Yoga and Christianity

[starbyfar]

..yoga was never designed to be an exercise, yet alone an exercise “fadâ€Â. Rather, yoga is an ancient Hindu religious practice, intended to unite a person’s soul with the impersonal, universal force Hindus call “godâ€Â. The Hindu Sanskrit word “yoga†literally means to be yoked or joined in union. And the goal of every Hindu yogi is to use the religious practice of yoga to lose their personality and individuality and to become one with the monistic-pantheistic spiritual force of Hinduism. This is done through Hatha Yoga (the physical disciplines), where one seeks to call up what Hindus say is the Kundalini or spiritual force described as a “coiled white serpent of light†to aid them in their transcendence to impersonal spiritual monism.
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/secure/ ... icleID=178

I did a search for posts about yoga before posting this, but didnt find any so i'll go ahead and jumpstart this one.

How do you feel about Christians practicing yoga? My objection has always been based on the fact that the sole purpose of these contortionist exercises is because most Yogis were trying to invoke spirits, offer their bodies to these spirits, or prepare there bodies/minds to engage in the worship of their "gods".. something obviously as a follower of christ im not really interested in doing.. however, can yoga be separated from its roots?? can someone engage in yoga without being involved in the religious aspects of it?

along with that, i was also wondering how you guys felt about meditation? i read a compelling argument a while back about how christ doesnt teach us to "empty" our minds, but to stay focused on him and the scriptures.. which is kinda the opposite of meditation.. i know how i feel about these things, but whats your take?

 

[Guest]

Here are my thoughts.

If you are attempting to 'do' Yoga for the purpose that is was intended, then no - I do not believe you can remove it from Hinduism.

However, if you are doing Yoga for the purpose of excerise and increase flexibility - then yes - I believe you can do Yoga without the underlying beliefs of Hinduism ( a much misunderstood religion, especially here in the West). Do not get me wrong, I am not advocating Hinduism, rather I have taken the time to study it and understand it for the benefit of being able to relate and create a bridge to those that practice Hinduism.

What I do not like to see is people trying to claim "Christian Yoga" - Yoga is not Christian - do not try to make it as such. If you want to be a Christian and do Yoga - fine, but do not try to spiritualize it by calling it "Christian Yoga".

 

[Relic]

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Don't know why you couldn't find it. This topic has already been covered extensively, 8 very long pages.


Yoga And Christianity.What's Wrong About It ?
Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Next

http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=280492&highlight=#280492


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[waitinontheLamb]

We certainly would not practice blatant satanism for it's supposed benefits, if any could be found so why should we practice thinly veiled versions because it might help you stretch your muscles?

 

[Guest]

We certainly would not practice blatant satanism for it's supposed benefits, if any could be found so why should we practice thinly veiled versions because it might help you stretch your muscles?

Do you celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25th? Christ wasn't born on that date.

Do you celebrate Mother's Day or Father's day? These are not Scripturely given holidays.

Doing stretches is not promoting or following a 'satantic' religion.

 

[Solo]

Yoga is a philosophy which began around 500bc in India with hindu characteristics. It is new age and more than just stretching. Here is what Swami Krishnananda of the Divine Life Society writes about the philosophy of yoga.

http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/intro_00.html

There is no mention of Jesus in ole Swami's writings of the philosophy of yoga, just new age mumbo jumbo.

Jesus said, 30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30

If Jesus is telling the truth, which I know that he is, then the ole Swami is scattering and not gathering.

 

[Guest]

Yoga is a philosophy which began around 500bc in India with hindu characteristics. It is new age and more than just stretching. Here is what Swami Krishnananda of the Divine Life Society writes about the philosophy of yoga.

http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/intro_00.html

There is no mention of Jesus in ole Swami's writings of the philosophy of yoga, just new age mumbo jumbo.

Jesus said, 30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30

If Jesus is telling the truth, which I know that he is, then the ole Swami is scattering and not gathering.

And I would agree with you Solo - ole Swami is just scattering. Never said that I supported the philosophy of Hinduism.

 

[Solo]

And I would agree with you Solo - ole Swami is just scattering. Never said that I supported the philosophy of Hinduism.

Did not accuse you of supporting the philosophy of Hinduism, but I wanted to inform those that had questions concerning yoga that it is based on an antichristian philosophy. Christians would be better off meditating on the Word of God instead of a make-believe object of inner self majesty within the realm of nothing. :wink:

 

[waitinontheLamb]

Do you celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25th? Christ wasn't born on that date.

Do you celebrate Mother's Day or Father's day? These are not Scripturely given holidays.

Doing stretches is not promoting or following a 'satantic' religion.

Hogwash!

You and I both know where yoga comes from and what it's intent is. Using it today for simple stretches only lessens a persons convictions and makes it that much easier for them to dive in headlong.

Hollywood did not come right out with the filth they display today but desensitized us over decades. They started by eliminating God and then when we were without Him, they brought in the dirt and we accepted it.

A frog will boil to death contentedly as long as you increase the heat slowly.

 

[Guest]

Hogwash!

