Growing up, we're raised by our parents or guardians that instill certain values. Our social environment molds us into the people we are today. The people we meet, the experiences we have and our choices in life are the building blocks of who we are.
Many of us are raised and taught the values of different religions. We spend our childhood learning the teachings of what our parents choose and hope we'll follow as we grow older.
I was born and raised Catholic by my parents. I spent years between Catholic schools, Sunday school and going to Church every Sunday. As a young adult, my values are instilled, but a lot has changed.
I feel like I am a very open minded person. I have a huge belief in God, and a lot of the teachings are okay in my book, but sometimes I think about other things. I want to travel to India and learn more about the practices of Hinduism. I'd love to observe Buddhist monks and pray in their places of worship. I know I'm allowed to, but is it seen as wrong?
As a traveler, I want to respect others religion and follow the beliefs. What if I share some of these beliefs despite what I was raised?
Or, I think about when I'm on vacation and I know I haven't been in church for a while and I'd like to see a service overseas. Perhaps I can't even make a service because a Catholic institution is not nearby.
How do your beliefs influence how you travel? Do any of your beliefs conflict?
Comments (10)
I grew up learning Chinese folk religion. That didn't stop me from going to Salisbury Church, Cathedral of Notre Dame, and like a bajillion other churches and places of worship all over the world. I don't think there's anything wrong with cultural/religious sightseeing.
Nah. I'm Christian but I went to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and I loved it. No biggie whatsoever.
You need to learn some more about the world and other cultures. Just asking that question suggests you are not as open minded as you tell yourself.
nope not at all. if anything it makes you WANT to go "see how the other side lives" i would think.
Well there are two halves to this.
The people who want to experience the other side of the fence and those who want to convert others to theirs. I'm more for different experiences.I grew up in a Catholic family, and went to church/sunday school every week of my life since I was 5. Now that I've graduated, I went to church less often, since my faith in God is not strong, and even if he were real, why just make it seem like the only place hes at is Church?
Other than that, to get an insight and learn from other religion is fine, as long as it makes you a better person. The only things I take heed from a religion is the philosophy and its role in life on earth. Nothing about Creation or afterlife is that significant to me.
I'm interested in Buudhism or however its spelt.
I think it's essential to understand the beliefs and practices of other faiths in order to understand your own. Do you believe just because it's what people handed to you, or do you actually believe it for yourself?
I feel like religion is inseparable from culture, even in the West. Our religion has been shifting away from Christianity to materialism in modern times. You can see it in our architecture. The biggest buildings in Europe and America used to be churches. Now, they're skyscrapers - homes of political, financial, and private business institutions.
I have a massive desire to travel and see the world, to experience the world as others have for thousands of years, and I was raised, and still am, an evangelical Christian.
@Unfettered_Mind@xanga - You know the funny thing is, in South Korea most churches are office buildings, especially around Seoul.
It's also a very interesting thing to see how people practice the same religion in different countries. I've seen a Buddhist services differ from China, Japan, and South Korea. I also went to a nondenominational church in the US, and got to see a Baptist service in Japan, and a Presbyterian one in Korea. Despite the fact that they are all the same religions (although Buddhism can be debatable as each practice differs in each sect) each country has its own flavor to them.
Hindus CANNOT be converted, just born. I don't know if they would have a problem teaching you about their religion, but I thought that was an important note.
i understand where your coming. you want to worship but dont wanna offend someone of has different beliefs while your on their territory. i know some people aren't as open minded as others, but i guess just as long as your following their customs and your not cursing on their beliefs, they'll pay you no mind. if they have love for their religion and you show interest, then they'll welcome you with open arms if they really follow the words of their faith.
i'm undecided about religion. it's still a work in progress for me. i consider my self agnostic because in the book thats where i fit the bill. i know they're something great out there but i dont know what. i wanna find it on my own terms because in the end its me who will find that spirituality everyone talks about.