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29 Comments
September 29, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Are you kidding me, that there are some pastors out there like padgitt.I agree with Macarthur that christians should NOT do yoga.People do yoga to relieve stress, if a christian needs things outside of Jesus to relieve them from stress,or put them in peace then there is something wrong.You dont need yoga,you need God.
September 30, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Padgitt is one of many pastors out there who are part of this movement which is throwing away the importance of doctrine and biblical truth. it replaces historical chrisianity with a new “feel good”, “all-embracing” religion. it rejects the authority of scripture and uses modern philosophy and therapy to “save” people from something that apparently isnt hell or wrath because they dont really believe in that either.
September 30, 2007 at 6:24 pm
sad,real sad
September 30, 2007 at 6:25 pm
I decided to stop on by hoping to see some significant discourse with this issue. Outside of Elizabeth and Daniel weighing in I sure hope more respond.
Having stated that, here’s my reasoning: Most people in the West, or just about anywhere for that matter, DO NOT associate yoga with semblance of religion, spiritually, or theology. Seriously, why should they? I have a couple of hypotheticals to run past anyone who reads them:
Yoga, as I understand it is a discipline that involves the entire musco-skeletal arrangement of our bodies; in addition, as I understand yoga there is also a mental discipline that is very similar to meditation.
Predicated upon this understanding, I find it ludicrous to remotely think that the practice would not be in harmony with Christianity. Consider if you will: Christ asks us to pray, pray, and pray. Prayer from the ancient Greek language means the same as meditation. Moreover, when Jesus left the “gang” behind, that was his time; furthermore, Jesus mentions the notion of meditation to his disciples.
The only other notion I have is in the area of health. The jury went out, deliberated, and has since come back with a verdict: Research data clearly supports that in practicing yoga one is in better physical condition and their bodies are better off than before they started. This is the same notion that I bring forth with folks joining a gym or working out. In fact, many runners feel that “runner’s high” which is really releasing of dopamine, interferons, and other naturally made protein based substances within our bodies.
Not even religious fanatics will argue against going to a gym or on a run to stay in shape. My belief system calls for me to maintain mental discipline while I focus on the word of God and especially in prayer; indeed, throughout the New Testament, the apostle Paul continues to remind us about the race, fighting the good fight, all the while keeping our minds and bodies focused on the prize. Now if yoga somehow gets in the way of this—then I’d agree that it’s against my beliefs. However, as I see it, we are encouraged to engage in natural things that make us better believers. And if focusing during prayer or God’s word whilst in a yoga position, all the more!
September 30, 2007 at 7:58 pm
if a christian needs things outside of Jesus to relieve them from stress,or put them in peace then there is something wrong.
Other things Elizabeth apparently thinks Christians should not indulge in: chocolate, hot baths, spas, massages, good food, hugs, …
September 30, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Many poor, yet sincere, Christians have been duped by this Demonic, Hindhu ritual. (I know others who use acupuncture, etc.)
September 30, 2007 at 10:14 pm
dear onemorecup,
thanks for your response. i do believe yoga interferes with Christian beliefs. just check out.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga …and you’ll see yoga might help you believe….but not in the christian God.
September 30, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Hey Daniel,
I appreciate what you’ve got to say, and when it comes to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, well there is nothing on this planet that could ever and will ever change my dedication, devotion, love, and complete surrender to His lordshp over my life.
Yet I do believe that if something that is tried and true and coming from God’s word, I try not to engage in all the bells and whistles that go along with what some people actually believe. No compromises!
Thanks my brother in Christ,
Onemorecup
PS I’ve also had a problem with anything “wiki” “wicca” or “wikka” now that’s something I need to deal with. Cheers!!
September 30, 2007 at 11:06 pm
[...] sin? Can Christians do Yoga? Earlier tonight I happened upon a blog that asked the question: “Should Christians do Yoga?” I will only presume that this was based on a short imported video featuring Dr. John Macarthur of [...]
October 1, 2007 at 3:05 pm
thanks onemorecup. im glad that you dont want to compromise with scripture. grace and peace bro
October 1, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Chocolate,hot baths,etc is not wrong but when you make it your source of peace,your source of joy thats wrong because your relying on the chocolate or the hot bath etc. to put you in a state of peace.When normal people eat chocolate [I do] it doesnt relieve me from stress,I do not eat it to make me feel better from problems in my life, it doesnt play a major role in the process of my problem getting solved,Jesus is the one that helps truly.
