"Explain the part Pilgrimage plays in the life of Christians"

Georgina Thomas -AO2- "Explain the Part Pilgrimage plays in the life of Christians" There are many reasons for going on pilgrimage. Some go on Pilgrimage searching for God, to reaffirm their faith. Others go to have the opportunity to worship freely with other believers, a feeling of belonging, being 'allowed' to worship. Another reason is to go as an act of penance to make up for sin; this reason isn't as common as it was in the Middle Ages when priests would sometimes give pilgrimage as a penance The benefits from going on pilgrimage vary from person to person. A sense of belonging is one of the many things gained. The person I interviewed was a relative who went on pilgrimage in May of this year, she said 'I gained a lot from travelling; I had an overwhelming mountaintop experience whilst proceeding around the Stations of the Cross, meeting new people along the way'. She also said "the spiritual discipline showed me a kind of peacefulness I don't normally come across.' my relative believes she can find peace in Lourdes that she cannot get anywhere else. Others may say a lot is gained purely if you stay open to the new surroundings. Lasting friendships are gained in this way. Some pilgrims may strengthen their relationship with God and gain an understanding of their blessings and failings. Also pilgrims can realize how lucky they are, with good health and not take it for

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Hajj is really a journey within". Do you agree or disagree?

RE Coursework C On the one hand I think that Hajj is not only a journey within, as there are parts that will inflict great physical damage and take a great toll on many Muslims. Each event proves to be both mentally and physically challenging, especially the Sai; the main rite of Umra and part of Hajj, it is the proceeding between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times, and also the Stand, as previously mentioned. One could say that as long as these events are involved, the pilgrimage is not only a journey within, and without them, you would not be following the example of the Prophet Muhammad. Furthermore, if there were no physical side to the Hajj experience, then how would it be possible for a pilgrim to remember? As the physical attributes of the journey leaves reminders upon the pilgrim's body, such as scars, bruises and aching muscles; it is incredibly rare that someone could not find the events challenging. Another view that should be stated is the fact that we are both body and soul; therefore as humans, a true pilgrimage is a journey within and without. This is a strong statement as it is a simple fact, yet very effective and straight to the point, implying that a true pilgrimage is not just a journey within. On the other hand, many Muslims would be used to facing such a hot climate and this would present absolutely no obstacle to them, therefore withstanding

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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What is involved in pilgrimage? Illustrate the differing approaches to pilgrimage by referring to 2 or more places of pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage AO1 What is involved in pilgrimage? Illustrate the differing approaches to pilgrimage by referring to 2 or more places of pilgrimage. The word Pilgrimage means the journey to a holy place. Pilgrimages are found in all of the religions in the world. Islam's go to Makkah, Hindus go to Benares on the River Gange, Buddha's go to Bodhgaya, Sikhs go to Amritsar and Jews and Christians go to Jerusalem. There are many different reasons people go on Pilgrimage. Some people go to feel the holiness of a place. Some go to come closer to God or to seek his forgiveness. Others go to show their devotion to God, it is a commitment in their Religion. Another reason they go is to seek Gods help. This could be in a physical way, a healing or cure from a disease, or in a more spiritual way. Pilgrimage is not a new idea. In Genesis 47:9 it says "And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage." One of the main places of Christian pilgrimage is Lourdes. In February 1858, Bernadette Soubirous, the sickly daughter of a poor miller was collecting fire wood with her sister and a friend near a cave called Massabielle, on the outskirts Lourdes, which was then a small

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Fasting goes on every day (29/30 days) of the month of Ramadan and all fit, healthy adult Muslims should and must fast from dawn to sunset.

