Upward dog, or a downward spiral straight to Hell? That's the question posed by a popular Christian blogger in a recent viral post.
_"What is the point_of trying to re-purpose pagan worship for the sake of getting a nice workout?" decried blogger Matt Walsh on a recent blog post published by The Daily Wire. "What's wrong with just using an elliptical machine? You may perform the moves without consciously seekingthe demonic trance they were designed to help you attain, but it would seem you are playing, quite literally, with fire."
Walsh has managed to knock the calm out of millions of yoga-practicing Christians after insisting the ancient Hindu practice is no better than making life decisions based on your horoscope or conjuring spirits with a Ouija board.
"It's kind of amazing to see all of the Christians who think nothing of going to a yoga class. There are many excellent ways to get in shape that do not involve participating in Hindu worship," he wrote.
Dangerous for the Soul?
Walsh clarified that while breathing, stretching and being one with the universe is not in itself "an automatic pathway to Hell," he also claims his fellow Christian-turned-Yoga apologists aren't necessarily earning brownie points with their own true God either. This leaves them on a slippery moral slope. "We're looking to see how much we can get away with before it becomes explicitly dangerous to our souls," Walsh explains
The internet response was swift and predictably snarky. First, comedian Kumail Nanjiani jokingly warned about the dangers of yoga.
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/959118527566299136
Then the Church of Satan chimed in:
"One minute, you're in downward dog, and the next minute, you're ambushed by Ouija boards and accidentally become one with the universe. Can't be too careful these days," added another Twitter user.
Christians Respond
Not everyone is on board with Walsh's interpretation. Some of his fellow Christians engaged in a universal facepalm, lamenting yet another black eye on their faith due to Walsh's uninformed comments.
"I'm pretty sure God knows I'm all about yoga to get the kink out of my lower back and try to tone my fat body. My God is sharp enough to know there is not even a tad of idol worship but some straight up sweating and muscle burn," responded one woman.
"Honestly, it's opinions like this that give Christians a bad name," another user said.
So where does Walsh' criticism stem from? Yoga originated in ancient India, and does indeed incorporate some aspects of Hindu spiritual practice. But does it really represent a heretical assault on Christian values?
Why Yoga Is So Popular
Most people practice yoga for the tangible physical benefits increased flexibility, better balance, a toned physique. Others enjoy the spiritual aspects, too; among them are meditation, self-reflection, and the practice of "centering" oneself.
Doesn't sound very demonic, does it?
Not so fast, says Walsh. "If we follow the trajectory of yoga, we begin with pagan spiritualism, trace it through the anti-Christian counter-culture revolution, then sprinkle on a bunch of new age gibberish, and here we land with the modern day yoga class."
He scoffs at the notion of doing yoga for exercise, insisting there are much better ways to break a sweat and without betraying the Christian faith at that. In closing, Walsh asks readers to consider a frightening hypothetical in which yoga is actually an Islamic practice:
"There may be some physical benefits to bowing to Mecca five times a day. I'm sure you could get a nice lower back workout. But, of all the ways to exercise your back, why would you choose to prostrate yourself to Allah? Indeed, I wonder how the Christian yoga apologists would respond to a workout routine based around Muslim prayer?"
If Christians like Matt Walsh really are scared their religion will be supplanted by this demon-spreading exercise fad known as yoga, perhaps they'd do well to recognize what makes it popular in the first place. People like to challenge themselves both physically and mentally -- and yoga provides an opportunity to simultaneously exercise the body and the mind.
Haven't the world's major religions been borrowing popular traditions and customs from one another for centuries? Maybe instead of the typical sit-stand-sit-stand routine common in Christian churches, pastors might consider incorporating more movement into the service.
What about a group hymnal performed while the whole congregation does lunges? Or a Bible recitation done while balancing on one foot?
Could be worth a shot.
80 comments
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Tom B
Joseph...Matt Walsh should have been engaging in meditation, before coming out with this position...i would like to know if he seriously tried yoga, before taking this position, and whether he has the same opinion about chiropractic adjustments...Tom
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Rev paul
I use yoga meditations and I'm not demon possesed
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Tom B
Rev paul...exactly...the "demonic" statement is similar to taking the position that catastrophic weather events are satanical...Peace...Tom
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Rev. Gary Shade
I prefer Tai Chi. It's a form of meditation in it's slow movement state and an awesome form martial art for self-defense. Yoga is fine... but I doubt I'd look good in Yoga pants.
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Wendy
With the right top, yoga pants work for anyone.
