Atheist walks the Camino

[Deleted member 3000]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... st-dilemma

 

[sillydoll]

I saw this article - the dozens of comments were more entertaining!

 

[fraluchi]

I saw this article - the dozens of comments were more entertaining!

Indeed. What the writer mixed up is the term "pilgrimage".
According to Wikipedia, "A pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey in to someone's own beliefs."
The self-inflicted label "atheist" should be explained in the last minutes of the person's life (when supposedly still able to do so). That our "God", "Creator", "Great Architect" have mercy :cry:

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Yes! I loved the comment which said that someone writing for the Guardian could turn anything into a moral dillema

Some of the article is just wrong:

"This is where my ethical problem arises. While the Camino is frequented by people of all faiths and none, it is generally accepted that the credencial should be signed by a representative of the Catholic church – usually your local priest, who can send the pilgrim on her way, vouching for her character. But being not only an atheist, and one who is not even baptised, I don't feel comfortable asking for a Catholic priest (in London, no less – which one would I even choose?) to sign my credencial."

This is just a myth. Medieval pilgrims carried letters often from priests attesting to their bona fides as pilgrims and seeking their safe conduct. These letters are the distant relatives of the modern credenciales or pilgrim passports. Very rarely nowadays people write to the Pilgrims' Office asking if such a letter is necessary or if their credencial needs to be signed or stamped by a priest at the outset. The answer is that this is absolutely NOT required.

Next ethical question:

"This dilemma brought more questions to mind. If a fellow pilgrim starts a conversation, at which point should I divulge my lack of faith? And when I do, won't it offend believers to share a holy trail with someone who doesn't share their devotion?"

Answer: many will agree with you and EVERYONE will wish you "buen camino"

Finally there is the hoary old question of what is a pilgrimage and what makes a pilgrim. The Confraternity of St James says about the credencial:

"It presupposes that the bearer is making the pilgrimage for spiritual reasons. This does not necessarily mean Roman Catholic and pilgrims will not be asked about their denomination, or even whether they are Christian, although of course historically the pilgrimage itself has meant Christian pilgrimage. Today and in practice, however, the credencial covers anyone making the pilgrimage in a frame of mind that is open and searching." http://www.csj.org.uk/passport.htm

The Cathedral of Santiago gives the following guidance:

"What is a pilgrim and why do people make the pilgrimage to Santiago?

Pilgrimage is time set apart from normal daily life in which people travel to a holy place. Santiago stands alongside Rome and Jerusalem as the third greatest Christian pilgrimage destination in the world.
Pilgrims on the way to Santiago have the opportunity for personal reflection and prayer as well as enjoying the fellowship of other pilgrims from many different countries. The pilgrimage is an opportunity for spiritual renewal and growth in personal faith."

So...there are few rules and specific definitions. The only real requirement is that we make the journey!

 

[soch]

Yes! I loved the comment which said that someone writing for the Guardian could turn anything into a moral dillema

Some of the article is just wrong:

"This is where my ethical problem arises. While the Camino is frequented by people of all faiths and none, it is generally accepted that the credencial should be signed by a representative of the Catholic church – usually your local priest, who can send the pilgrim on her way, vouching for her character. But being not only an atheist, and one who is not even baptised, I don't feel comfortable asking for a Catholic priest (in London, no less – which one would I even choose?) to sign my credencial."

This is just a myth. Medieval pilgrims carried letters often from priests attesting to their bona fides as pilgrims and seeking their safe conduct. These letters are the distant relatives of the modern credenciales or pilgrim passports. Very rarely nowadays people write to the Pilgrims' Office asking if such a letter is necessary or if their credencial needs to be signed or stamped by a priest at the outset. The answer is that this is absolutely NOT required.

Next ethical question:

"This dilemma brought more questions to mind. If a fellow pilgrim starts a conversation, at which point should I divulge my lack of faith? And when I do, won't it offend believers to share a holy trail with someone who doesn't share their devotion?"

