I read a recent Gallup poll article on the continuing secularization trend in the U.S. For the first time in 83 years membership in houses of worship (church, synagogue or mosque) have fallen below 50%. Polls have shown most Americans believe in God but a large number of people have lost faith in organized religion. I’ve been interested in spirituality beginning in university religion classes of a year of Old and New Testament, followed by a year of Asian religions. I even borrowed a yarmulke from Marla’s father to give a presentation on Judaism. In the picture above I’m holding a bible I received as an eight-year-old in Sunday school in Oakland, California. I’m a observer of religions and sometime participant. This is a post of my spiritual quests exploring places of worship and ritual at home and traveling the world. For more in depth information click on the highlighted links. I must say it is still an amazing journey!

I am fascinated by the complexities of humanity and the colorful mosaic of our world’s cultures. Many of us seek spirituality and experiences of a sacred and personal level. For some this may be through organized religion, art, music, and for others through immersion in nature. I am very conflicted by organized religion. Lately, I have become repulsed by many evangelicals‘ continuing support of Trumpism, as well as their opposition to LGBTQ rights. The church is and always has been a big money maker for many people. Look at the purportedly shocking net worth of the ten richest U.S. pastors! (Ranging from $8 million to $300 million dollars.) Finding a church with a true mission to help people in need is rare indeed, but I believe I found in our visits to San Francisco’s Glide. GLIDE is a nationally recognized center for inclusivity and social justice. Our family has been going there for many years. The image above is Marla, my brother Gary, Stacy and Lisa, in front of the church in the Tenderloin district of The City.

Our grandson Vaughan enjoyed the Glide during his “9-year-old” trip to the Bay Area.

A jumping video of some of the music of the Glide Ensemble and the Change Band a few years ago.

A friend of Marla’s sent her Timothy Egan’s book, “A Pilgrimage to Eternity”. We both found it a fascinating read that we recommend to all. Egan walked the infamous Via Francigena Pilgrimage trail from Canterbury to Rome. Along the way we learn oodles about the early Christian church, power hungry scoundrels, saints and sinners, heretics, the power of faith, and fascinating history. I am on my own journey visiting places of worship throughout Europe, United Kingdom, Turkey, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, India, China, Japan, Morocco, and the U.S.

Siena’s cathedral is one of Europe’s finest gothic churches and is simply awe-inspiring inside and out. The architecture and religious artifacts are almost beyond comprehension. Think of all the artists and workers who labored through the centuries to create this masterpiece.

Marla lights a candle and prays for a friend battling cancer.

I found the charming Saint Andrea Church in the beautiful little town of Spello in Italy’s Umbria region

Even simple chapels have a story to tell although they are often in the shadow of grander cathedrals. This chapel was in a small hill town in Tuscany’s western coastal region.

While exploring the French town of Menton, I came upon this intriguing niche on the side of a building in the old quarter. Was it a favorite priest,…a saint?

Priests gather in the Seville Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. According to a popular legend, the original design committee of this cathedral wanted it to convey a clear message – namely, that it would be so “beautiful and so magnificent that those who see it will think we are mad”. 

La Giralda is a bell tower attached to the Seville Cathedral. It was originally built in the 12th century as the minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville in al-Andalus, the Muslim-ruled area of Moorish Spain, during the reign of the Almohad dynasty. After Seville was recovered by the Christians in 1248 during the Reconquista, the city’s mosque was symbolically converted into a cathedral. We see many examples of Christian conversion of early Roman temples and Muslim buildings throughout Europe. Conquering Christian powers have always pushed the view that “their way was the only way”, often destroying iconic religious architecture of earlier regimes. I believe there are many spiritual paths and roads to enlightenment.

Granada’s famous 9th century Alhambra is truly magnificent on every level, inside as well as in the Generalife Gardens. Alhambra’s artisans carved Arabic calligraphy of poems and versus from the Koran. Muslims refrain from decorating with living creatures which they believe to be God’s work. Our private guide points out a phrase, “God is victorious” on the wall which can be seen over 9000 times.

Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia is without doubt one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings I’ve ever visited. Just as we saw Seville’s Giraldo Bell tower being converted by those in power, the same happened with the 6th century old Hagia Sophia. In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935 the secular Turkish Republic established it as a museum. In 2020, it re-opened as a mosque again. The fabulous ancient Christian mosaics are now covered up with fabrics. This is power and politics.

Look closely at the top of this ancient door in Essaouira, Morocco, and you will spot a Jewish star carved in stone. In the 18th century Jews made up 40% of the population. Today with only a few Jews left, the 2018 World Monuments Watch is promoting the Jewish Quarter as a symbol of the peaceful coexistence between religions to contribute to intercultural and interreligious dialogue to fight intolerance.

Wat Phra Doi Suthep, on a mountain top outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a special place for Marla and me. This is an important temple and pilgrimage site for Buddhists in Thailand.

Worshippers follow a clockwise path (Pradakshine) around the golden chedi while reciting prayers.

Chiang Mai has 117 Buddhist temples and Wat Buppharam is one of my favorites with its distinctive Naga serpent sculptures.

Marla and I made 25 visits to Chiang Mai purchasing furniture, accessories, and antiques for Wesco Fabrics. The photo above was at a favorite resource.

Bangkok’s Amulet Market is a fun excursion near the Grand Palace. Monks, collectors, and all types of people come to the market for amulets, totems, coins, and assorted good luck charms. Many have images of the Buddha.

While exploring Chiang Mai we encountered a Bodhi Tree with “support poles” on the side. This is an ancient Lanna tradition of “supporting” a Bodhi tree with a decorative support pole. The Bodhi tree is the tree of enlightenment that sheltered the Buddha. We found fine differences between Thailand and Myanmar in the specific beliefs concerning the poles and their celebrations which reminded us of the many differences in sects of Christianity. As always we retuned to the question, “How can only one form of worship be ‘correct’?”

Marla gives an offering to a monk at 5:30 AM in Luang Prabang, Laos, during a morning alms procession.

While on a bike tour of coastal Tuscany I was surprised to find the “Lama Tzong Khapa Insitute” , a Tibetan monastery in the village of Pomaia.

The Indonesian island of Bali is called the “Island of the Gods” and one of the most spiritual places I’ve ever visited. Most Balinese practice a form of Bali Hindu with some animism as well. Religion is an every day affair with daily offerings and prayers. Each family compound has its own temple as well as village, city, and district temples, for the worship of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and ancestors.

Marla recorded this video of the preparations for a ceremony at the Gunung Kawi temple while a Balinese priest performs a prayer ritual.

A solitary worshipper prays at the Gunung Kawi temple in Bali.

One of the most unusual temples I’ve ever visited is the Pura Goa Lawah Bat Cave. During our first visit years ago we saw a large python climbing the cave wall hunting a large bat.

Worshippers light incense sticks and pray in Shanghai’s “City God Temple”, which is now a Taoist temple.

I hope you enjoyed my spiritual tour on travels close by and far away. I am sure many of you have been on your own personal spiritual quest as well.

You may enjoy my earlier posts on spiritual quests:

https://gentryconnects.net/?p=598

https://gentryconnects.net/?p=783

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.