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The Doctor
Id suggest tai fisherman pants, they are very popualr with both yoga and martial artists. You can find them for abotu 10 bucks a pair on amazon in one size fits most in all sorts of colors in nice hand woven rough cotton.
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Carl Elfstrom
Why wear anything at all. When your with your god do yo think he sees your clothes? If you aren't seeking a mate sky clad is the way.
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Theresa
Ways to break a sweat is not what Yoga is all about. I would have to say that this gentleman doesn't know what yoga is. Ignorance abounds in this person.
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drrgrivera
THIS IS THE IGNORANCE....WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE FOR AS LONG AS HUMAN BEINGS AND THEIR INTERESTS EXIST HERE ON OUR BEAUTIFUL AND DANGEROUS PLANET EARTH.
IGNORANCE IS A DISEASE THAT AN UNTOLD NUMBER OF PEOPLE DIE NEVER KNOWING THE EXTENT OF ITS GRIP ON THEM AND THAT WE DO NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO BREAK FREE FROM IT THROUGH LEARNING ALL THERE IS TO LEARN.
WE'RE ALL STARVING KNOWLEDGE-WISE.
DEMONS ARE THE BYPRODUCTS OF THIS MOST WORSE MENTAL ILLNESS KNOWN AS IGNORANCE. IT IS A DISEASE MANY PROTECT UNTIL THE DAY THEY DIE. EVERYTHING WE DEFEND AS TRUTH, IS A LIE AND A SYMPTOM OF IGNORANCE. A DISEASE ELIMINATED BY OUR DAY OF DEATH.
WHILE WE LIVE, WE WILL ALWAYS LIE AGAINST ANOTHER WITH WHATEVER WE THINK TRUTH. THIS DISEASE MAKES IT INCONCEIVABLE THAT WE ARE ALL LYING, WHILE WE EXIST IN THIS HUMAN CONDITION.
RECOGNIZING THIS ONLY MEANS, THE HEALING HAS BEGUN AND NOT THAT YOU HAVE THE TRUTH. WHEN WE HAVE THE TRUTH, WE ALL KNOW EVERYTHING.
THE DEMONS ARE WITHIN YOUR OWN BRAIN WHERE THE DISEASE IGNORANCE IS THEIR CAUSE
I DO NOT EXPECT PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THIS I'VE POSTED. I CAN NOT HEAL THEIR DISEASE. I TOO AM ASSAULTED BY IGNORANCE
OUR CREATOR WHO ALONE SPEAKS THE TRUTH BECAUSE HE ALONE AND NO OTHER....IS TRUTH, KNOWS THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS WE ARE TOO FEEBLE TO EQUATE WITH.
ULTIMATELY, PEOPLE AGAINST PEOPLE USING OUR IGNORANCE: PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS. ALL OF THEM LIES AGAINST LIES.
WE CAN DO MANY GOOD THINGS WITH THESE LIES. IT'S WHAT THE HUMAN CONDITION FEEDS OFF OF. THE TRUTH IS NOT FOUND ON EARTH...ONLY LIES.
WE LIE ABOUT THE TRUTH EVERY MOMENT WE THINK AND OPEN OUR MOUTH OR TYPE IT..
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Rev. Nagi Mato
What are you yelling about Doc?
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J’oserai
Caps lock off there, friend. You can say what you need to without being a town crier.
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Carl Elfstrom
There are many truths to everything depending on one's point of view. "All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we shall become"---The Buddha. DrRGRivera sounds like a prime candidate for becoming a member of a twelve step program, where they'll teach him all about honesty and being true to himself. "Resolve not to be overcome by evil, but to combat evil with good." ---Pope Francis. "Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall." ---Confucius "We must expect great things of ourselves before we can do them." ---Michael Jordan "Be the change you want to see in the world." ---The Dalai Lama If that crackpot thinks non-christian sources are demonic what about the sources I just quoted. They all sound like Good Orderly Direction to me, and the initials of that spell G. O. D..
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Carl Elfstrom
I bet some people think I never sleep, but with a nap here and a nap there ( in between posting comments) I think I'll make it.
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Carl Elfstrom
Christianity sure has a lot of stupid and ignorant members. But of course, there's probably not another religion that would take them. You have to be smarter to be a member of many other religions, and go through lengthy and sometimes difficult training before you can become initiated in some. A lot of people seem to think that simply saying they're christian say it's so. And most of them don't have any training in how to read or interpret the Bible. Then they spout off their misinterpretations of it an expect everyone to agree with it. If and when enough people don't agree with them they start another denomination, and get farther and farther away from the truth.
