleep, ya know 😉).

Actually, I'm atheist, by personal choice, but Islam does require that a pilgrimage be undertaken to Mecca by all born Muslims, not just practicing ones.

I am esp. encouraged to go, you see, for I will be forgiven for my atheist ways and debaucheristic lifestyle, and perhaps will convert after I see all my "brothers and sisters" wailing and praying in one huddled mass (yikes!!).

Still, would be interesting to go, if only for educational purposes.

Saudi Arabia, anyone...?

 

[Neutron]

I Went To See

The Raiders play once. (But never got to play against them) That's as close as it gets for me 🙂


Tron

 

[TicklingDuo]

Being a Religious Studies major... So, if you are thinking of going on one Ann, I would seriously suggest it!

I didn't know you were a religious studies major. That's cool. Where do you go?

I loved the two pilgrimages I went on. They were very renewing for me. As far as going on another pilgrimage, that's not likely to happen in the foreseeable future. The two I've been on I didn't have to pay for since I was one of the organizers and we had enough people. If I DID have the time and money, I'd love to go to the holy land and/or Assisi. Since conditions in the middle east are not good, Assisi is more promising. One day! (I'm a Secular Franciscan. So, Assisi holds a special place in my heart.)

I do go on retreat on a fairly regular basis, though. (As a matter of fact, Drew proposed to me while we were on retreat together.) I find that just as refreshing as a pilgrimage. The point of both is to spend time with the Lord. We don't really have to go anywhere to do that. It just helps to get everyday stuff out of the way. 😉

I am esp. encouraged to go, you see, for I will be forgiven for my atheist ways and debaucheristic lifestyle, and perhaps will convert after I see all my "brothers and sisters" wailing and praying in one huddled mass (yikes!!).

Still, would be interesting to go, if only for educational purposes. Saudi Arabia, anyone...?

Moses, is it a tenant of Islam that those going are forgiven for past sins? I'm not that familiar with Islam...aside from knowing it's not the fanatical crap some make it out to be. I know that you refer to God as Allah and believe him to be just and merciful as we do. I'm aware of the fact that our early histories are very much intertwined with yours and judaism...Moses being a good example. But, I don't know much more than that.

The Raiders play once. (But never got to play against them) That's as close as it gets for me

LOL OK, now for the big question. Did you PRAY for them to win?
😛 Actually, I somehow think a nice deep sea sub ride would be a pilgrimage to you. I suspect that bubbleheads "find religion" real quick when at war and under depth charge attack. No thanks!

Ann

 

[Moses25]

Moses, is it a tenant of Islam that those going are forgiven for past sins?
Ann

Absolutely. There is a procedure that one goes through for absolution. If I remember correctly, you have to throw stones at the 7 demons/idols and then walk around the Ka'ba twice, begging for forgiveness.

You find a lot of middle-aged to elderly peeps going on this journey, absolving themselves, to ensure their place in heaven. What a crock!!😛

I'm just waiting for the e-version so that I can do it w/in the privacy of my own home...naked, while drinking a beer.

Heehee. 😛

Actually, Bis m'alluh iraqueman n'eeraheem.(God is most beneficient, most merciful).

Just in case...ya never know.

Cheers.😀

 

[TicklingDuo]

Absolutely. There is a procedure that one goes through for absolution. If I remember correctly, you have to throw stones at the 7 demons/idols and then walk around the Ka'ba twice, begging for forgiveness.

Actually, Bis m'alluh iraqueman n'eeraheem.(God is most beneficient, most merciful).

The procedure sounds like it parallels our (Catholics) formulas for the sacrament of reconcilliation in some ways...rejecting evil and asking for forgiveness. As a sacrament, we go to a priest to recieve absolution. Contrary to popular opinion, this is not that the priest forgives us. It is because it is good for us to hear and be assured of the Lord's words...spoken through his servants on earth. We don't have to go to a particular place, though we are encouraged to make spiritual journeys if possible. There are graces attached to doing so.

I'm forever encouraged to see how much the various faiths are the same. Though we see Him in many different ways, we do worship the same God. If we could just get our pettiness out of the way, we'd see that there is more that binds us than what seperates us.

Ann

 

[Moses25]

I'm forever encouraged to see how much the various faiths are the same. Though we see Him in many different ways, we do worship the same God. If we could just get our pettiness out of the way, we'd see that there is more that binds us than what seperates us.

Ann

Oh, absolutely, Ann. The three main faiths (Islam, Judaism, Christianity) all stem from the same stories, the same rules, the same beliefs, etc.

It is truly amazing how they get distorted along the way. Also, the concept of "us" and "them" has a wonderful way of corrupting the mind.

These are great points, Ann, you should continue (if you want).

Cheers.😀

 

[TicklingDuo]

The three main faiths (Islam, Judaism, Christianity) all stem from the same stories, the same rules, the same beliefs, etc.

While this is true, we can't forget the rest. The "big 3" may have more visible similarities. But, nearly every faith has some of the same basic tenants. There are some who believe in reincarnation. What is that if not another means of achieving perfection/purification/sanctity? Native Americans use inipi (sweat lodge ceremonies) in order to inwardly cleanse themselves. Many seek visions and other forms of direction from others around them.

All believe that the best road is one of peace ond personal holiness. Even the vast majority of those who don't recognize the presence of God (in whatever form) believe that. We are all headed for the same final destination. It's just a matter of how we arrive and whether or not we choose to stay.

Ann

 

[red indian]

Sorry.........

.......I,m not interested.

 

[Moses25]

Yeah, good one, Red. 😛

Cheers.😀

 

[TicklingDuo]

Re: Sorry.........

.......I,m not interested.

LOL No need to be sorry, friend. That's why the disclaimer is in there. I know that not everyone is interested. 😉

Ann

 

[red indian]

Well done TD!!!!!!!!.........

......who is it that dares suggest Americans dont understand sarcasm, irony or pathos?

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

First,

I've been to a couple of Raiders games. Never one in which they won, so it lost the religious appeal! LOL!

Umm...

Second,

Not every pilgrimage means to actually go anywhere. A person's "special place" could be the front seat of their own car, or their couch. I mean, one must not travel to the mid-east or to asia in order to grow closer to the god of their religion!!!

 

[TicklingDuo]

Not every pilgrimage means to actually go anywhere. ...one must not travel to the mid-east or to asia in order to grow closer to the god of their religion!!!

I totally agree, FT. We don't need to set foot out of our homes in order to have a relationship with our God...or a deeper one. The reason for bringing up trips specificly is pure curiosity. 😉

Ann

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Well,

I think a trip is a good idea for those who aren't able to distinguish between "a holy place" and "a Holy place." Basically the first being anywhere where history has held God, and the second being anywhere God is!

Some people will never understand. The whole world is His. So a church is no more his house than the local grocery store!

But then again, people have differing opinions!

 

[TicklingDuo]

The whole world is His. So a church is no more his house than the local grocery store!

Very true, FT. I'm not sure about other faiths. But, Catholic churches are consecrated before being used..."consecrated" meaning to set aside solely for God. So, I guess the main difference is that there may be fewer distractions there than in other places. But, again, we don't need a building (or any PLACE) to be with Him.

The other difference for me as a Catholic is that we (and I personally) believe that Jesus is also present in a physical sense within the Eucharist. But, that's another topic. 😉

Ann