Religious Studies Coursework- Islam Section A Ramadan is a Muslim religious practice that occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and for most, is considered the most important month of the Islamic Calendar. During this very important month, Muhammad (p.b.u.h) received the first revelation of the holy Qur'an years ago. For that purpose, it is a special month for Muslims, which they commemorate by fasting (known as sawm). The two major reasons why Muslims fast are: it is the Fourth Pillar of Islam (and therefore an obligatory duty and act of worship) ordered for them by Allah in the Qur'an. The second reason is that Muhammad (pbuh) himself set them the example of fasting. This is a quotation from the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad: "Ibn 'Umar reported that the people saw the new moon (of Ramadan). So I informed the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that I had seen the new moon. Upon this the Holy Prophet observed fasting and ordered the people to observe the fasts of Ramadan." (Selection of Hadith, No.55) Once the new moon has been spotted during the ninth month, the month of Ramadan officially begins. The Islamic calendar is a lunar one, so Ramadan occurs at different times every solar year, so that the season in which you fast always changes. Fasting goes on every day (29/30 days) of the month of Ramadan and all fit, healthy

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Hajj is the pilgrimage Muslims take to Mecca.

GCSE Coursework: Hajj Hajj is the pilgrimage Muslims take to Mecca, which is in Saudi Arabia. Hajj is one of the five pillars and is done once in a lifetime, provided you are fit, healthy and can afford it, unlike the other pillars which are done daily weekly or annually by everyone. Hajj Takes place on the 8th day of Dhul-hijah, which is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims can go at other times of the year, but this is not counted as Hajj it is called Umrah, which means lesser pilgrimage. The definition of the word Hajj is to set out with definite purpose. This definite purpose is to fulfil their duty to Allah. It is written in the Qu'ran that all Muslims must go on the Hajj, and it is a test of commitment to Allah. There are four main stages of the hajj: at Mina, Marwa & Safa, the Mount of Mercy, and at the Ka'ba, each has its own belief and origin about it. Before Muslims begin their pilgrimage around Mecca, they must enter a state of purity known as Ihram, this shows purity and equality between all Muslims. Ihram literally means Consecration or dedication to holy things. This means that all Muslims are equal in Allah's eyes therefore they should be willing to do anything for him. The first stage of The Hajj is at the Ka'ba; it stands in the courtyard of the great mosque. Muslims walk around this at a very fast pace seven times, anticlockwise, this

  • Word count: 1881
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Pilgrimage is an important part of Christian life

Pilgrimage A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place or a long journey or spiritual search, especially one of great purpose and religious significance. For some pilgrimages this means traveling a mile or less to a different part of the town. For others this could mean traveling to a neighbouring town or village or even to a different part of the world, lasting a week or more! On some pilgrimages programs are carried out; programs to raise awareness, or expose realities or just to get their messages across. For example a program called 'The Journey of Hope and Life' was carried out in the US and Mexico to raise awareness of the deaths of many across the border of the two countries. On their pilgrimages they took part in community gatherings and prayed and ate with residents from the border regions. When pilgrims arrive at their destination, they often perform rituals and worship together. For many, part of it is just being with people who share the same beliefs as them. Others may choose to mediate or pray quietly. Many spend years saving up to go on a pilgrimage in a foreign country. People could take part in a pilgrimage simply for a new faith experience, or to explore a new country and its faith, or they may even be working their way round a lot of pilgrimages in lots of countries to see how they differ. People go to enrich or deepen their faith, too. Since ancient

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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This is coursework is about Pilgrimage. The coursework is divided into three parts. I am going to talk about what happens at pilgrimage, why people go and reasons why/why not are these places becoming too commercialised. But what is a pilgrimage?