You and I both know where yoga comes from and what it's intent is. Using it today for simple stretches only lessens a persons convictions and makes it that much easier for them to dive in headlong.

Yes - there is both a 'spiritual' and 'physical' component to Yoga. I would suggest that it is possible to seperate the two. Just as we have seperated the original intent of Dec 25th from it's pagan roots.

 

[Solo]

Yes - there is both a 'spiritual' and 'physical' component to Yoga. I would suggest that it is possible to seperate the two. Just as we have seperated the original intent of Dec 25th from it's pagan roots.

I suppose you also believe that you can separate the 'spiritual' from the 'physical' at a satanic meeting whereby the 'physical' is your personal friendship with the members, but the 'spiritual' is the focal point of their worship.

The Bible determines upon us a different route. It tells us the following:

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

 

[Guest]

I suppose you also believe that you can separate the 'spiritual' from the 'physical' at a satanic meeting whereby the 'physical' is your personal friendship with the members, but the 'spiritual' is the focal point of their worship.

No, Solo - I do not believe that.

 

[Solo]

I suppose you also believe that you can separate the 'spiritual' from the 'physical' at a satanic meeting whereby the 'physical' is your personal friendship with the members, but the 'spiritual' is the focal point of their worship.

No, Solo - I do not believe that.

So if satan is more intelligent than you, and gets you to believe that a meeting is not satanic when it is, then you have been "GOTTEN", huh?! :wink:

 

[Guest]

So if satan is more intelligent than you, and gets you to believe that a meeting is not satanic when it is, then you have been "GOTTEN", huh?! :wink:

With that reasoning anyone could be 'gotten" :wink:

Therefore, I would suggest that we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to direct our path.

 

[Solo]

With that reasoning anyone could be 'gotten" :wink:

Therefore, I would suggest that we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to direct our path.

Exactly, so I wonder who you are listening to when you describe Yoga as simply stretching and not a demonic practice.

 

[Guest]

Exactly, so I wonder who you are listening to when you describe Yoga as simply stretching and not a demonic practice.

Why do Christians attempt to 'christianize' holidays that were once pagan practices?

I would suggest that with thanksgiving, everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer (1 Tim 4:4-5).

 

[Solo]

Why do Christians attempt to 'christianize' holidays that were once pagan practices?

I would suggest that with thanksgiving, everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer (1 Tim 4:4-5).

Christians do not worship the pagan deities when they give Jesus the honor and glory for what he has given mankind at his birth. The Bible is not specific as to when Jesus was born, but as one who used to be against the practice of Christmas, am now settled with giving my family the tradition of giving free gifts as God gave us a free gift in Jesus Christ, by loving giving more than recieving as is taught in the Scriptures, by reading the story of Jesus' birth and the angels heralding Good will towards men, with peace on earth, as well as sharing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the manifold blessings that God has given each of us.

Each day of the week is named after pagan Greek gods, Roman gods, and Anglo-Saxon gods. Do you use these days? Why?

Each month is named after pagan Greek and Roman mythology. Do you use the names of these months? Why?

What is the difference between using a day like Christmas or Easter in ones home or church to worship Jesus Christ, and taking yoga classes at a work out facility?

 

[Guest]

Christians do not worship the pagan deities when they give Jesus the honor and glory for what he has given mankind at his birth. The Bible is not specific as to when Jesus was born, but as one who used to be against the practice of Christmas, am now settled with giving my family the tradition of giving free gifts as God gave us a free gift in Jesus Christ, by loving giving more than recieving as is taught in the Scriptures, by reading the story of Jesus' birth and the angels heralding Good will towards men, with peace on earth, as well as sharing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the manifold blessings that God has given each of us.

Each day of the week is named after pagan Greek gods, Roman gods, and Anglo-Saxon gods. Do you use these days? Why?

Each month is named after pagan Greek and Roman mythology. Do you use the names of these months? Why?

What is the difference between using a day like Christmas or Easter in ones home or church to worship Jesus Christ, and taking yoga classes at a work out facility?

So, it seems that we ARE in fact able to divorce some things from their pagan roots and in turn give God the glory for it and use it for worship of Jesus Christ.

Maybe the same can be true of yoga?

 

[Solo]

So, it seems that we ARE in fact able to divorce some things from their pagan roots and in turn give God the glory for it and use it for worship of Jesus Christ.

Maybe the same can be true of yoga?

No, Yoga is a philosophy opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read this very carefully: Yoga is a philosophy/religion opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When one finds out the truth concerning yoga, one should divorce themselves from it.
When one finds out the truth concerning freemasonry, one should divorce themselves from it.
When one finds out the truth concerning unScriptural religious cults, one should divorce themselves from it.

 

[Guest]

No, Yoga is a philosophy opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read this very carefully: Yoga is a philosophy/religion opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When one finds out the truth concerning yoga, one should divorce themselves from it.
When one finds out the truth concerning freemasonry, one should divorce themselves from it.
When one finds out the truth concerning unScriptural religious cults, one should divorce themselves from it.

Yoga in and of itself - is not a philosophy or a religion. Yoga, traditionally, has been used by Hindus to help them with meditation.