Halter Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture


In the book, it states “…religion has become less serious and more solemn: less serious because it belongs to the leisure sphere in a culture dominated by the high value set on material productivity…” Pg. 36. Reading this quote reminded me of how society’s constructs impact everything in our day to day lives. We are a materialistic society and we depend on an immense amount of technology at this day and age to function efficiently. This is that “technological tether” that was discussed in class. When hiking or on a kind of spiritual journey, in order to be fully immersed in the experience you have to be unrestrained by the technological tether and societal tethers that bind us to that high value of material productivity. When it comes to religion, the same strategy applies. Worshipping a higher being is an experience that requires full attention and presence. There can’t be thoughts or materials that are connecting you to insignificant distractions if you want to be successful in practicing religion and praising the divine.  

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