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Q&A: What is the controversy with Christianity and yoga?
Posted by the Editor on Mar 25, 2011 in FAQ | 20 comments
Question by pocky sticks: What is the controversy with Christianity and yoga?
People have been saying that being a Christian and doing yoga is dangerous.
Why is that?
Is it alright for me to use yoga as a tool to get in shape?
So as long as I use it JUST as a tool to get in shape, it’s alright?
Cause I really want to stick to my faith.
And the sarcastic answers are not appreciated so if you want to be sarcastic, then go be sarcastic somewhere else cause it is not welcome here.
Best answer:
Answer by Mooseseatto
The pope want’s you to remain inflexible.
What do you think? Answer below!
We don’t want our legs tied up in pretzels.
If people get pleasure out of it, it is a sin by proxy. That’s how Christianity works.
Is it alright for me to use yoga as a tool to get in shape? You bet you.
cause Yoga is of the devil
The physical exercise of yoga is fine. I do it myself and I’m a Christian. It is when you listen to the spiritual side of yoga; that is wrong.
Religion and flexibility just don’t mix……..
Because “Yoga” is not simply a few stretches, but an entire system of self development that includes a way of seeing reality that cannot be reconciled with any Abrahamic religion.
Well this is new. Haven’t heard this one. I think it is perfectly “Christian” to do an exercise that puts you further in contact with your “center” or soul. What the heck is this anti-yoga pseudo “Christian” claim based on?
Junk.
You need to chant certain mantras to Hindu deities while doing yoga, which is objectionable.
.
Yoga originated with a blatantly anti-Christian philosophy, and that philosophy has not changed. It teaches one to focus on oneself instead of on the one true God. It encourages its participants to seek the answers to life’s difficult questions within their own conscience instead of in the Word of God. It also leaves one open to deception from God’s enemy, who searches for victims that he can turn away from God (1 Peter 5:8).
Do they honestly think that if you do it to get in shape, even to meditate, that we’re buying into Hinduism or Islam? What’s wrong with these people?
True yoga goes beyond simple physical exercises, it also claims to develop the spiritual side of humans using hindu meditation techniques.
Oh it was on the 700 club the other day. Pat Robertson said it was “pagan.”
I wonder if Pat thinks about the orgins of Christmas, as it is pagan. And the festival of Ishtar (or Easter) is pagan.
I guess Pat can sprinkle the blood of Jesus on those pagan things he likes, and evidently he doesn’t like yoga.
Yoga Endangers Christianity
You cannot practice two religions at the same time. The fundamentals of yoga are not christian. If you are doing the poses in order to exercise that is not bad though. `
Hinduism is marked by the worship and belief in many forms of “God.” There are nearly 330 million deities in the Hindu belief structure making it difficult to define a major belief system.
Hinduism teaches Salvation by (Moksha) 3 Paths to Moksha:
Through Karma Yoga a system of works guided by the “Code of Manu” with strict rituals and duties throughout life.
Through Jnana Yoga a way of knowledge. Through deep meditation (yoga) one realizes their oneness with the divine Brahman overcoming ignorance (Avidya).
Through Bhakti Yoga that is devotion to one of the many gods and goddesses of Hinduism. This is self-surrender, worship (Puja), participation in the many religious festivals, and pilgrimages to one of the numerous holy sites in India.
III). A Biblical Response to Hinduism.
There is but ONE God!
“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
(1 Corinthians 8:5-6 KJV)
For man to be God is Satan’s original lie!
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV)
Man CANNOT earn or “realize” salvation through any works, meditation, or worship of created images.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
(Titus 3:5 KJV)
Believers in the Bible cannot handle or believe in Spirituality. There is something sinister there and it is worth looking into, you will discover another contradiction and therefore a fallacy in your beliefs. Yoga is a wonderful way to keep physically and therefore mentally.
It’s fine, there’s no conflict. Those who say there is a conflict don’t know enough of their Christianity, and nothing about Buddhism. Therefore, since they don’t know, they’re not in a position to give an educated conclusion, are they?
Don’t be fooled by bad religion! Doing yoga will increase your love for god and your love for your neighbours, and these are the pillars of christianity.