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Not Black and White

As a member of a progressive Christian church, I must respond to Edward Wood’s Dec. 28, 2023 letter, “Dismayed.” In it, he implied that the spiral walk held in North Madison is a “clearly pagan” practice merging “doctrines of devils.” Wood suggested that those who teach other than “truths that come from the Bible” are “fallen” and are promoting “fictions from human imagination.” It is certainly Wood’s prerogative to believe that only words in the Bible are the “word of God,” but such fundamentalism does not encompass all Christianity or spirituality. Many of us believe in the sanctity of the Holy Word, but those who participate in other rites are not “accursed.”

The Bible was written by humans filled with spiritual inspiration. But that spiritual force did not stop 2,000 years ago. The Great Spirit is alive, at work in humans every day, and, I believe, not limited by what is in one sacred book Rites and practices of most religions are meant to open one’s heart and mind to the positive forces of the universe. Walking a spiral is no different. As with the labyrinth at the heart of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, a spiral walk is a physical meditation designed to take one within, to an inner light, where one might listen and find the voice of God. It is done to strengthen and expand one’s faith, not diminish it.

Wood’s particular faith does not invalidate the authenticity of other Christians, nor does it preclude the seriousness with which we approach the Gospel. The world is not black and white but gloriously multi-toned. And I hope he will consider that we grow and spread peace in the world when we open ourselves to other colors, other inspired words, and ways of reaching inner communion, grace, and peace.

Kate Davis

Madison