Moral/Ethical Question

[kalilileth]

I am considering making a pilgrimage of reparation to Santiago and then on to the Alhambra and finishing at Saintes Maries de la Mer at the shrine of Kali Sara.

My only concern is that I do not want to buy into any form of discriminatory tradition against any religious or cultural belief - especially anti-Muslim or anti-Roma.

What are the feelings of those who have travelled the Camino about this please?

[HuskyNerd]

There is plenty of anti-Moorish iconography along the Camino, I'm afraid. Statues and paintings of Santiago Matamoros (St James the Moor-killer) could certainly be offensive to a Muslim, and they litter the Camino from start to finish. Scholars suggest one of the primary reasons for the establishment of the Camino de Santiago in the Middle Ages was the desire to lure Western Europeans to Northern Spain to assist in the re-Christianization of the Iberian peninsula. Though many modern Spaniards are secularists as in much of Europe most are proud of the Reconquista in which Muslims were pushed out of Spain.

Spaniards are apparently more inclusive of Roma than people in some other European countries. Contrary to their appearance in the movie "The Way," I saw no presence of Roma along the Camino Frances. We Americans are largely mystified by anti-Roma sentiment in Europe so perhaps others here on the Forum can comment about what you might experience on the Camino.

[kalilileth]

Thank you for your extremely informative response. So now, if I am to travel the Camino, I must seek a way to use these historical reminders of anti-Muslim sentiment, to make some small form of reparation.

Are there any Muslims in this group who might have ideas in this regard?

I have not seen the film which you refer to, but will find out more about it.

I think many Roma may be more "invisible" in America because of the huge variety of other cultures and traditions settled there - they are maybe seen as just another "minority group"...until, of course, the "G" word is used - then all the negative stereotypes re-emerge, even amongst those people who have a reputation for being anti-racist. I saw a number of episodes of the "Dr. Phil" show which were extremely racist and negative about Roma. They seemed very ignorant of the culture, tradition and history of persecution and would never dare say many of the things that were said about the Roma if they were discussing members of the Jewish faith or those of African origin.

[Lipka149]

I am considering making a pilgrimage of reparation to Santiago and then on to the Alhambra and finishing at Saintes Maries de la Mer at the shrine of Kali Sara.

My only concern is that I do not want to buy into any form of discriminatory tradition against any religious or cultural belief - especially anti-Muslim or anti-Roma.

What are the feelings of those who have travelled the Camino about this please?

Hi kalilileth -

The purpose of your walk, concern about tradition, and question regarding feelings leave much to be guessed at, but I will try to share in the spirit that I believe you ask.

First of all, I would distinguish between "feelings" and "judgments". Feelings are neither right nor wrong, but conclusions, i.e., judgments, drawn from them can certainly lead to actions that have good/bad consequences. My "feelings" about the traditions and cultures as I walked the Camino ran the gamut from abject amazement, to incredible sorrow and touched on feelings of respect, sadness, joy, sympathy, confusion, disgust, betrayal, admiration, hunger, fatigue, pain, and many, many more. My feelings were heartfelt, and I was able to accept them as they came.

But being human, I judged many of the traditional, historical things along the Way in a negative (anti) way. Likewise, I found many to be very positive. Reflecting on these "judgments" taught me a lot about myself. The "buy in" I allowed was very much a reflection of my own personal history. The "buy in" I did not allow was a reflection of my own prejudice, bias, and intolerance. Whatever the tradition, I found I simply could NOT avoid discrimination. I don't feel bad about that ... I am who I am ... but it did make me think.

Which brings me to your opening statement ... that being your purpose for walking. While I cannot speak to your reasons for reparation, I can offer my own and hope that you find something to help you on your Way. Perhaps an example ... make of it what you will.

Along the Camino you will find many cairns, piles of stones stacked one on top of the other. These have been built by pilgrims that take a stone and press their cares and concerns into them as they walk. After completing this spiritual exercise, they leave them on top of the stones left by others. Having been freed of their anxieties, they walk on.

Well, I did the same. I was anti-Alan, focusing on the negative, trying to buy into a tradition that was supposed to allow me to leave my troubles behind. After a few times, I called that tradition into question, and decided to discriminate against it, deny it, allow what I was truly feeling to do the work of reparation. So I found a particularly pretty stone, picked it up, and began to press all of the joy and happiness and goodness of my Walk into it ! And I held on to it day after day after day. In fact, I brought it home with me and now it sits in my office, a single, small stone filled with everything good about my Camino.

Perhaps, dear kalilileth, the way to approach your pilgrimage of reparation is to find in yourself the tendencies to buy into any form of anti-discrimination, and seek the wisdom to use the "process of discrimination" to good effect. The Camino will give you countless opportunities to discriminate against harmful, hurtful behaviors. And countless opportunities to embrace healing, helpful ones. Discriminate well !

Be sure to check back in afterwards and let us know your thoughts.

Buen Camino !!!

[nathan]

the roma community in europe along with the traveller community in ireland and britain live parrallel lives to other western europeans.they are widely stereotyped as wils gypsies....a romantic nation....etc etc. Because thet are cast as outsiders who do now always buy into our "i pod/ikea" lifestyle they are demonised. On the other side of the coin i live in cenral london where large gangs of them trawl the major shopping ares pickpocketing and stealing. The exact same logic applies to muslims...info far as they also live parralell lives to most europeans...putting thier faith above possestions.i must add they do not steal from shoppers!

unfortunaltly history is written by the victors and so what is left behind is controlled by the winners...hence anti muslim in many parts of "liberated"spain

[grayland]

It is my experience that you will have to look to find
" any form of discriminatory tradition against any religious or cultural belief - especially anti-Muslim or anti-Roma"
It is not blatant nor does one notice the historical anti-Moorish iconography that Sandy refers to...unless you actually look for it and have researched the meaning of the paintings and statues.
There is nothing that will offend you unless you are determined to be offended.
Just my opinion, of course.
Ed