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Barb Lanier
Those are the sheeple that need leaders! There is a difference between milk-fed Christians and meat fed Christians. And it's up to the meat fed to wean the milkfed ones off of their division and Judgment of others. Full fledged empowered Christians have more discernment and are not threatened by such things as yoga. They understand that meditation is just another word for prayer they understand that karma is just another word for reaping and sowing. God sent prophets to every part of the world and they all teach the same things it's what we do in our minds that change and pass on that tradition of worship. Nothing is evil in itself we make it evil with our own thought processes by listening to Demons that are whispering in our ears. Behind me Satan! Stronger is he that is in me than he that is in the world!!!
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Barb Lanier
You are so right Bravo! Nothing is evil in itself only the Mind brings evil it may live outside of you but you invited inside with your own thought process!
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Vincent Kegler
Great response!
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Linda Weeks
So we should all live our lives in paper bags, never learn any thing new, never listen to anyone else, never try new things. Geez!
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Carl Elfstrom
Linda is definitely one of the better, much more knowledgeable, and wiser Christians. If I was still a Christian I would probably fall in love with her. Then again, my mother is Christian and my stepfather is atheist. That sounds worse than Bridgette loves Bernie to me, but they've been married for forty two years. Of course, when they got married he was a staunch member of Disciples of Christ and she was Catholic. I was twelve years old and getting drunk on communion wine, as an altarboy at St. Patrick's, where the priests were straight and wouldn't go down on me. So I felt rejected at an early age, and that's probably why I haven't gotten married yet.
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Carl Elfstrom
Well, I feel another nap coming on, but first I'll smoke à joint. It will soon be legal here in Texas. That should count for something. Goodnight to all.
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Clayton Beardmore
This is obviously the rantings of a complete idiot!
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John Smithkey lll
It depends on what a person's intentions are when they perform an activity. God knows what our intentions are! If we do yoga in order to exercise and stay in shape, God will know this. If we us it for evil purposes God will know this as well
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The Doctor
lol use yoga for evil like seriously? Like how hot yoga instructors use it to be super sexy and flexible so any sane sexually active individual desires them? I mean Im not into guys but even I found Josh H sexy in Hollywood Homicide!
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Carl Elfstrom
I wonder if any Hindus and Yogis think that if any of their members ever practice anything related to christianity that they'll go to Hell. Probably not. They don't seem that stupid. Oh that's right, Hell was created by christian mythology to scare children and stupid adults into behaving like the christian hierarchy wanted them to. It doesn't exist in other religions, which comprise far more of the world's population.
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Carl Elfstrom
It should be scary enough to think that Jesus and his twelve merry men will sodomize you after death if you aren't good little boys and girls.
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Stephanie Willey
Yoga, demonic trances, dangerous for the soul ???? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ...... I can't stop laughing ...
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John Maher
WELL STEPHANIE LAUGHING is GREAT for the SOUL, YOU GOT SOMETHING OUT of the IGNORANCE !!!
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Stephanie Willey
Yes laughing is good for the soul and the mind. Besides, to consider Mr. Walsh's rant with any degree of seriousness would only serve to join into the ignorance. I must confess I have little tolerance for ignorance, especially willful ignorance, and I find these days I must often seek spiritual strength to keep it in check and in perspective. A little spiritual meditation can go a long way. My friends who do those impossible yoga positions assure me that a quiet, calm, and positive spiritual meditation is really at the heart of their Yoga experience. (with my aged body, if I could manage to achieve one of those positions I would need a team of helpers to get me out ...)
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George Girman
Well.I've been doing Yoga and meditation for almost twenty years, and I feel I can honestly say I've never gone into a "demonic trance"! At the worst I might sometimes start to doze off during my meditation!
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Rev. Brien
Excuse me, I was told I could find the yellow brick road this way...I am late for my demon yoga class.
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Carl Elfstrom
You must first take a ride on the yellow submarine to the mushroom patch where Alice in Wonderland will direct you to the yellow brick road, at the end of which Satan will greet you at the door and welcome you into the demon yoga class. However, once you're in you're in, and you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
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Wendy
Hmmm...the upside down yoga poses do give me pretty wicked acid reflux. Maybe he has a point.
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biblical scholar
It is my OPINION yoga is evil, women wear yoga pants to tempt good and HOLY MEN into UNHOLY LUSTS. They should dress morally or face GODs wrath.
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Chris
And you are most welcome to have your opinion. I completely disagree with you, but that's my opinion. And so long as neither of us try to force the other to live in opposition to our own opinions we should be cool.