Answer: many will agree with you and EVERYONE will wish you "buen camino"

Finally there is the hoary old question of what is a pilgrimage and what makes a pilgrim. The Confraternity of St James says about the credencial:

"It presupposes that the bearer is making the pilgrimage for spiritual reasons. This does not necessarily mean Roman Catholic and pilgrims will not be asked about their denomination, or even whether they are Christian, although of course historically the pilgrimage itself has meant Christian pilgrimage. Today and in practice, however, the credencial covers anyone making the pilgrimage in a frame of mind that is open and searching." http://www.csj.org.uk/passport.htm

The Cathedral of Santiago gives the following guidance:

"What is a pilgrim and why do people make the pilgrimage to Santiago?

Pilgrimage is time set apart from normal daily life in which people travel to a holy place. Santiago stands alongside Rome and Jerusalem as the third greatest Christian pilgrimage destination in the world.
Pilgrims on the way to Santiago have the opportunity for personal reflection and prayer as well as enjoying the fellowship of other pilgrims from many different countries. The pilgrimage is an opportunity for spiritual renewal and growth in personal faith."

So...there are few rules and specific definitions. The only real requirement is that we make the journey!

As always Johnny Walker's response is spot on. He should submit this to 'The Guardian' soonest.
soch

 

[Deleted member 3000]

From the Pilgrim Office website:

Finally, one of the pages contains the following directions for use:

This Credencial is only intended for use by those pilgrims who will walk, go on horseback or cycle and who desire to make the pilgrimage with a Christian motivation or at least in the spirit of searching. It is intended to identify the pilgrim. Therefore the issuing organisation must be a parish, a confraternity, Association of the Amigos of the Camino to Santiago and the like. The Credencial bestows no rights on the pilgrim. It has two practical purposes: admission to those albergues which offer Christian hospitality along the way; and to obtain the Compostela from the Cathedral in Santiago which certifies the pilgrimage has been completed.
The Compostela is only issued to those who have made the pilgrimage with a Christian motivation: devotonis affectul vel voti pietatis causa – motivated by devotion, a vow or piety.
The Compostela is also only issued to those who arrive at the Tomb of the Apostle having travelled on foot or on horseback the last 100kms, or 200kms by bicycle.
The Pilgrim Credencial can only be issued by the Church through its own structures: Dioceses, parishes, confraternities or other bodies authorised by the Church. This is the only way the Credencial can be obtained from the S.A.M.I. Cathedral of Santiago (Jornadas sobre el Año Santo: noviembre 1993).
Albergues provide simple accommodation. They do not receive grants for their upkeep and need to be sustained, cleaned and maintained. This is achieved through the contributions of pilgrims.
Organised groups with a support vehicle or on bicycles are asked to find alternative accommodation from the pilgrim albergues.
The bearer of the Credencial accepts these conditions.

The writer did not even have to leave her computer to get accurate information.

 

[chris m]

Guardian ? That says it all for me !

 

[sillydoll]

The late Canon Genaro Cebrián wrote that the Compostela is no longer a document awarded as atonement for sins. However, to be granted the Compostela "it is necessary to confess a religious faith. Pilgrims are not asked about their faith, whether they are Catholics, Buddhists or Islamists. We only ask that the reason is religious", he added.
Therefore, atheists and agnostics can only aspire to an alternative “welcome” document. He refused to give the Queen a Comppstela for failing to meet the requirements.
Queen Sofia visited a few years ago years ago after travelling a few kilometres accompanied by members of the Royal Guard. At the end of their journey they requested the 'Compostela' for her Majesty. But Cebrián refused because they had not fulfilled the requirements, so they were offered a souvenir certificate instead."

 

[dougfitz]

Therefore, atheists and agnostics can only aspire to an alternative “welcome” document.

Oh dear. Strictly, agnostics deny that the existence of a supreme being can be known. What they choose to believe is a quite different matter. If they do choose to believe, and they meet the other requirements, they have just as much 'right' to a compestela as anyone.

Regards,