October 2, 2007 at 5:21 am
Elizabeth, I love you position in this debate. Standing true and strong my sister.
In terms of Yoga, I don’t believe it is “wrong”. It was and is practiced by Hindus, but I do not believe that it punctures the Christian faith. I agree with Daniel and McCarthur that we must rely on the Word to gain strength and freedom and relief, however, I don’t believe Yoga interfers with the faith in any way.
Great conversation stirring up here and wonderful blogsite Danny!
See you in school and God bless you all my brothers and sisters,
Christian
October 2, 2007 at 2:56 pm
thanks for commenting Chris. but i dont understand how you can agree with both me and McArthur and still think yoga is okay. if you watched the video clip you would’ve seen that McArthur was the pastor that thought christians shouldnt do yoga and Padgitt thought it was permissible for christians. yoga isnt just some exercise position but actually a form of worship to pantheistic gods.
October 2, 2007 at 7:15 pm
yes, but even McCarthur said it, if you view it as exercise and are a strong enough Christian, it shouldn’t interfere!!! Also, Hindus most likely recited something or sent praises to their gods. Modern-day yoga is almost completely different, excluding praise of any kind. It doesn’t have to be use to praise, but indeed helps the body…
like I said, the scriptures are most important, but modern day yoga isn’t exactly harmful to the faith!
October 3, 2007 at 2:30 pm
i still think its dangerous. not so much the yoga, (although i still disagree with it strongly) but the mentality behind it. if christians start picking and choosing practices which are essential in other religions where will that lead? i know you will probably draw the line somewhere but many christians will be deceived and their spirituality will assimilate to something non-christian. unless you establish a biblical methodology pertaining to how you will seek God or evangelize the inevitable will be to create your own methods or adopt someone elses. plus, christians have dealt with eastern religions as long as christianity’s history. theres a good reason why all true christians in the past never adopted pantheistic concepts or practices, and remember that many christians in the past dealt with this up close and personal (unlike the west) because many lived in Asia Minor and in some parts of the east. i think the mentality that opens up christianity to use other religion’s practices interchangeably is a deadly one. the bible always talks about seperating one’s self from the world, that includes the many religions and philosophies of the world. if we open the doors to yoga, down the road….what other things will we open the door to? the book of Daniel is extremely relevant. Israel had been captured by Babylonia and they took prisoners and slaves as exiles. Daniel and the other young Jewish boys were in that group of exiles. we should all learn from the way those Hebrew boys dealt with Babylonian culture. if we open the doors and let our guard down pretty soon there will no longer be Christianity but a mix and blend of spirituality.
October 24, 2007 at 10:03 am
Respected sir ,
I am unable to understand about yogas teachings. kindly send me more about yoga vs christianity
October 24, 2007 at 2:07 pm
im no expert in yoga but i do know that it goes against Christian teachings. if you want to read up on it… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga
May 30, 2008 at 7:10 am
Yoga is dangerous. There are many exercises mixed into it. But basically it is focused onto meditation and to take control of one’s mind. For Christians or anyone it is the Holy Spirit who has to guide us if you are true to Jesus. The evil one is crafty and will try to take the mankind to his Kingdom. we have to very watchful.
Also,there is no strong Christian, like that. It is because of the Grace of the Lord we are saved. We have to keep ourself from all evil, and then the King with His Grace will take us to be with Him
This is the end times. Deceptions will come. But the crown is kept for the one who is faithful to the end.
July 4, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Jesus did yoga. He studied with a guru in the Himalayas. Christianity (and every other religion) arose from the vedas and the upanishads, which are also the foundations of yoga. Yoga is not a religion. The entirety of the teachings and practices of Jesus is based on YOGA.
July 8, 2008 at 11:38 am
If anyone doubts the religious connection with Yoga, read Julie’s comment above (minus the nonsense she wrote about Jesus.) Christianity and Yoga are incompatible.
August 5, 2008 at 2:13 am
Seriously? Well I hate to be the one to break it to ya, but Christianity has bigger things to worry about than a few breathing and streching excercises!!!
