UK Churches say that yoga is incompatible with yoga

[Guest guest]

IMHO, this is *SO* crazy, but:

>From the UK Guardian newspaper (a national broadsheet)

 

VICAR IN A TWIST OVER YOGA CLASSES IN CHURCH HALL

Adopting the lotus position may seem harmless but be warned it could

be the first step on a slippery slope to damnation.

For those who believe that they can combine the pursuit of yoga with

the practice of Christianity it is time to roll up the yoga mat and

think again, according to the Rev Derek Smith. Having banned

classes from his church hall in Melksham, Wiltshire, the vicar has

called upon Christians who indulge in the activity to 'examine their

consciences'.

Yoga, he believes, is 'incompatible' with Christianity because of

its associations with the Hindu faith. Even if followers in the

west use yoga purely for fitness purposes, spirititual leaders in

the east insist it is inseperable from Hindi devotioal practice, Mr

Smith says.

'I would ask people who do yoga to think about they they believe

they were in breach of their faith or not. If they genuinely believe

what they are doing is acceptable - and I know people that do - of

course I would ask them to examine their consciences.'

Mr Smith's comments came less than a year after fellow clergyman

Richard Farr of St Mary's in Henham on the Essex-Hertfordshire

border axed yoga sessions at his church hall because he feared the

classes could make participants turn to eastern mysticism. The

latest ban was immediately condemned by yoga enthusiasts who

described it as 'ignorant'.

Jane Hill of the British Wheel of Yoga said, 'It is not a religion

and its doesn't push any version of one. I don't think it will

affect his flock. He should have a more open mind.'

The Church of England, defending Mr Smith's decision and backing the

right of clergymen to take a stand against practices which 'do not

square with Christian teachings', and a spokesperson said, 'yoga is

used as a kind of generic term for exercise and stretching but there

are many different types of yoga. Some have a more spiritual basis

handed down from eastern religions. It is reasonably understanding

that someone can say that they don't want someting with a spiritual

basis to be taught in their church hall.

The church was keen to promote good relations with other religions,

the spokesperon added, but that did not involve being 'wishywashy or

mealy-mouthed about distinctions in faith'.

 

End of piece.

[Guest guest]

There is some truth to this, but majority of the yogins I know who

went beyond the asanas and had a conversion (of belief) did it

because they find Sanatana Dharma more plausible than the "one

lifetime, heaven or hell, our way is the only way" Christianity that

is prevalent. I don't even think that the churchianity practiced

today is still the original Christianity taught by Jesus. This man

did a logical thing, considering the number of churches that are

closing down due to lack of attendance and the universal appeal of

Yoga, a philosophy and practice undeniably tied-up with Hindu dharma.

 

ashtangayoga, "anniegurton" <annie> wrote:

> IMHO, this is *SO* crazy, but:

>

> From the UK Guardian newspaper (a national broadsheet)

>

> VICAR IN A TWIST OVER YOGA CLASSES IN CHURCH HALL

> Adopting the lotus position may seem harmless but be warned it

could

> be the first step on a slippery slope to damnation.

> For those who believe that they can combine the pursuit of yoga

with

> the practice of Christianity it is time to roll up the yoga mat and

> think again, according to the Rev Derek Smith. Having banned

> classes from his church hall in Melksham, Wiltshire, the vicar has

> called upon Christians who indulge in the activity to 'examine

their

> consciences'.

> Yoga, he believes, is 'incompatible' with Christianity because of

> its associations with the Hindu faith. Even if followers in the

> west use yoga purely for fitness purposes, spirititual leaders in

> the east insist it is inseperable from Hindi devotioal practice, Mr

> Smith says.

> 'I would ask people who do yoga to think about they they believe

> they were in breach of their faith or not. If they genuinely

believe

> what they are doing is acceptable - and I know people that do - of

> course I would ask them to examine their consciences.'

> Mr Smith's comments came less than a year after fellow clergyman

> Richard Farr of St Mary's in Henham on the Essex-Hertfordshire

> border axed yoga sessions at his church hall because he feared the

> classes could make participants turn to eastern mysticism. The

> latest ban was immediately condemned by yoga enthusiasts who

> described it as 'ignorant'.

> Jane Hill of the British Wheel of Yoga said, 'It is not a religion

> and its doesn't push any version of one. I don't think it will

> affect his flock. He should have a more open mind.'

> The Church of England, defending Mr Smith's decision and backing

the

> right of clergymen to take a stand against practices which 'do not

> square with Christian teachings', and a spokesperson said, 'yoga is

> used as a kind of generic term for exercise and stretching but

there

> are many different types of yoga. Some have a more spiritual basis

> handed down from eastern religions. It is reasonably understanding

> that someone can say that they don't want someting with a spiritual

> basis to be taught in their church hall.

> The church was keen to promote good relations with other religions,

> the spokesperon added, but that did not involve being 'wishywashy

or

> mealy-mouthed about distinctions in faith'.

>

> End of piece.

[Guest guest]

I think this Vicar needs to examine HIS conscience. let's face it

whatever modern-day western christianity is preaching ain't working.

hence, the empty pews on sunday. hence, the full to capacity yoga

classes. it is your responsibility to yourself to follow what's going

to take you to the highest. to turn against THAT just b/c you were

born and raised in a christian tradition is certainly ignorant. i'm

catholic, went or was forced to go to mass every day of my young

life, and i'm sure there are wonderful things about catholicism but

truthfully i spent most sundays taking cat naps or drifting off into

fantasy land. i've learned more about spirituality in my 3 years of

yoga practice than i EVER learned in my first 18 years of life as a

God-fearing church-going catholic. would this upset my parents? you

bet! but ultimately i'm the one deciding my spiritual path. to do

otherwise is true sacrilege. AND those hindus got it right!!! so did

the christian mystics. and the buddhists. don't follow something just

b/c you "grew" up w/ it. how many enlightened beings do you see

walking around? obviously something needs to be challenged.