Bringing together prominent scholars in the sociology of religion, this collection of essays offers a framework for understanding the transition from the essentially penitential purposes of the medieval pilgrimage, to the rise of the varied spiritualities of contemporary religious tourism. Covering over 1, 500 years of religious travel, these essays explore the forms of expression and experience which we must engage reflectively to better understand the idea of pilgrimage and religious tourism as an important aspect of religious affirmation. This unique volume sheds light on the transformation of the traditional religious pilgrimage into a tourist activity and examines the influence of modern culture, technology, and secularization on spiritually motivated travel.
The editors conclude that a sharp distinction between pilgrimage and religious tourism is historically unjustified. While the purposes of such travel have changed over time, they remain a part of a larger religio-cultural context, offering avenues for religious encounter, just as pilgrimage in earlier eras permitted the development of various secular dimensions. Covering such diverse topics as Pagan pilgrimage and Postmodern Traditionalism, medieval pilgrimage and disaster site visitation, the authors provide an interesting look at an often misunderstood phenomenon.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Preface
Homo viator: From Pilgrimage to Religious Tourism via the Journey by Luigi Tomasi
The Holy Man as Traveler and Travel Attraction: Early Christian Asceticism and the Moral Problematic of Modernity by Judith Adler
The Sociology of Midieval Pilgrimage: Contested Views and Shifting Boundries by Lutz Kaelber
Pilgrimages of Yesterday, Jubilees of Today by Maria I. Macioti
New Canterbury Trails: Pilgrimage and Tourism in Anglican London by William H. Swatos, Jr.
Popular Religion and Pilgrimages in Western Europe by Liliane Voyé
Contemporary Pagan Pilgrimages by Michael York
Visitation to Disaster Sites by Anthony J. Blasi
Our Lady of Clearwater: Postmodern Traditionalism by William H. Swatos, Jr.
Kathmandu and Home Again: A Cautionary Tale by Richard Qinney
Epilogue: Pilgrimage for a New Millennium by William H. Swatos, Jr. and Luigi Tomasi
Selected Bibliography
Index
