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DEL.ICIO.USWorld Pilgrims of Atlanta: Starting out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A group of 23 religiously mixed pilgrims from metro Atlanta — Christians, Jews and Muslims — head off Sunday night on a trip of a lifetime. They’re going to Jordan, and some will be going on to Israel, but it’s the traveling arrangements that make this an unusual trip to the Holy Land.
The sponsoring organization, World Pilgrims of Atlanta, is throwing the Georgians of different religions together and getting them outside their comfort zone. The pilgrims live together, changing roommates and meal partners every few days. They follow each other to mosques, churches, synagogues and holy sites of the three faiths. And they discuss their religious traditions while traveling in places where faith is often a flash point for violence.
The trips began as a way to inspire understanding among Jews, Muslims and Christians in Atlanta after the 9/11 attacks, said Jan Swanson, the program director of World Pilgrims, in an AJC story by Christopher Quinn.
Before the World Trade Center attack, she was working for the Christian Council, an Atlanta ecumenical group. While there, she used to get a few calls a year from churches asking her to find a speaker from another faith. “After 9-11, I started getting about 40 calls a month,” she said. People were looking for answers, for understanding.
“If we want to create a world where there is peace, we have to understand each other and have to be able to step with ease from one matrix to another. We have to be able to relate to people who are different from us without judgment and enmity,” said Tayyibah Taylor, one of the pilgrims
As part of the trip, three pilgrims - a Muslim, a Jew and a Christian - have been invited to send in reports from the road to this blog. Our three intrepid (and fledgling) bloggers will be:
Tayyibah Taylor, who lives in the North Druid Hills area and is editor of Azizah, a national magazine for Muslim women.
Rev. Jill Ulrici, pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Buckhead and a PhD candidate at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur.
Audrey Galex, a member of Bet Haverim synagogue, director of volunteer services for the William Bremen Jewish Home, and an Atlanta mother of three.
We don’t know yet what they will find. It’s an experiment for everyone involved. Call it a leap of blogging faith. Come back regularly for reports from our pilgrims about where they are what they are doing.
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By Omer
October 26, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
Hey guys, have fun on this trip. Jan and Imam Plemon are the best, they are the best hosts. I learned alot from the Israel/Palestine trip when I went, back in 2005. It was an everlasting experience. Remember the experience doesn’t end when you come back to the states. It will be just the beginning. Have fun and be safe. May God bless you all.
Omer Ahmad
By Randy
October 26, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this
That’s great, we all go back to the same Creator(the God of Abraham). I’m Christian and I think we should all work together to make the world a better place.
By Tiwas
October 27, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this
A friend of mine is participating in this trip so I wish all of you a safe and peaceful trip. Every little bit helps and tolerance among all faiths is a true beginning. I’m Christian and my friend is Muslim. May GOD bless us all. Have a great trip.
By Other CJ
October 27, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
poor Jesus…He gets rejected again.
By David Taylor
October 27, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
I am going tomorrow on this remarkable journey with 22 other tremendous participants. The relationships we develop will be precious and we shall learn and experience together…SHALOM AND SLALOM
By David Taylor
October 27, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
I am going tomorrow on this remarkable journey with 22 other tremendous participants. The relationships we develop will be precious and we shall learn and experience together…SHALOM AND SLALOM
By Anonymous
October 27, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Other CJ: How does this trip reject Jesus? Judaism and Islam are not salvation teachings and do not have a Savior. However, these faiths have great respect for Jesus as a Teacher, Prophet and example. Why does everyone have to see Jesus exactly like you do? How come you alone have all the answers and get to choose the path for everyone else? If you open your mind and heart, I promise that Jesus will still be there.
By Melissa
October 28, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this
May God bless you all. What an awesome journey! I will pray for a fruitful and blessed trip for you all!
By howard holman
October 28, 2007 7:19 AM | Link to this
What a wonderful idea and I wish everyone Godspeed. It is sad that some think Jesus would not approve of this trip, my Bible says he would. My wife, daughter and I visited Syria 18 months ago on vacation and we found that Syrians make Southerners look like pikers when it comes to hospitality and friendliness. We are going back in May.
By Frank McCloskey
October 31, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
To World Pilgrims, you remain in my thoughts and prayers. Don’t forget your number on the bus! Love, Frank McCloskey (2007 World Pilgrim…Turkey and Greece).