A PHILOSOPHICAL CHALLENGE ON THE CAMINO

Pilgrims who pass by Arzúa on their way to Santiago encounter at Taberna Vella, km 32, a wall with a string of philosophical messages.

First there are twelve ‘Travel broadens the mind’ quotes by different writers and philosophers (Mark Twain, Saint Augustine, Lao Tse, etc.).

Then there are fourteen questions regarding philosphy and religion (‘Do you question own ideas (beliefs) as much as you do other people’s ideas (beliefs)’, ‘Has religion had a positive or negative influence on our society?’, ‘Is science bringin us salvation or self-destruction?’, etc.);

Later they find fourteen ‘Preparing the way..’ messages, with each new idea preparing the way for the following (‘Seekers long for a better comprehension. They question themselves as much as others, and religion as much as science’, etc)

Then comes the philosophical challenge, which refers to the origin of the dogma of the virgin birth. The next fourteen messages pilgrims point out that the Gospel of Saint Matthew holds an enigma which once made people assume it says that Jesus was born of a virgin, but really says who was Jesus’ father. Pilgrims are encouraged to consult secretsinthebible.com and secretsinthebible.blogspot.com.es for more information.

Finally people find ‘The Most Important Message Which Mankind Has To Learn’ next to a cartoon that is called ‘Today’s Society’. It shows a boat that is sinking. There are two people on the lower part and two people on the higher part of the boat. The first two, who are till their knees in the water, are filling buckets to avoid the boat from sinking. The two who are sitting very comfortable on the dry part of the boat, and one says to the other, “How lucky are we that the leak is on the other side…”