Pilgrimage, usually seen within a strictly religious context, can be more usefully viewed as a voyage motivated by emotion, a search for meaning and a craving to express one's community of belief at a special place. Therefore, the particular place is a location of spiritual union where pilgrims share transcendental experience and/or proximity to a divinity, human being or sacred event. Naturally, pilgrimage performed for religious reasons has a traditional character, but one should not assume mistakenly that sacred journeys will disappear because science and technology are expanding. Actually, our ?computer age? might increase spiritual actions and initiate an even greater longing for religious devotion. One of the main questions I will work on deals with this issue. A commonly prevalent perception still associates pilgrimage with traditional cultures and people in the ?Old World? of Europe. This shallow view does not account for the complexity of this devout act, which includes not only pilgrimage to conventional sites but also that stemming from various individual motivations....
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of the Term 'Pilgrimage'
- Different Functions of Pilgrimage and Turner's Theory of Pilgrimage
- The Phenomenon of Religious Pilgrimage
- Traditional Religious Pilgrimage
- Case Study: Canterbury, England
- Sacred Sites in Indigenous Religions and Pagan Traditions
- Case Study: Stonehenge and its Significance through the Millennia-Spirituality vs. Mass Tourism
- Pilgrimage in Pop Culture: Contemporary Versions of Pilgrimage
- Case Study: The Phenomenon of Pilgrimage to Graceland
- Civil Religions and Sacred Places of National Significance
- Case study: The World Trade Center-Spontaneous and Traditional Spirituality
- Traditional Religious Pilgrimage
- The Differences between Tourists and Pilgrims in Western Societies
- The Way Pilgrimage and Spirituality Have Changed in the 20th Century
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the multifaceted nature of pilgrimage, challenging the traditional view of pilgrimage as solely a religious practice. It investigates the evolving concept of pilgrimage in contemporary society, examining how it intersects with tourism and broader societal shifts. The paper analyzes the distinctions between pilgrims and tourists and how these categories have blurred in recent history. It uses case studies to illustrate diverse forms of pilgrimage, encompassing traditional religious sites, locations from popular culture, and sites of national significance.
- The definition and evolving understanding of pilgrimage.
- The relationship between pilgrimage and tourism.
- The diverse motivations and expressions of pilgrimage in contemporary society.
- The role of pilgrimage in shaping individual and collective identities.
- The influence of cultural and historical contexts on pilgrimage practices.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central question of the paper: how the nature of pilgrimage and spirituality has changed, particularly within Christianity during recent history, and what this indicates about contemporary religious beliefs. It introduces the concept of pilgrimage as a journey motivated by emotion and the search for meaning, challenging the traditional association with strictly religious contexts. The chapter also highlights the apparent contradiction between the persistence of pilgrimage in a technologically advanced world and the seeming decline in church attendance, posing this as a key question the paper will address. The author intends to explore this through the analysis of four diverse pilgrimage sites.
Definition of the Term 'Pilgrimage': This chapter provides an etymological overview and general definition of the term "pilgrimage," laying the groundwork for the subsequent analysis. It sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the concept by examining its historical and linguistic roots, which will be crucial for understanding the nuances of pilgrimage practices across different contexts. The chapter functions as a foundation for the subsequent chapters, which will examine diverse forms and motivations of pilgrimage in contemporary society.
Different Functions of Pilgrimage and Turner's Theory of Pilgrimage: This chapter introduces Victor Turner's theoretical model of pilgrimage, a significant contribution to the scholarly understanding of the subject. It uses Turner's framework to analyze the different functions of pilgrimage and provides a key theoretical lens through which the subsequent case studies are examined. By grounding the analysis in Turner’s work, the author provides a strong theoretical basis for understanding the complexities of pilgrimage across different cultural and religious settings. This chapter bridges the theoretical and empirical sections of the paper.
The Phenomenon of Religious Pilgrimage: This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of religious pilgrimage, examining both traditional and contemporary practices. It explores traditional religious pilgrimages across various faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The chapter then shifts to discuss sacred sites within indigenous religions and pagan traditions, highlighting the diverse ways spirituality is expressed and maintained. It concludes by exploring the emergence of pilgrimage in pop culture and the significance of civil religions and sacred places of national importance. This wide scope allows the author to demonstrate the breadth and diversity of pilgrimage across different cultural and historical contexts.
