Two vicars in Britain have kicked off a minor storm by disallowing yoga classes for mothers and children in their churches, claiming that the ancient exercise method is “un-Christian”. “I explained to the church that my yoga is a completely non-religious activity. Some types of adult yoga are based on Hindu and Buddhist meditation but it’s not a part of the religion and there is no dogma involved,” said yoga instructor Louise Woodcock.
However, the Reverend Simon Farr of the Silver Street Baptist Church said: “We are a Christian organisation and when we let rooms to people we want them to understand that they must be fully in line with our Christian ethos. Clearly, yoga impinges on the spiritual life of people in a way which we, as Christians, don’t believe is the same as our ethos.”
And Reverend Tim Jones of St. James‘ Church said: “Any alternative philosophies or beliefs are offering a sham—and at St James’s Church we want people to have the real thing. The philosophy of yoga cannot be separated from the practice of it, and any teacher of yoga, even to toddlers, must subscribe to the philosophy.
Questions: Although it originates as a spiritual practice in India and finds mention as part of Hindu philosophy in all the sacred texts, is yoga a tradition that only Hindus must practice? Although the two vicars do not represent the Church in its entirety, are the hundreds of thousands of non-Hindus who flock to India to learn it here, and those who practice it in their own lands, making a mistake, comitting an apostasy? And even if Yoga is rooted in Hinduism, is it so wrong and so difficult for one religion, any religion, to accept what is good in other religions?
I once saw a book floating around in workplace where an Indian christain defines Yoga unchristain and goes on to say why. Guess the paranoia is that it is sought of linked with spirituality and a christain will worry that if that is accepted, than it rivals their teaching. Though most christains I know wouldn’t worry but guess some are bound to make a case against it. Guess, one can often be a Buddhist or Hindu… and still ‘beleif’ in the sayings of Christ, & others? But its typically difficult the other way round. Though it should not be, for at the basic level I guess Buddhism & Hinduism is a way of life. Just my observation. No firm opinion.
I do agree, to an extent, that yoga does not only have a mental/physical aspect, but also has a spiritual aspect to it.
However, I guess it’s important to realise that from a western P.O.V there is no distinction between Spirituality and Religion (Since the Judeo-Christian is the norm)…. however, from an Oriental standpoint, spirituality and religiosity, although braided together, can still be distinguished from one another. It is possible to be Spiritual and not Religious…or vice versa. Or to be both.
With this understanding of it, to me it looks much like a cyclonic depression in an afternoon cuppa’ tea.
For whatever reason they had, they should’ve said No..period. Now, they’ve really put their foot in their mouth. The P.R-guys of the Church Of England must be making life hell for those priests.
Dear All,
Also the unwillingness to give credit where it is due… That is Hindus devised Yoga and it is probably the most scientifically proven exercise regimen for both mind and body. Everybody knows it–but slow to credit Hinduism for things that improve everyones health, mental and physical.
On the other hand, chuck a few bombs and kill a few thousands of innocent folk, the World is ready to address their grievances!
We are a secular state. We should not talk about all this. We believe in only giving in, not taking or asking, which is non- secular! It is for the Left to decide. They can bark for some time. When they objected about foreigners in planning commission, but are ready to be governed by a foreigner without any mercy.
Well done Sonia madam. what next?
It reminds me of Shiv Sena opposing youth celbrating Velentine’s day.
I don’t see much difference in the content between Judaic religions. They all have contracts/covenants with a god that gives them exclusive rights to heaven and hereafter!! Any theories or contentions that may deny their special place in History is “false religion” or worse, the deception of Satan!!
And of course there are the periodic bouts of doing god’s work in the form of waging war and scalping unbelievers!! But, to be fair, such baby prattle is common to most organized religion: From the Christian church to the Hare Krishnas.
All Organized religions like to protect their turf from poaching as the stakes for the shareholders are high: the priests, gurus, imams all want to control your mind and of course your wallet. The whores sell their bodies and the men of religion peddle fantastic claims and cures to make a living. At least, the whores are a lot more honest.
Like what Melange says. Never let anyone or any one institution hijack ones journey with or to God or whatever power one believes in. If it supports, guides etc. good. But anything usurping your personal experiences is the end of days.
The questions posed in this articles are dumb. Yoga is a good thing and its beneficial effects have been proven in studies too (I think). And since it is a demonstrable technique which someone can learn for their benefit (like Tai Chi or Kung Fu etc.) and not religious cant and hocus pocus, the question of it being ‘attached’ to a belief does not arise.
Who cares about intolerant fools and their moral dilemmas. The vicars have to fight since their careers depend on people believing in an inflexible truth – they are defending their livelihood.
Some religions believe the route to heaven or happiness is their monopoly. So any thing other than what they believe is a taboo. It only shows their closed mind and dominance of rituals over the religion.
see, funda is actually very simple-when the yoga actually, originated on the earth (thousands of years ago)-there was no religion as hinduism or isalam or christianity .It is discovered by our ancestors so, as to live happily thereafter …
Yoga is for anyone for wants to practice it. It is a Hindu practice, but Hinduism does not require you to believe in God or anything specific. Like another poster said, there are Hindus and Buddhists who believe in Christ. We’re free to believe what we want.
The only problem is for Christians and Muslims. They regard Hinduism and the other Dharmic religions and it’s practices as “pagan”