G.C.S.E. R.E. COURSEWORK "PILGRIMAGE" Carolina Garcia-Cox Introduction This is coursework is about Pilgrimage. The coursework is divided into three parts. I am going to talk about what happens at pilgrimage, why people go and reasons why/why not are these places becoming too commercialised. But what is a pilgrimage? A Christian Pilgrimage is a journey undertaken, by believers to a place, which is, for some reason, considered to be holy. No one has the obligation to go but religious pilgrims have been particularly important in the Catholic Church for centuries. Many Christians have seen them as an essential part of their own spiritual journey as it not only takes them to places where God, or one of his saints, have revealed themselves in the past, but it also gives them an opportunity to meet people involved in similar journeys. There are many places of pilgrimage like: Lourdes in France, Rome in Italy, Taize in France, Holy Land in Israel, Knock in Ireland, Santiago de Compostella in Spain, and many more. AO1 Lourdes is a town in the South of France. It is in the Pyrenees mountains. In 1858, a teenage girl named Marie (who later changed her name to Bernadette) believed she had several visions of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Bernadette's parents were poor farmers, and she was uneducated. During one of the visions, the Lady told Bernadette to dig nearby and to drink the

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Ramadan and a day in the life of a Muslim

Ramadan is 'God's' month, because the greatest of the scripture, the glorious Quran (Koran) was revealed during Ramadan. During this blessed month of Ramadan all Muslims, fast as well as try to be a better person. In the month of fasting, all Muslims rise in the morning before sunrise, when it is still dark, to eat a whole meal, then they do no eat again after sunset when it is dark. As well as not eating and drinking, a Muslim must be a good person, not talking behind people's backs, not lying or being a bad person and also it is a special time to study about the religion Islam, and to read the Quran. A Moslem experiences the spiritual feelings; they feel a special readiness to purify their soul and to be a better person. God is always ready to bless us and forgive us and show mercy. Being able to refrain from eating and drinking, helps one to be strong and patient. If one can be successful within the month of Ramadan, they are able to be successful in many other things. When asking Muslims how they feel in the month of Ramadan the say "we feel as though we are in control of our body's and our self, putting our beliefs before our every day routine (eating etc.)". This shows great strength and control. Mr Ackbar is a 43 year man living in Iran with his family. He is an owner of book shop in Tehran. 5:00 am: Mr Ackbar wakes up, gets out of bed and goes to the

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Why do Muslims go on Hajj?

Why do Muslims go on Hajj? The annual pilgrimage to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Muslims perform Hajj in order to visit for themselves the holy sites where their faith started. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is the duty of every Muslim to go on the Hajj at least once in their life time to follow the footsteps of Muhammad. The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah is a central duty of Islam whose origins date back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). It brings together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life's most moving spiritual experiences. For 14 centuries, countless millions of Muslims, men and women from all over the world, have made the pilgrimage to Makkah, the birthplace of Islam. In carrying out this obligation, they fulfill one of the five "pillars" of Islam, or central religious duties of the believer. The Pilgrimage Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in Mecca and stand before the Ka'ba praising Allah together. The Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, "Paradise is the only reward for a

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Describe what is involved in performing Hajj.

Charlotte Jenkins 10P R.S Coursework January 2004 Hajj Section A - Describe what is involved in performing Hajj. (24 marks) The hajj takes place each year in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar - calendar on the 8th - 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah! Over a million people gather in the holy city of Makkah for Hajj each year and it is a duty that must be performed by every Muslim at sometime in his/her life. It is the fifth pillar of Islam and like all the other pillars it must be performed with the right intention or 'Niyyah.' Muslims must be able to pay the expenses to go on the hajj themselves and they must be physically and mentally healthy enough to withstand the hardships of the Hajj. If a Muslim isn't in a fit enough state to go then they can send someone in their place as long as they have the right Niyyah. Before or while on the Hajj Muslims recite 'O, our Lord, receive this from us...........make us submissive to you, and of our seed a nations submissive to you' (Surah 2: 127-9) The first stage of Hajj is to put on Ihram. This means to enter a state of ritual purity, where there must be no impure thoughts and men must be focused on Allah not on any sexual thoughts or feelings. Ihram is a seamless white garment, which the Muslims put on at certain places around the city called 'Miqat.' Men wear 2 white sheets, one around the waist and one over the left shoulder.

  • Word count: 2657
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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