Yoga against Christianity

[rainbowsmiles]

Since yoga comes from the vedic scriptures, do you believe is wrong for Christians to take part in the practice of yoga?

The Catholic Church has made it clear that their followers are not to take part in the practice of yoga but other Christian leaders say differently.


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The Vatican, in a letter approved by Pope John Paul II, warned Christians Thursday against spiritual dangers deriving from Eastern methods of contemplative meditation used in yoga and Zen Buddhism.

It said the symbolism and body postures in such meditation ''can even become an idol and thus an obstacle to the raising up of the spirit of God.''

I contacted the people over at Hinduism today, to get their opinion on the matter after reading this article:

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archive..._opinion.shtml

But I'm curious as to what others think as well. Any opinions?

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by rainbowsmiles

Since yoga comes from the vedic scriptures, do you believe is wrong for Christians to take part in the practice of yoga?

The Catholic Church has made it clear that their followers are not to take part in the practice of yoga but other Christian leaders say differently.


.


I contacted the people over at Hinduism today, to get their opinion on the matter after reading this article:

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archive..._opinion.shtml

But I'm curious as to what others think as well. Any opinions?

Yoga, as far as I know, is a set of techniques to move the body - a gift of God - so that it won't go all stiff from disuse. How can God not like that?? Also yoga involves meditation. Unless I'm mistaken, you (collective you) don't have to meditate on the yoga god (Yoda?) but on your body and/or nature - both of which are of and from God. Prayer is meditation. I don't see the conflict. Rather, I see a way to show appreciation from your first birthday gift.

[chonsigirl]

I practice yoga sometimes-don't laugh now, I use a CD on the DVD player. I just turn off the sound, I only want the stretching and exercises for it. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

I do tai chi everyday the same way-nothing wrong with that either. I had to do something when my husband came home to build up my strength to do some strenuous chores, and not ache all the time afterwards. It works quite well.

[Accountable]

I bought a beginner's yoga video. Beginner's, mind you. The lady spread her feet wide, kept her legs straight and touched her head to the floor. I threw out my back bending over to remove the tape.

[chonsigirl]

I did notice how skinny-like real skinny-the people on these CD's are! I am glad I'm not in it for loosing weight, after the big bowl of ice cream I ate last night..............

[rainbowsmiles]

won't go all stiff from disuse. How can God not like that?? Also yoga involves meditation. Unless I'm mistaken, you (collective you) don't have to meditate on the yoga god (Yoda?) but on your body and/or nature - both of which are of and from God. Prayer is meditation. I don't see the conflict. Rather, I see a way to show appreciation from your first birthday gift.

The debate is actually that yoga comes from the vedic scriptures. Yes, now it is seen as a way of keeping the body in shape by Westerners but its origins are in the Hindu religion. The Hindus fear, that because it is widely used by the general public as a form of exercise that it will someday be forgotten as a base of the Hindu faith. The Christian leaders (Including the Catholics) that are against the practice of yoga are against it because it does go against the theology of the church. The Catholic church has never accepted the practice of other faiths (witchcraft (wicca) being one of them).

So understanding the debate takes a bit of thinking outside the box I guess. Yoga didn't come from God. Yoga came from the Hindus - LOL That is a fact. Buddha brought meditation and enlightenment to the world and others, including the Dalai Lama brought it to the Western world.

There isn't any doubt that yoga and meditation are great for the body. The Hindu's don't even deny that fact. The Hindus aren't particularly against yoga being practiced by Westerners (thats the Churches issue). The Hindu's don't want yoga seen as a Christian concept nor do they want it forgotten as a base of their religion. And I personally respect and honor their views on that.

The Pope and numerous other church leaders refer to their followers as heretics if they practice yoga. They don't care if your worshipping the Hindu deities in the process - they are just against the practice of yoga and the meditative practices associated with it.

Do you think that is understandable for them to feel this way, or do you think it wrong?

(as usual, the church is using scripture to back up its claims - but, like always, the sciptures are interpreted differently by everyone so there isn't one consensus on this issue).

Yoga, as far as I know, is a set of techniques to move the body

No, originally yoga was not designed for that purpose nor is it considered that way by Hindu's and numerous non-Hindu's today. The ley person sees it that way because that is how it has been filtered down to the rest of us around the world.

[Accountable]

For Christians to be against a behavior is just silly. Jesus freed us from that kind of stuff. Our action or inaction do not ensure our salvation or damnation. All that is completely spiritual.

[ch4rlie]

it's a spiritual process as much as a physical one. the poses are all based on hindu ideas and symbolism. in ancient indian architecture the temples are decorated with figures of gods in yoga poses.

the catholic church took a wishy-washy stance because they can't behead anyone for heresy anymore. it IS against christianity.

Originally Posted by Accountable

For Christians to be against a behavior is just silly. Jesus freed us from that kind of stuff. Our action or inaction do not ensure our salvation or damnation. All that is completely spiritual.

I agree AC...Isn't all religion supposed to be about tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness and love?

I practice meditation every day-sometime tai chi and I have tried yoga... I don't class myself as any particular "religion" but I lie to take the best of each.

Why do we have to have name calling and one-upmanship over this kind of thing?
This is the reason I stopped going to church as I was fed up of the constant battering of "it has to be our way or else you are going against God".

Is that really what any omnipotent being would want us to do?

[ch4rlie]

Originally Posted by Hamster

I agree AC...Isn't all religion supposed to be about tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness and love?

I practice meditation every day-sometime tai chi and I have tried yoga... I don't class myself as any particular "religion" but I lie to take the best of each.

Why do we have to have name calling and one-upmanship over this kind of thing?
This is the reason I stopped going to church as I was fed up of the constant battering of "it has to be our way or else you are going against God".

Is that really what any omnipotent being would want us to do?

yes ...


but as it stands with their way or the highway it clearly goes against the teachings.