I have tried yoga, as a form of excercise. I personally prefer more active sports, such as running, aerobics and dance, but there is nothing wrong whatsoever with modern day yoga IF practiced right. And to say that yoga is wrong, you must first understand fully what it is and understand that there are MANY different types of yoga. Too many to list in fact. The types and styles of Yoga that are taught in gyms, don’t involve chanting or spirit worship or any of that. And yes, it IS all about the state of mind. As in; if you practice yoga for exercise, that is what you will get. If you practice it to experience something religious, I’m sure you could get that also. It’s just like going to church. You can go to church every day for a month but unless you believe, WANT to believe, WANT to build your relationship with God, it won’t be beneficial to you.
“if christians start picking and choosing practices which are essential in other religions where will that lead?” Ummmm….FYI they do that already.
I am a Christian. I believe in God as my lord and saviour. I believe in the Bible as my guide in life. However I do not associate myself with any one denomination. Simply because I’ve seen from experience how hypocrytical they can be. Consider, if you will, the denominations of Protestant Christianity:
Baptists, Anabaptist, Calvinism, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicanism,Adventists, Pentecostalism, Puritans, Methodists, Mennonites, and the many many many different “churches” within those denominations. And everyone believes that they’re right and everyone else is wrong and on the path to hell.
Well. Let’s let God be the judge of that shall we?
Watch this and you will be enlightened:
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
August 18, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I just want to stretch and feel relaxed after dealing with my boys and (husband) but if I heard them saying weird stuff…the Holy Spirit helps me discern things and I will no longer participate as with anything in this earth we live in. What about Christmas…why do we as Christians celebrate that which is a heathen made event that we like to say is Jesus birthday but are we not really idolizing a special day? instead of 365 days of the year thanking God for Jesus birth, death and resurrection? Why worry that people arent’ saying “Merry Christmas” when Jesus never taught that? Why do Christians “pay” tithes when it’s not biblical that you have to tithe 10% off your gross or else you are robbing God. Remember no thieves will inheret the kingdom of God so are they saying we go to hell? Too many rituals that Christians have on each other and we do not give credit to each other for the same Holy Spirit living in them…..love ya
August 27, 2008 at 12:55 am
I have tried yoga 3 times and I did like it except for the awkward breathing exercises. I didn’t feel anything spiritual happening and I didn’t empty my mind when the instructor said to think of nothing. I was looking into doing yoga regulary to keep myself healthy and fit and I didn’t think much of the spiritual aspect of it until my friend was telling me about it.
So I’ve been doing my own research and I have come to a conclusion. Looking at the physical aspect of yoga and all its benefits of making you feel relaxed and at “peace” and feel calm and healthy and all that are good…………..BUT after finding out that each of the yoga postures are all different offerings to be accepted by one of the Hindu gods (however many they are)…..I just don’t want any part in it. Yoga is basically a form of sacrifing your body to worship hindu gods. So as a Christian…even though I did like my experience with Yoga and didn’t feel anything ruining my faith in Christ as I was doing the postures….I just don’t want to be a part of something that was created to praise any other gods but my God. So i’ve decided not to ever do yoga again and find another way to be healthy.
Hope my comment has helped you in some way. It is basically your choice if you want to continue doing yoga or not, Christian or not Christian….I personally just don’t want to do anything that will give the devil a foothold….and I believe that by doing these yoga postures….we are opening a door for th enemy to do his evil works in our lives.
thanks for reading.
<3anabella
September 28, 2008 at 10:08 pm
This is the most ridiculious blog that I have ever read in my entire life. Should Christians do yoga? Now that is a new one. I would not even be reading this if it weren’t for my Christianity paper. I have to say (just for the record, I go to a Catholic College and we do yoga in the chapel….how ironic?? (at least according to you people). I love the fact that some of you have such strong opinions, but seriously… “Chocolate,hot baths,etc is not wrong but when you make it your source of peace,your source of joy thats wrong because your(you’re) relying on the chocolate or the hot bath etc. to put you in a state of peace”-Elizabeth *learn to spell hun..* So yes. Yoga does put you in a state of peace but guess what, peace allows you to focus your mind and talk with God. Now, isn’t it amazing? We can pray to God and do something good for our bodies at the same time…which btw I am sure that chocolate isn’t doing anything for your figure or overall health- gluttony is a sin after all. :-p So overall, it is absolutly ridiculious that a person, especially aChristian (who God told to love everyone) can possibly judge people for doing yoga. So try it sometime and feel the fog float out of your brain, and thank the lord that you can possibly be so happy to be alive. Then, go and do something with your life, go volunteer instead of debating the interference with Yoga and Christianity. Spread the word of the lord!
