'All Christians should make a pilgrimage to a holy place' (12)

?
  • Created by: JazzS14
  • Created on: 26-11-20 16:21

'All Christians should make a pilgrimage to a holy place' (12)

Advantages

  • Important for spiritual growth and physical and spiritual healing
  • Renewed energy to cope with the demands of life
  • Gain new insight
  • More connected to God and Christian community
  • Cleansed from sin
  • Lourdes -Healing, renewal, hope and refelction
  • Iona - Reconnecting with nature and God, closer to heaven, quiet and peaceful, better understanding of God and Christian faith
  • Helps Christian feel cleansed from sin
  • Grow closer to God
  • Experience a holy place
  • Opportunity to pray for something special
  • Time away form busy life
  • Learn more about the history of Christianity
  • See sites where miracles happened and receive special blessings
  • RELIGIOUS TEACHING: Luke 2:41-43 tells the story of the pilgrimage Jesus and his parents made to Jerusalem

Disadvantages

  • Money could be better spent on helping others
  • Shows poor stewardship (looking after the planet)
  • Some cannot afford to make pilgrimages
  • Renewal while on pilgrimage is only temporary and may quickly wear off
  • Spiritual development can be gained at home in prayer or during reflection
  • Reading about Jesus and about the great Christians of the past gives the same insights on pilgrimage
  • Spiritual development can also be gained through regular attendance at church and through daily Bible readings and prayer
  • RELIGIOUS TEACHING: Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, this shows how significant prayer is: 'He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father , hallowed by your name.....temptation"' Luke 11

Evaluation

In conclusion, I believe that it is not necessary for all Christians to make a pilgrimage, however, I can see the benefits and 'pulls' of pilgrimages. It should not be a requirement because spiritual development, and becoming more connected to God can be achieved in other ways, and some could say that pilgrimages are selfish, as they are costly, economically and environmentally. Since not all can afford to go on pilgrimages, it seems unfair and unnecessary as there are many great Christians who have not been on pilgrimages and may not feel the need to.

Comments

eirajeremy

Report

I completely agree with the author's viewpoint in the above paragraph from my location. However, some people may have different opinions about making pilgrimages and may consider it an important part of their faith. Nevertheless, it is important to respect everyone's right to choose and not to force or underestimate those who do not make pilgrimages.

Similar Religious Studies resources:

See all Religious Studies resources »See all Christianity resources »