Saints

Traditionally, a saint is someone close to God or someone who is identified with God. A saint may also be someone who is holy or fully embraces spirituality. Colloquially, someone may be considered a saint, or at least saintly, if he or she does good acts or stoically puts up with suffering. The belief in saints can function to solidify a community or to divide it from another group. An individual or group prays to a saint, possibly making a small financial offering to the organization the saint is connected with. This is in expectation of a higher reward, financially and spiritually, in return. A set of financial transactions (e.g., support for festival days and ongoing gifts) may unite the ­community, so the individual donating ...