Religion and spirituality
Photo: Pass a Method, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Religion and spirituality have played a significant role in humanity's history. Many cultural sights from buildings to festivals and traditions are of a religious nature. Most populated places have one or more places of worship, some of them being among the oldest surviving buildings of the settlement, or with monumental design, with more elaborate architecture than secular buildings.
All travelers, religious or not, should learn something about the dominant religions in the countries they visit. Even in communities that seem secular and modern, such as Europe or East Asia, religion has played an important role in customs and values in the past, and often continues to do so to this day, even among people who are no longer religious. Even religions that have now virtually disappeared have left architectural remains, and sometimes a certain influence on other religions. Good examples of this are the old Eastern Christian churches in the Middle East, and the Precolumbian religions and rituals that are still visible under a thin Catholic façade in much of Latin America.
A religious congregation can be the base of an ethnic diaspora, and provide expats and travelers a connection with their people. For example, the Anglican Communion is a communion with the Church of England, with churches in most of the world's countries, with services held in English.
UnderstandMany countries have a state religion, while others, such as most communist countries, are officially atheist.
TalkLiturgical languages or holy languages or sacred languages may serve as the common bridge languages (lingua franca) among the people of different linguistic or ethnic backgrounds but with common religious adherence.
MissionMissionaries and chaplains might find work far from home, usually combined with volunteer work. See also business travel and working abroad. The legality of missionary work varies from country to country.
PilgrimageBefore the advent of rail travel and steamships in the 19th century, long-distance travel was hardly a pleasure, and many of those who ventured far from home were motivated by faith.
Religions of Asian originThe Abrahamic religions are descended from the religion of Abraham who, according to scripture, led his people from Ancient Mesopotamia to the "Promised Land" in the second millennium BCE.
African and African diaspora religionsBy far most Africans today are Muslims or Christians, and there are also very ancient Jewish communities in several African countries and newer ones in others, as well as many Hindus among its Indian diaspora…
Religions of Oceanian originAlthough the vast majority of Polynesians today are Christians, elements of the traditional Polynesian religions survive in the local cultures.
Religions of North and South American originThe vast majority of Native Americans today are Christians, though you can find elements of the traditional religions in their cultural practices.
Religions of Eurasian originGreek and Roman religions encompass the beliefs and legends of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.
OthersMagic is the lore of seeing or affecting the world through supernatural means.
RespectLasciate ogni speranza, voi ch'entrate. Abandon hope all ye who enter here.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Religion and spirituality" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Pass a Method, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons