ForumGarden

Albert Mohler, Southern Baptist Leader, On Yoga: Not Christianity DOUBLE CLICK

Here's his essay: AlbertMohler.com - The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga?

I'm puzzled, Lon. What on earth has he written that you could take exception to? He's completely correct.

From your article:Mohler said many people have written him to say they're simply doing exercises and forgoing yoga's eastern mysticism and meditation. "My response to that would be simple and straightforward: You're just not doing yoga," Mohler said.Exactly so. He's not complaining about exercising. Exercise by all means, but labelling what you're doing "yoga" is just plain inaccurate.

spot;1337228 wrote: Here's his essay: AlbertMohler.com - The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga?

I'm puzzled, Lon. What on earth has he written that you could take exception to? He's completely correct.

From your article:Mohler said many people have written him to say they're simply doing exercises and forgoing yoga's eastern mysticism and meditation. "My response to that would be simple and straightforward: You're just not doing yoga," Mohler said.Exactly so. He's not complaining about exercising. Exercise by all means, but labelling what you're doing "yoga" is just plain inaccurate.I read that essay as well as his on the Clementi suicide. Perhaps Mohler is as rational minded a Christian fundamentalist as one might find, I'm wondering whether or not he'll remain as such or even a Christian at all.

From a fundamental standpoint I'd point out to someone such as Mohler that any discipline at all that does not focus entirely on biblical teachings is equally at odds with his idea of a faithful lifestyle.

spot;1337228 wrote: Here's his essay: AlbertMohler.com - The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga?

I'm puzzled, Lon. What on earth has he written that you could take exception to? He's completely correct.

From your article:Mohler said many people have written him to say they're simply doing exercises and forgoing yoga's eastern mysticism and meditation. "My response to that would be simple and straightforward: You're just not doing yoga," Mohler said.Exactly so. He's not complaining about exercising. Exercise by all means, but labelling what you're doing "yoga" is just plain inaccurate.


What I take exception to is his asking Christian's to avoid Yoga because "you are not just doing Yoga" and "you are denying the reality of what Yoga represents". That's ridiculous, I know many people presently taking Yoga classes primarily for exercise and stretching exercise (particularly seniors) and Mohler is assuming that by taking Yoga your're Christian principles may be at stake. Well eating food represents many things as well and would we suggest that Christians stop eating? Many taking Yoga classes are totally unaware of anything other than the supposed health benefits of Yoga.

I think we're reading the chap differently. What I understood him to say was that people taking exercise classes with Yoga as a label on them aren't doing Yoga at all and he has no objection to it in the slightest. That's what I take "You're just not doing yoga" to mean - it's a different meaning to "You're not just doing yoga" which he doesn't say. Have I read him wrong? If I have, show me a sentence or point me into the article so I can reconsider.

spot;1337323 wrote: I think we're reading the chap differently. What I understood him to say was that people taking exercise classes with Yoga as a label on them aren't doing Yoga at all and he has no objection to it in the slightest. That's what I take "You're just not doing yoga" to mean - it's a different meaning to "You're not just doing yoga" which he doesn't say. Have I read him wrong? If I have, show me a sentence or point me into the article so I can reconsider.


OK- The problem seems to be in the definition of YOGA. The more common and seemingly acceptable use of YOGA, at least in this neck of the woods pertains to the exercises and not the Spirituality, so this being the case the Rev is right on.

It's quite possible he wrote what he wrote, complete with the get-out clauses, in order to garner controversial fame in the press.

It's a bit like asking Christians not to practice eastern martial acts like kung fu or tae kwan do because of the spiritual element to it. It's the old worship my way or you are not a true christian. Wonder what his take on Catholicism is.

I read it as a mere technical point as well. He either has a personal agenda against the common American that likes to embrace new ideas and practices or he's purposely protecting the integrity of a national heritage not his own. The only other alternative is he's merely on a publicity stunt.

I'd disagree - yoga's not merely the physical exercise regime but the physical exercise regime is what the keep-fit classes operate. They ought not to call it yoga. I'd be content if they called it yoga-derived physical exercise. Yoga is primarily a spiritual methodology facilitated through posture, breathing and focus.

spot;1337497 wrote: I'd disagree - yoga's not merely the physical exercise regime but the physical exercise regime is what the keep-fit classes operate. They ought not to call it yoga. I'd be content if they called it yoga-derived physical exercise. Yoga is primarily a spiritual methodology facilitated through posture, breathing and focus.Much too long a name, I'd go with something like Yercise or yo-go-cise. I like the second one best. I agree with your interpretation of the essay. I think it was well written.

spot;1337497 wrote: I'd disagree - yoga's not merely the physical exercise regime but the physical exercise regime is what the keep-fit classes operate. They ought not to call it yoga. I'd be content if they called it yoga-derived physical exercise. Yoga is primarily a spiritual methodology facilitated through posture, breathing and focus.


The capitalist pigs wouldn't be able to sell it if it didn't have some sort of exotic origin spot, of course it's nothing like yoga. If of course they used another name then it would be mere stretching and people can't be bothered with that because it's "boring".

I'd be happy, however, if this were to be implemented in schools regardless of what they call it.

k.snyder;1337584 wrote: the capitalist pigs wouldn't be able to sell it if it didn't have some sort of exotic origin spot, of course it's nothing like yoga. If of course they used another name then it would be mere stretching and people can't be bothered with that because it's "boring".

I'd be happy, however, if this were to be implemented in schools regardless of what they call it.


capitalist pigs??

Lon;1337623 wrote: capitalist pigs??


It's a technical term, Lon. It in no way traduces porcine mammals. It glancingly portrays capitalists as those who empty whatever trough is placed before them to the great detriment of thinner creatures.

spot;1337635 wrote: It's a technical term, Lon. It in no way traduces porcine mammals. It glancingly portrays capitalists as those who empty whatever trough is placed before them to the great detriment of thinner creatures.


It may be a technical term but I have always associated it as something said by Bolsheviks, Communists and the far far left. That's why I was surprised that KC used it the way he did>

Lon;1337835 wrote: It may be a technical term but I have always associated it as something said by Bolsheviks, Communists and the far far left. That's why I was surprised that KC used it the way he did>


Nothing wrong with communism so long as those with the power are not morally corrupt.

Capitalism is disgusting Lon. People pay thousands of dollars into insurance in which they're later denied in every instance they show the slightest sign of becoming ill, it's not insurance it's fn extortion.

If the World operated on unlimited resources then yes capitalism is very fine, but when there is a limit all that happens is the transferring of those funds to those with more power, the very same power that republicans envelope themselves in after winning the votes of the ignorant. Capitalism being the very reason this practice has gained popularity. Anything capitalism touches turns to sh*t wrapped in gold, it's still sh*t underneath. The Americanization of yoga is an insult to the people that truly practice it is the sentiment I've gathered, but alas so long as the poor remain behind closed doors no one gives even that pile of sh*t wrapped in gold because it appears to be worth something as opposed to actually being worth anything. It's why American children are actually poor because they get fed garbage, do not exercise, and the level of education is just enough to not ascertain the least argument from the parents because they were fed the same sh*t, pseudointelligence. Good ole capitalism huh?

K.Snyder;1337862 wrote: Nothing wrong with communism so long as those with the power are not morally corrupt.

Capitalism is disgusting Lon. People pay thousands of dollars into insurance in which they're later denied in every instance they show the slightest sign of becoming ill, it's not insurance it's fn extortion.

If the World operated on unlimited resources then yes capitalism is very fine, but when there is a limit all that happens is the transferring of those funds to those with more power, the very same power that republicans envelope themselves in after winning the votes of the ignorant. Capitalism being the very reason this practice has gained popularity. Anything capitalism touches turns to sh*t wrapped in gold, it's still sh*t underneath. The Americanization of yoga is an insult to the people that truly practice it is the sentiment I've gathered, but alas so long as the poor remain behind closed doors no one gives even that pile of sh*t wrapped in gold because it appears to be worth something as opposed to actually being worth anything. It's why American children are actually poor because they get fed garbage, do not exercise, and the level of education is just enough to not ascertain the least argument from the parents because they were fed the same sh*t, pseudointelligence. Good ole capitalism huh?


