Hypothetical regarding what we consider eastern things.

[Chris.]

For a long time as a way of staying out of trouble before I do something I weigh up the worst possible scenario and the most likely do decide if I will do something I am unsure of.


I thought we can do this in relation to a christian encountering modern day eastern things or what we commonly refer to eastern Indian or chinese traditional medicines that once formed part of an ancient religion found in our modern society in relation to christianity.


Here it is..

A faithful christian who wont change beliefs about Jesus goes to a yoga class and there is an eastern god idol there. They think it is pretty tragic little idol and laugh at the concept of anyone reveres carved trees. Nobody there acknowledges the idol in any way as it is only decoration. They return return to the yoga class a few times for the exercise factor alone.

What is the worst possible outcome and what is the most likely outcome? Will their status as saved believer change?

Will they be physically spiritually or mentally harmed?


A Christian engages in acupuncture as a job which utilises meridians or chinese energy traditions to heal. How will this be the undoing of this christian?

I don't want to focus here on what is right and wrong but solely on the outcome of a Christian doing either task and its most likely and worst case.
The christian in question will never follow other Gods or be swayed. He or she constantly prays and reads his bible. They believe they are under grace and not bound by legalism. they know their God is stronger than any other.

 

[DarkHorseRising]

A faithful christian who wont change beliefs about Jesus goes to a yoga class and there is an eastern god idol there. They think it is pretty tragic little idol and laugh at the concept of anyone revering carved trees. Nobody there acknowledges the idol in any way as it is only decoration. They return return to the yoga class a few times for the exercise factor alone.

What is the worst possible outcome and what is the most likely outcome? Will their status as saved believer change?

Will they be physically spiritually or mentally harmed?

Being in the vicinity of a worshiped object without acknowledging it in any way shouldn't have an effect. Some cultures worship the sun, others worship nature, trees, or mountains. It could be argued that secularists worship money and possessions. Unless you live your life in your basement, you're going to encounter objects of other religions.

I don't really know enough about acupuncture to have a strong opinion, but if they've been recommended the treatment by a reputable physician and are approaching it as such, I don't see a bad side.

 

[Chris.]

Ha I went to a yoga class and saw one of those idols it was a rat god one. It didn't hurt me at all and nothing changed in my life. I just cant take those things seriously they make me laugh, carved trees don't hurt much or help much.

 

[Chris.]

Bump thread. I am interested to see what people come up with here and especially in worst case.

 

[Former Christian]

Chris

you created the scenario and the boundaries. Kind of a setup if you ask me. As the bible says, idols are meaningless, unless someone wishes to give them meaning. It's like any other inanimate object. I happen to like oriental objects of art. I have several. They include scenes of Chinese religion. But I see no reason to be influenced by that. Any more than a Buddhist would be influenced by a beautiful autumn picture of a Vermont town, the center of which is a Christian Church.

NC

 

[Chris.]

Chris

you created the scenario and the boundaries. Kind of a setup if you ask me. As the bible says, idols are meaningless, unless someone wishes to give them meaning. It's like any other inanimate object. I happen to like oriental objects of art. I have several. They include scenes of Chinese religion. But I see no reason to be influenced by that. Any more than a Buddhist would be influenced by a beautiful autumn picture of a Vermont town, the center of which is a Christian Church.

NC

I started this and I guess it was the best scenario plot I could think of because it is indicitive of most established christians how their faith would be. I know some people warn of this stuff and I thought this might be an opportinity to show what consequences might be. I tried not to make it so there couldnt be consequences but how it could affect a normal christian. It is more than a passing interest to me as I know some people this could affect and this was why I posted this. If it has bad consequences I can avoid it or warn others. I am looking for peoples exeriences from first hand experience to listen to. I know I could google it but it is not quite the same.

 

[jasoncran]

i cant as i have dabbled with the occult and its started ironically from such innocent things. i have disposotion to be in the occult.so if i saw that idol. bye-bye for me.

 

[Chris.]

Lol the only temptation it would have for me is to use it to weigh a crab trap down in the river.

 

[jasoncran]

Lol the only temptation it would have for me is to use it to weigh a crab trap down in the river.

it all started with ki breathing. which yoga has some of that aspects. agian its up to the person to decide. when teach the arts agian i will make sure the believers and sinners know clearly that i dont believe in ki and its junk.