climbing of sacred hills

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The Eternal T
The Eternal Jul 11, 2013 21:51:16
Replying to Rhiannon

Hi Rhiannon,

Please bear in mind that I haven't read most of the replies. This is my reply to your original post:-

I can accept a request to not climb a "sacred hill" due to erosion problems, such as Silbury Hill. However, I find it hard to comply with the religious reason.

How can a religious reason be reason enough to keep people off a hill, unless you belong to that religion? What if I suddenly decided that Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon were integral to my religious beliefs, and that I didn't want anyone to climb them? I can't see anyone complying with my wishes. So, what's the difference? Can't see one myself.

Basically, we can't expect everyone outside our own specific belief system to respect it. If I was requested to keep off a particular hill on a certain day to respect a religious belief, then I would respect that. After all, it's only one day.

All the best,
TE.

H harestonesdown
harestonesdown Jul 11, 2013 21:59:47
Replying to The Eternal

The Eternal wrote:
Hi Rhiannon,

Please bear in mind that I haven't read most of the replies. This is my reply to your original post:-

I can accept a request to not climb a "sacred hill" due to erosion problems, such as Silbury Hill. However, I find it hard to comply with the religious reason.

How can a religious reason be reason enough to keep people off a hill, unless you belong to that religion? What if I suddenly decided that Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon were integral to my religious beliefs, and that I didn't want anyone to climb them? I can't see anyone complying with my wishes. So, what's the difference? Can't see one myself.

Basically, we can't expect everyone outside our own specific belief system to respect it. If I was requested to keep off a particular hill on a certain day to respect a religious belief, then I would respect that. After all, it's only one day.

All the best,
TE.

And funnily enough one of those who considers Silbury "sacred" actually climbs it at least once a year, or did.

R Rhiannon
Rhiannon Jul 11, 2013 22:05:01
Replying to The Eternal

The original post was about Uluru, I'd wanted to hear views on that rather than Silbury - we should infer you'd climb Uluru because you're not a local Aborigine and you don't share their religion? Though they've specifically and politely requested you refrain? I've been suggesting people should have respect for the Aborigine's wishes and not climb it. Also, if we have to get on to property rights, the rock is actually theirs, so they should surely have a say over what happens on it?