Of course, while I do prefer my opinions to be based in unbiased information and fact, I can't completely disagree with the whole women wearing yoga pants to tempt men bit. I don't think it's to tempt holy men specifically or only to tempt men, but they can certainly be tempting regardless.
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Amber
Actually that manner of dress is for comfort, not to tempt anyone into anything. If a man cannot control his urges that is on a man. not the attire of a woman.
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Jen Harder
Well said!
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Elizabeth Bailey
I agree. If a man finds an innocent young woman doing yoga and deems it lustful, I'm inclined to steer clear of that man. Same goes with thinking yoga is demonic worship. If I had those thoughts, I'd get my meds checked.
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ebufi
People, wake up !! do you know what hatha yoga is for ? besides of the good health benefits like breathing, relaxation, increase flexibility and strenght, who needs that ? Kama (sensual pleasure, fertility) is very important in hinduism. Infinite possibilities. Well, the ancients created hatha yoga. It is not for everybody though. First, basic hatha yoga helped me with my back pain, then made it worst, a keep a couple of basic poses though. My yoga times are over. Now, like Jesus, I just love to walk.
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Jen Harder
Don't blame women, if a guy can't control his lusts thats his issue, he needs to work on himself if he gets turned on so quickly. Stop blaming women!
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Wendy
Everyone can have an opinion, and yours is wrong. When I wear yoga pants it's usually laundry day, and that's what there is to wear. Or I'm cleaning house, and I know I'll be spending the vast majority of my day dusting the low shelves and vacuuming under furniture. Or I'm painting the insides of closets, and I have to twist myself into a pretzel to reach all the corners. My husband and sons referred to my yoga pants as "Mom's scary pants" because they knew that when I was wearing them somebody would get yelled at for not aiming precisely while peeing.
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Carl Elfstrom
I live on an Island. We have a seawall and a beach. Beautiful young women wear bikinis to our beach. One of my favorite pastimes is riding my bicycle up and down that seawall while cruising those pretty young women. It is a perfectly normal behavior and there is nothing wrong with it, except for those who have perverted sexual hang-ups, which are often caused by misinterpreting that worthless christian bible.
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Carl Elfstrom
When I was sixteen I had a twenty six inch waste at six foot one and could sit comfortably with my legs crossed behind my head while meditating. Guess what else I could do while in that position. Now, at fifty four, with torn ligaments and tendons, as well as a dislocated and crushed knee and patella from a motorcycle-automobile collision when I was twenty five, I'm most fortunate and grateful to God and Goddess that I can walk with a limp and ride a bicycle a few miles at a time. Of course I don't have a twenty six waste anymore either, at six foot three, two hundred seventy five pounds (so I don't tuck in my shirts anymore iether), and can no longer even sit cross legged, but would rather watch those pretty young things in yoga pants and bikinis now anyway. It gives me an extra special feeling that I couldn't get from meditating in any position.
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Carl Elfstrom
It is my opinion that Bernie Moleman is one of God's mistakes. Of course God is getting better and probably won't make the mistake of creating such a fool again. Also, there's no such thing as holy men. People are people it's plain to see. Although there are a lot of holier than than thou, self-righteous, arrogant jerks in this world.
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Dawn
You don’t understand the true nature of God. God equates love. I too was legalistic as you, until I found freedom through liberty in Christ. Read Galatians my brother
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The Doctor
For laughs my fellow open minded sane fellows go to youtube and search cinema snob the pagan invasion. It will give you a nice laugh as the snob reviews and tears into some christian hate speech just like this article is about.
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Chris
My ex-wife refused to even consider doing meditation because she claimed it wasn't "Of God." It was based in pagan worship and refused to try it. She felt the same way about yoga. She was raised in a very strict "Christian" household and couldn't open her mind to consider anything else.
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George Girman
That sounds a lot like the Fundamentalist Methodist tradition I was raised in. They also thought the Jehovah's Witnesses were "wicked" by spreading "Hell filling heresies" and the like!
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Amber
I find it funny that in pushing lies they are sinning themselves. Sometimes I swear these statements and stories are put out just to support ignorance, purposely... why would people be born to think and not use that to really learn about our world. Why must so many fall for the propaganda put out by control freaks not interested in facts but in fear and mistrust. I can't think of anything more anti Christian.