God Bless,
Sarah
*And way to go Ruth!!
October 4, 2008 at 6:21 am
I am having a vacation with my sisters here in Oregon. I have been a yoga teacher for over 12 years and offered to do a session with them. One was okay with it, but my other sister stated it was against her religion. This lead to an interesting discussion. As a Christian myself, it had never bothered me. I have studied various styles of yoga with various teachers and understand that many of the chants and teachings are obviously pagan. Many have not translated these from the sanskrit, and no Christian should be repeating these words and the thoughts that go with them.
I have chosen not to use these and have developed my own chanting routines based, for the most part, on the chants of the Benedictine Monks.
There are many admonitions both OT and NT that instruct us to avoid occult practices. I have also been involved with Benedictine Monks who fast and pray and meditate on the Lord.
My question is what is the difference with breath and stretch exercises and even classic yoga poses that calm the mind, bring health to the body, and venerate the lord. If praying the Rosary is not chant and meditation, what do you call it?
November 24, 2008 at 1:57 am
Well, well, well….
I see we’re still getting a fair bit of attention with this matter.
If anyone cares to critically read my post–third from the top–I make a point of stipulating “In the West…”
Please my friends, including Sarah, the ‘Yoga’ practiced in the Western cultures has very little if anything to do with religion or spirituality. I thought I made that point clear.
If a person chooses to partake in a discipline that is contrary to Scripture and the teachings of our Lord, well that’s up to them. However, on the other hand, if a person has no knowledge of the Indus Valley or Hindu’s, or those spiritualities that utilize ‘Yoga’ as part of their worship and/or praise or ‘enlightment’ that’s up to them as well.
The critical point being made here is in the notion of mission, motive, and method. As I stated previously–In Western cultures, or the ‘Malibu Elite, Beverly Hills Social Club, or what have you–if they know nothing about ‘Yoga’ as a religious practice (and I am convinced that they don’t!) heck, call it ‘Agoy’ and those individuals partake in the nuances and fads of the day…so be it.
I hasten to remind anyone or everyone who is reading this to remember: The Lord instructs us to not ‘pray as those [looking to be seen], yet go into the inner room (our hearts, away from distraction?) and go on about our coversations with God. Cheers!
Thank you once again,
jp aka onemorecup
January 8, 2009 at 3:47 pm
onemorecup:
Ummmmmmmmmm – that’s western yoga talk for “AMEN BROTHER!”
I sure hope none of these “Christians” are idolatrous in their computer usage.
March 30, 2009 at 10:56 am
I think 1 Corinthians 8 fits right in with this subject, in that if it bothers someone to do yoga or makes them feel guilty because of its connection with Hinduism (which doesn’t matter anyway because their is only one God) than they shouldn’t do it; on the other hand, if someone does yoga, (or eats food sacrificed to idols) and it does not make them fall into sin, then what is the problem if their relationship with Jesus Christ is just as strong as before, if not stronger?
April 6, 2009 at 10:16 am
You all have got to be kidding me!! Hinduism is not DEMONIC religion!! Oh come on!! If you feel that way then so is the Jewish faith.
Is it because you might think for yourself?
Yoga is good for the body. Meditation is good for the mind and the body. Something that has been proven to help humans, the zealots condemn. “If it’s good for you then God must be against it.” I have never been able to wrap my mind around that way of thinking. Buddhism is not a demonic religion and neither is Wicca (they don’t believe in demons so they can’t be accused of worshipping them.) or many others. I think the only demonic religion is satanism. I am whole heartedly against that. Enlightenment is not a sin. Relaxing and becoming clear in your mind isn’t either.
Fear is the biggest demonic force of all and I see it running rampant here.
Be open, hold fast to your beliefs but keep an open mind.