Southern Baptist leader on yoga: Not Christianity

[one...two...tree 2,762]

[chri'stina 190]

Tough topic. I wouldn't do yoga if any eastern religion is involved during it. If it's just stretching, that's a different thing. I think it matters how one defines yoga. The western world likes finding these "cool" things from eastern places it seems, and uses them sometimes without knowing much about the origins. The origins can bother some while it doesn't bother others. There is a difference between silence to meditate/think about something or pray and doing it to reach a state of "enlightenment" Buddha style. I guess I am much more fundamentalist since I don't think yoga is awesome or have open minded views about including other religions into mine. You don't have to be sitting or stretching a certain way to pray.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Tough topic. I wouldn't do yoga if any eastern religion is involved during it. If it's just stretching, that's a different thing. I think it matters how one defines yoga. The western world likes finding these "cool" things from eastern places it seems, and uses them sometimes without knowing much about the origins. The origins can bother some while it doesn't bother others. There is a difference between silence to meditate/think about something or pray and doing it to reach a state of "enlightenment" Buddha style. I guess I am much more fundamentalist since I don't think yoga is awesome or have open minded views about including other religions into mine. You don't have to be sitting or stretching a certain way to pray.

The Christmas Tree originated from a pagan ritual, same with Easter eggs. Adopting non-Christian rituals like meditative yoga is nothing new nor should it be feared by Christians. At least not any more than they should fear that putting a Christmas tree up is worshiping other gods.

Edited October 8, 2010 by El Buscador

[chri'stina 190]

The Christmas Tree originated from a pagan ritual, same with Easter eggs. Adopting non-Christian rituals like meditative yoga is nothing new nor should it be feared by Christians. At least not any more than they should fear that putting a Christmas tree up is worshiping other gods.

It doesn't have to be feared, but it is also unnecessary. I know people who go to yoga classes at church. No eastern religion is mentioned of course, just the stretches. But yoga is still practiced the real way in India and other places in the world as part of enlightenment, not just stretches. I don't agree with that view of enlightenment so why should I care to do yoga?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It doesn't have to be feared, but it is also unnecessary. I know people who go to yoga classes at church. No eastern religion is mentioned of course, just the stretches. But yoga is still practiced the real way in India and other places in the world as part of enlightenment, not just stretches. I don't agree with that view of enlightenment so why should I care to do yoga?

I guess I'm coming from the POV that first, not all prayer is worship and second, not all meditation is prayer. But even in the cases where you focused on the spiritual aspect of meditation, why can't a Christian apply that to their own faith, even in a yoga class where others may have other beliefs? To me, that's no different from everyone bowing their heads in a public prayer, regardless of their religious beliefs.

[chri'stina 190]

I guess I'm coming from the POV that first, not all prayer is worship and second, not all meditation is prayer. But even in the cases where you focused on the spiritual aspect of meditation, why can't a Christian apply that to their own faith, even in a yoga class where others may have other beliefs? To me, that's no different from everyone bowing their heads in a public prayer, regardless of their religious beliefs.

We just view things differently. If the class is talking specific Hindu or Buddhist sounding things with the yoga, I would find that in conflict with my faith and would not want to participate.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

We just view things differently. If the class is talking specific Hindu or Buddhist sounding things with the yoga, I would find that in conflict with my faith and would not want to participate.

Yeah, I guess so because I think it is up to the individual practicing yoga to define what it means to them spiritually. And with regard to the Southern Baptist leader saying that yoga (in general) is not Christian is like saying a Christmass tree is not Christian. While many people put up a tree during the holidays, what it means for them and their family is not dictated by origins or traditions outside of their own familial traditions and beliefs.

[chri'stina 190]

Yeah, I guess so because I think it is up to the individual practicing yoga to define what it means to them spiritually. And with regard to the Southern Baptist leader saying that yoga (in general) is not Christian is like saying a Christmass tree is not Christian. While many people put up a tree during the holidays, what it means for them and their family is not dictated by origins or traditions outside of their own familial traditions and beliefs.

I actually don't think the Christmas tree is Christian hehe. I think it's just Christmas decor like a poinsettia. I know the origins, and by the time our generations came around it just seemed normally part of the Christian holiday decorations. Actually for many years growing up we didn't have a Christmas tree in our home. We started to when I was about 10. If someone wants to do yoga stretches, I don't see the problem. If they want to involve the spiritual aspects, of a practice that is still very much happening in India and other places, that's the part I am not keen on.

Edited October 8, 2010 by chri'stina

[Danno 1,228]

So it's ok to worship you? What kind of Christian are you?

I think they call it- Perfected?

[trillium13 84]

It also helps with your shooting.

No really!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It also helps with your shooting.

No really!

[trillium13 84]

FYI, a GIS for "double entendre" yields some really...interesting results.