The Differences between Tourists and Pilgrims in Western Societies: This chapter delves into the key distinctions between tourists and pilgrims, addressing the often-blurred lines between these two concepts. It aims to clarify the criteria that differentiate a pilgrim from a tourist, analyzing the underlying motivations, experiences, and outcomes of each type of travel. The chapter provides a crucial framework for understanding the nuances of pilgrimage in contemporary society, where the lines between these two categories are often blurred. This analysis adds a critical layer to the overall argument by clarifying the central concept of pilgrimage.
The Way Pilgrimage and Spirituality Have Changed in the 20th Century: This chapter examines how pilgrimage and spirituality have transformed during the 20th century, focusing on the impact of mass tourism and increased mobility on the concept and practice of pilgrimage. It analyzes how technological advancements and societal shifts have influenced the understanding and practice of pilgrimage, exploring the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in shaping contemporary spiritual journeys. The discussion considers the changing cultural landscape and its effects on the meaning and significance of pilgrimage. The chapter further contextualizes the previous discussions and introduces a temporal dimension to the analysis.
Keywords
Pilgrimage, tourism, spirituality, religion, sacred sites, cultural identity, contemporary society, Victor Turner, case studies, Canterbury, Stonehenge, Graceland, World Trade Center, traditional vs. modern pilgrimage.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Pilgrimage
What is the overall topic of this academic paper?
This paper explores the multifaceted nature of pilgrimage, moving beyond the traditional view of it as solely a religious practice. It examines how the concept of pilgrimage has evolved in contemporary society, its intersection with tourism, and the blurring lines between pilgrims and tourists.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the definition and evolving understanding of pilgrimage; the relationship between pilgrimage and tourism; the diverse motivations and expressions of pilgrimage in contemporary society; the role of pilgrimage in shaping individual and collective identities; and the influence of cultural and historical contexts on pilgrimage practices.
What is the paper's objective?
The paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of pilgrimage in its various forms, challenging traditional perspectives and highlighting its contemporary manifestations. It analyzes diverse case studies to illustrate the breadth and complexity of pilgrimage across different cultures and historical periods.
What theoretical framework is used in the paper?
The paper utilizes Victor Turner's theory of pilgrimage as a key theoretical lens to analyze the different functions and expressions of pilgrimage. This framework helps to understand the complexities of pilgrimage across diverse cultural and religious settings.
What case studies are included in the paper?
The paper includes case studies on Canterbury (England), Stonehenge, Graceland, and the World Trade Center, representing diverse forms of pilgrimage: traditional religious, indigenous/pagan, pop culture, and civil religion/national significance.
How does the paper define pilgrimage?
The paper provides an etymological overview and a general definition of "pilgrimage," tracing its historical and linguistic roots. It then explores the nuances of pilgrimage practices across different contexts, highlighting the evolving understanding of the term beyond solely religious connotations.
What is the difference between a tourist and a pilgrim according to this paper?
The paper addresses the often-blurred lines between tourists and pilgrims, analyzing the underlying motivations, experiences, and outcomes of each type of travel to clarify the distinctions. It examines how these categories have become increasingly intertwined in recent history.
How has pilgrimage and spirituality changed in the 20th century?
The paper examines the transformation of pilgrimage and spirituality in the 20th century, focusing on the impact of mass tourism, increased mobility, technological advancements, and societal shifts. It explores the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in shaping contemporary spiritual journeys.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview offers summaries for each chapter, including an introduction establishing the central question, a chapter defining pilgrimage, one explaining Turner's theory, another detailing diverse forms of pilgrimage, a chapter comparing tourists and pilgrims, and finally, a chapter focusing on the 20th-century evolution of pilgrimage and spirituality. Each summary provides a concise overview of the chapter's content and purpose.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Pilgrimage, tourism, spirituality, religion, sacred sites, cultural identity, contemporary society, Victor Turner, case studies, Canterbury, Stonehenge, Graceland, World Trade Center, traditional vs. modern pilgrimage.
- Quote paper
- H.-A. Theilen (Author), 2002, Places of Pilgrimage, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/11253
