Topic of Choice #4 - Rachel Carter

I had no idea what to expect when I enrolled in Professor Reddick's ULLC 223 class. I have been pleasantly surprised throughout the course of the semester. Typically, I thrive in classes that are structured and provide specific direction as to what the professor is seeking in assignments. However, I found the set up of his class refreshing. In fact, I excelled in writing papers because I was free to construct it in a manner of choosing. I appreciated the fact he trusted his students enough to accomplish our own success. Besides learning to adapt to freedom, if you will, I learned how to have an intersubjective relationship with nature. Ultimately, I will forever remember this class.

Outside text 2 - William Pfeiffer

My second outside text comes from Martin Buber’s I and Thou. It has to do with the difference between experience and encounter. Buber says that “it” can experience the world but “you” encounter it. The “it” experiences and the world lets itself be experienced but there is no contribution from it. When the “you” encounters the world, the world gives back an experience and, in essence, they share a symbiotic relationship with each adding a little to the other.

Outside text 1 - William Pfeiffer

My first outside text came from research from my term paper. It involved the rituals of the Mayans and how they used to go on pilgrimages. This shows that pilgrimage is not a western concept and is ingrained in human nature. The Mayans had thirteen sacred mountains that they journeyed to in order to purify themselves and to make offerings to the gods. The pyramids they built were monuments to these mountains and were a place to go and make offerings.

Image and Pilgrimage 2 - William Pfeiffer

In the chapter about medieval pilgrimage, the Turners discuss how pilgrimages became fashionable. This is due to the protections the church gave all those who set out with the church’s blessing. To quote Heath, “[pilgrim’s] sanctity was universally respected, for once the sacred cross was sewn upon his garment and he had received the blessing of the Church, the pilgrim was above all law except the ecclesiastical. He was protected by Saint Peter and the pope.” They then tell that while on their pilgrimages, they tended to commit new sins while they were atoning for their old ones.

Laura Stiles- Masks of the Holy

I was very intrigued by the discussion of the masks of the holy. I'd never thought of the amazing environment and scenic views we take for granted as a reflection of God himself. However the more I think about it, the more it falls into place. The only earthly thing that could possibly represent God's power is the size and grandeur of the mountains. The only way to account for the millions of beatiful plants is to credit God's glory. This also explains why so many people find God when they are outdoors. Almost every testimony I read has some turning point revolving around experiences in nature. This idea was very powerful.

Pilgrimage #2 - Rachel Carter

Turner discuss equality on page 97. As an illustration of a possible classless society, Turner talks of the people of Queretaro's homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe. All types, from the merchant to the Indian pilgrimage together. He claims that the only real equality stems from spirit and grace.

I find this claim particularly intriguing because in sociology, I learned of American stratification, where there is deep division between social classes. Through the use of startling statistics, my classmates and I are practically left with the notion that there is no immediate solution to diminishing such inequality. However, Turner could have it right with the need for more spirit. Americans could essentially pilgrimage together by committing themselves to appreciating nature more. By doing so, we would understand the deeper meaning to life; instead of accumulating stuff, we could accumulate faith, producing a more equal (and utilitarian) society.