Alternative, pagan or what?

[McWilliams]

I've noticed in recent years an increase in labyrinth walking. In this big city there are now many labyrinths at hospitals, parks and even at United Methodist and Presbyterian churches. Actually I find this alarming and see it as adding to, a form, a ritual or whatever! In todays paper there is a large article with pictures of the newest labyrinth with noted resources to learn more, and where they are located, and information for those new to labyrinth walking. The newest one was built at a cost of over $325,000.
I am interested in thoughts, knowledge of those who followed this 'means of spiritual experience' and such! It seems that this is certainly not new but has been followed for thousands of years in various cultures. Is this not pagan?

 

[AndOne]

What exactly is it? I've never heard of this before?

 

[HiredGoon]

Never heard of it.

 

[McWilliams]

http://www.gracecathedral.org/labyrinth/

You'll see more via a google search but refer to this one for starters! Some say its New Age but then its been around for such a long while. I think its likely just pagan or man's way of attempting peace and or meditation in his own way!

 

[McWilliams]

This is the article and photos I was referring to in my morning paper today.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/4064078.html

 

[rmwilliamsll]

yes it is ancient
there are hundreds of them on the floors of churches in Europe.

http://www.labyrinth-enterprises.com/2CHURCH.pdf

it is the same kind of syncretism as Christmas on the 25th of Dec, the Virgin as a type of Mother/Great Goddess figure etc.

i avoid those things but the meaning as so been emptied of pagan precursors that most people are simply unaware and unconcerned by it. i'd be more concerned with things like the Mexican RC rituals which kept the same statues of the gods in the transition to saints and just changed the name (sometimes not even this) much more direct pagan importations.

 

[AndOne]

Looks just plain silly to me - people looking for peace and happiness in all the wrong places...

So sad to see how low the Episcopal Church (in which I was raised) has stooped...

 

[JJB]

http://www.veriditas.net/about/labyrinths.html

That was linked from your link, McWilliams.

When I googled labyrinth, all kinds of nonChristian sites popped up first. Sounds like there is a labyrinth on the floor in Chartres, so I would think some Roman Catholic Christian mystics would have writings about its uses. Chartres was built in the 1200's, i believe.

As usual, modern creation worshippers are using it for "power" to get what they want.