Question:
Shalom aleichem, Is it allowed to go to place where other religious pilgrimage takes place, yet not attending the pilgrimage spot or the church. ex: if there is a famous catholic church near a beach would it be allowed to go to that beach without going to the church or is it altogether prohibited to go to that place [beach]?
Answer:
You may not do a pilgrimage when it is the time that the gentiles to their pilgrimage, even if you are not actually going into the church. Even going there just to look at the church should not be done. However if you are just going to the beach, that happens to be near the church at other times of the year, then it would be permitted.
Sources:
Y:D 141-1, shach ibid 1, Tzitz Eliezer 14- 91.
