That's Fit

That is were you are wrong. Yoga has it's roots in ancient indian
religion and was initially used as meditation to come closer to the
gods. You are right that it is a guess that people do not know what
they are talking about. On the contrary these parents regardless of
your lack of knowledge have done their research and value their
children's spiritual wellbeing more then some passing phase. They do
care about their kids more then your shortsightedness would ever let
you understand.

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In this NYT article on the question of "christianizing" yoga, an expert indicates that yoga can't really be separated from Hinduism:

"There is an element of superficiality or hypocrisy there," said Subhas R. Tiwari, a professor of yoga philosophy and meditation at the Hindu University of America in Orlando, Fla. "To try to take Hinduism or aspects of Hinduism outside of yoga is an affront. It's an act of insincere behavior."

If a believing Hindu scholar says that yoga is religious in nature, I don't think it's right to disrespect the parents in B.C. who say the same thing. This is not a simple issue.

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This is not a simple issue.

In this article on the question of "christianizing" yoga (originally from the NYT), an expert indicates that yoga can't really be separated from Hinduism:
http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?type=ARTICLES&id=1128279248

---quote---

"There is an element of superficiality or hypocrisy there," said Subhas R. Tiwari, a professor of yoga philosophy and meditation
at the Hindu University of America in Orlando, Fla. "To tr y to take
Hinduism or aspects of Hinduism outside of yoga is an affront. It's
an act of insincere behavior."

---end quote---

If a believing Hindu scholar says that yoga is religious in nature, I don't think it's right to disrespect the parents in B.C. who say the same thing.

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my guess is the parents that compare yoga to devil worship either dont really know what they're talking about or they just want to make sure their child lives a short, emotionally painful life. im glad they care so much about their kids.

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And these are probably the same Christians who take their Christmas decorations down on the 27th, not celebrating all 12 days, or the same Christians who judge others, or the same Christians who pledge to love all others. They obviously don't have full decks.

Yes, Heaven forbid our children learn about the world by learning about other cultures, religions, and beliefs! I'm so thankful they are teaching their children to be close-minded, paranoid people. ::rolling eyes::

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Before you rush to demonize these parents, you ought to inform your readers that there actually are many practitioners and teachers (yogis?) who incorporate a strong religious component into their practice and instruction of yoga. I agree that not all yoga is antithetical to the Christian religion, but I don't think you're in any position to judge which variety is being taught in these schools. And try to refrain from the Christian-as-ignorant-boob stereotype. It's offensive.

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you know, you will always get someone that believes that everything in everyday life is related to the devil. If they could get their face out of the bible and not take it so literally and look around and actually talk to people and try to understand and help people, maybe then the christian faith can grow in love and understanding the way Christ would have wanted it. Yoga is an exercise and unless you go to India and practice it in some cave then it is nothing more than a great flexibility exercise. by the way yes, i am a christian, baptist in case you were wondering

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That is were you are wrong. Yoga has it's roots in ancient indian religion and was initially used as meditation to come closer to the gods. You are right that it is a guess that people do not know what they are talking about. On the contrary these parents regardless of your lack of knowledge have done their research and value their children's spiritual wellbeing more then some passing phase. They do care about their kids more then your shortsightedness would ever let you understand.

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You know, it's things like this that give Christians a bad name. These parents are complete idiots and their stupidity and small-mindedness reflect badly on other Christians. It's a shame they can't do a little research before condemning something they obviously know nothing about. The very idea that Yoga, the practice or teachings, is in ANY way connected with the devil is ludicrous. These parents have just proven to the world how ignorant they truly are. I sure wish they weren't so quick to call themselves Christians, makes the rest of us look bad!

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i know that most parents only want the best for their children... but since when does banning something make children LESS interested in it? i know that as a nanny, banning children from things only makes them more interested in it.

WHATEVER you believe, you should just talk with your children about it.

also, interestingly enough, soccer was banned in the 1300's because king edward believed that it was a sport "from which many evils may arise, which God forbid"...

it is funny how our ideas of things change as we open our minds to them... and sometimes we discover that we can learn and grow and become better people from them.

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This is not a simple issue, and I think Martha isn't doing it justice by putting words into the parents' mouth ("Yoga is the same as the devil").

This NYT article (posted on a Hindu site) quotes a professor at a Hindu university in Florida who says that yes, yoga is specifically a Hindu practice:
http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?type=ARTICLES&id=1128279248

So the parents in B.C. cannot be criticized out of hand for their concern.

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Yoga, as almost everyone now knows, is for harmony of mind and spirit. It is the first step towards going within yourself to discover the divine. Now, does the Divine have a religion? Do we have to bring everything down to our petty level? And, in case all of you have forgotten, Jesus did say that the Kingdom of God was within you. Devils are only in the mind!

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