KC--------None of the Economic, Social, Political or Religious Systems work without corruption going on. Given that is true, what then is the best system for all people? Your opening statement about insurance is true in some instances but totally inaccurate in most and you are cherry picking isolated instances of the failures of Capitalism. We could go back and forth endlessly citing individual instances of the failures of one system or another. As one who made a damn good living under Capitalism and was able, I believe, to be of economic and social help to others, I would say "Give me Capitalism as opposed to any thing else, despite some of it's failures.

Lon;1337907 wrote: KC--------None of the Economic, Social, Political or Religious Systems work without corruption going on. Given that is true, what then is the best system for all people? Your opening statement about insurance is true in some instances but totally inaccurate in most and you are cherry picking isolated instances of the failures of Capitalism. We could go back and forth endlessly citing individual instances of the failures of one system or another. As one who made a damn good living under Capitalism and was able, I believe, to be of economic and social help to others, I would say "Give me Capitalism as opposed to any thing else, despite some of it's failures.I've personally benefited from capitalism but only financially. When we understand that is negated by illness then it becomes highly unethical. And it's not just the insured it's those unable to afford insurance as well. People get rejected left and right.

Let us talk in 10 years and see. I can guarantee you the America you grew up in will not nor ever be the America of today and in the future, ever. Capitalism was very neat in the 50's and since reagan will define America's fate. The housing crash is primarily responsible, how's that not entirely the fault of capitalism as opposes to "isolated instances"?,..one instance, and it's spelled c.a.p.i.t.a.l.i.s.m

I skimmed the article, but had to chuckle because I recall that Baptists are also the most overweight group of all Christian denominations. I suppose they care more about their next body in heaven than their present one. I'm not sure the author should discourage any form of exercise, evil or not, for this group.

yaaarrrgg;1338209 wrote: I skimmed the article, but had to chuckle because I recall that Baptists are also the most overweight group of all Christian denominations. I suppose they care more about their next body in heaven than their present one. I'm not sure the author should discourage any form of exercise, evil or not, for this group.:wah: I didn't know that but now that you mention it...

Ahso!;1338216 wrote: :wah: I didn't know that but now that you mention it...


How about Evangelicals? As a group they appear a bit on the puffy side. They need more veggies at those church dinners and less carbs. :p

Yogurt Socials just dont have the same ring as ice cream socials.

I read the essay. I find it a little funny that he's against Christians practicing yoga but seemingly has no problem at all with an Easter egg hunt, which is quite a bit more direct physical participation in idolatry.

It's kind of strange that he is against meditation, which I've been taught fits the definition of deep prayer very neatly. Mohler writes, "The bare fact is that yoga is a spiritual discipline by which the adherent is trained to use the body as a vehicle for achieving consciousness of the divine. Christians are called to look to Christ for all that we need and to obey Christ through obeying his Word." I don't see the contradiction. In fact, there's an old hymn we used to sing in Baptist church when I was a child, "Fill My Cup, Lord" which was about using prayer to find solace in Christ. If we truly believe there is only the one God, where is the clash? "We are not called to escape the consciousness of this world by achieving an elevated state of consciousness, but to follow Christ in the way of faithfulness." It seems to me that Mohler is using the old Catholic "Don't ask. I'll tell" policy of worship. Hardly Baptist thinking.

General Baptist might be more tolerant.

He's a Southern Baptist (which is what I grew up in). It is one of the least tolerant protestant groups. For example, they split off from the general church, because they couldn't tolerate the North's views against slavery. To be fair, they have apologized for the racist beginnings of the church in the last 20 years or so -- long after racist views were a public embarrassment. But they've had no personal growth and almost pride themselves in this. Now, they've merely made gay people and other religions the new "black."

These are the same guys that see secret homosexual messages in kids shows like the Teletubbies.

We were Southern Baptist, we just didn't say the "Southern". To us, back then, there was Baptist and Black Baptist.... and never the twain should meet.