[Gocamino] USA Confraternity - OK to mention God?

[Diane Maxon]

I think it is important to make a distinction between spiritual and religious.  Many people who have a mistrust of organized religion can still consider themselves spiritual.  I think it is very difficult to make the Camino without a connection to something greater than all of us.  
   
  That, however, does not mean that you have to be religious or a member of any specific church.

Steve and Cathy Soud <thesouds at comcast.net> wrote:
  I, too, have noted the anti-religious (or non-religious) postings on 
some of the pilgrim forums. About 6 months ago I had quite an 
exchange with some folks who wanted to call themselves pilgrims but 
denied any religious aspect to walking the Camino. I respectfully 
suggested that a pilgrim is, by definition, some on a religious/ 
spiritual/sacred journey; otherwise it's just a hike. As you 
suggest, Richard, that doesn't mean they shouldn't go on the Camino, 
but it does mean that we misuse language by calling someone a pilgrim 
who has no sense of a sacred purpose to the walk.

Best,

Steve


On Oct 1, 2007, at 1:03 PM, Richard Ferguson wrote:

> 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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