[Gocamino] USA Confraternity - OK to mention God?

[Richard Ferguson]

For some reason, mentioning God seems to be offensive to some people, 
in the USA and other places.  I notice that especially on internet 
forums, where it is not politically correct to refer to religion or 
God.  Certainly there have been several popular books published 
recently attacking religion.

This was pointed out to me very vividly when I attended the pilgrim's 
gathering in Boulder.  Reading the internet groups, it seemed that 
religion was taboo, and hardly mentioned.  But at the gathering, 
nonsectarian praying was part of the agenda.

No, I don't understand the absence of God and religion from the 
Camino internet forums, especially since the Camino is to a religious 
destination and has a religious history.

I don't mean to imply that people who are not religious should not 
participate in groups, or go on pilgrimage.  I only beg a bit of 
tolerance on the part of people who are not believers or not 
religious.   Please don't bite off the heads of anyone who mentions 
God or religion, and try to refrain from attacks on the Catholic 
Church.

My two cents.

Richard



>Hi Jim,
>"American Pilgrims on the Camino" is an non-profit association 
>formed in San Francisco, I believe, for the purposes of providing 
>information about the Camino, and support to past and potential 
>pilgrims.? But it is not a Santiago Confraternity.
>To become a Confraternity an association must apply for recognition 
>by the Archconfraternity in Santiago; such recognition requires 
>adherence to the rules established many years ago which 
>include?counselar support by a priest and recognition by a Bishop?in 
>the area where the Confraternity would be established. Once 
>recognized, (the process may take years), a Confraternity becomes a 
>member of the universal family of confraternities centered at the 
>Archconfraternity in Santiago. Their activities, facilities, 
>communication means and voice in the shaping of Camino actual 
>maintenance and future plans are far too numerous to be cited 
>here.... but, I think, they are wonderful.? I have never, ever, 
>heard of a Confraternity that has not felt that the requirements of 
>becoming one have not been worth it.
>The Catholic population in the United States is now larger than the 
>entire population of Italy.? The Catholic members in the U.S. 
>Congress form, by far, the largest identifiable group.? Five of the 
>nine U.S. Supreme Court judges are Catholic.... yet, there seems to 
>be some "political correctness" resistance to forming a 
>Confraternity in the U.S. because of its Catholic connotation 
>(whereas, in fact, they are pretty ecumenical and do not, in the 
>least proselytize) even although the largest number of Santiago 
>pilgrims from the American continent, by far, are from the USA.
>It sure beats me!
>I hope this answers your question somewhat.
>Hugs!
>Rosina
>

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