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Annette
I went to catholic school most of my life and was also a born again Christian in college. Somehow I ended up teaching yoga at 39 and 2 years later got ordained as a minister. Yoga has helped me and my students feel good about ourselves. I enjoy doing both jobs. Yoga is for wellness and that is it! The yoga pant issue is really what bothers people. Only once I was approached by a man when I shopped. So I realize all we have to do it cover our wedge with a long sweater or shirt and that is it. I am 54 so if my husband doesn’t have a problem there is no problem. If men are jealous there is a problem - but covering the BUTT is all a woman needs to do in public! I am sick of tv shows with women being exploited and the Dr who abused gymnasts! That is a Real Problem!! And Clergy people who abuse kids too! Cops that abuse their own wives and Pastors who abuse their own wives at home! I have watched documentaries of these real life events which is more serious stuff!
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Rev Ned
Let's all sing the hymn. "Jesus loves me, but he can't stand you."
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Christian
Monothiests could learn something VERY IMPORTANT from Polythiests: STOP HURTING PEOPLE FOR YOUR ''ONE TRUE GOD'' In a culture of a sentient species hundreds of thousands of years in the making, thousands of languages, tens of thousands gods, and now just a few hundred religions remaining... PEACE, Loving Kindness, and Compassion are the most important function of religion. Yoga also wants you to be flexible, and in good health. Nothing wrong with that, something the couch potato civilization could benefit from, good stretching and improved circulation. Love heals all.
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The Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Thank you for this important reminder. However, many monotheists also believe in love and are against harming anyone because of their beliefs. Only those who do not understand religion and spirituality want to harm others who do not agree with them. If you truly believe in the purpose of religion, you will be too busy worshiping and praying to think of harming anyone.
May God bless you for sharing your love with others.
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Ambika Devi
It is sadly ignorant to make such a claim that Yoga is a religion. Yoga is a philosophy of life that possesses encouragement and support for one to embrace whatever form of spirituality is of their own choice. Yoga is one of three sisters—all daughters of the Vedas which are four books of the science of life. Therefore Yoga is a science. Yoga is for the mind and is for the purpose of meditation. The popular exercise program is a branding utilizing the word Yoga and indeed utilizes much of the philosophy of this vast system. This philosophy contains information on how to behave—likely where the golden rules originated, breathing exercises, physical exercises, dietary guidelines, how to focus and release the grip of the ego-mind—the true negative force—in order to quiet it and ultimately let go of its grip in order to relax in meditation. It is so ridiculous to see it as anything more than good sense for happy and clean living. The language of Latin gets many of its root-words and grammar from the language of Yoga which is Sanskrit. The Yoga you see in gyms and studios is non-religion in fact it is exercise! If participants have a spiritual experience feeling happy, healthy and good about themselves, I feel we should praise this! Regarding the clothing , this is everywhere, not just in yoga and dance studios. Indeed much of the recent imagery posted in social media is more likened to gymnastics and circus performing. The original postures were more closely related to dance in praise of our connection to the divine emanating love and devotion. The byproduct of a yoga and meditation practice is love. Let us focus on this with one another!
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The Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Very perceptive. Thank you for clearing the air on this topic. Surat Shabd Yoga, for example, is neither a sin, nor a religion. For some reason, ULC likes to find the most outlandish and extreme ideas from the fringe of religions and ask what the ministers think about them.
Again, Rev. Devi, thank you for your post and may God Bless You.
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Barb Lanier
Amen!!!!!
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edward calhoun
I am amused and in the face of real world problems thing it is a nothing - - LOL
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Joe Bill Schirtzinger
A technique is fundamentally different than a form of worship. You can tie the technique to a form of worship if you wish, but it is not mandatory. I can go bowling for God if I want, but that does not mean everyone who bowls is doing so as a form of worship. The article mistakes the technique for worship or fails to recognize the two can be separated or re-routed to other deities. God is one, after all, isn't he?
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Bill Fox
I don't believe my Neti pot is demonic, and it works very well during the pollen season. It keeps me from having to use demonic drugs to relieve my allergies.
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Jennifer Kemper
"God" must be laughing at the inanity of this post. I know the Goddess is.
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Mitch
The word yoga means union. Hatha yoga (breathing and asanas) is a preparatory set of physical exercises that are meant to both augment and lead one to higher yogic methods such as inner prayer and meditation. The aim in all this is meant to be God realization. How anyone could find fault with increasing one's awareness is a denial of reason and of real religion. Sadly so much institutional religion is rooted in fear and ignorance instead of compassion and intelligence. Such narrow views of what constitutes a true spiritual path need to be condemned as the worst sort of prejudice and stupidity based elitism.
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Barb Lanier
Well said!!
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Marilyn E Gibson
The level of ignorance and fear is astonishing. Apparently Matt Walsh knows nothing about Yoga. I pray that thinking , logical, Godly people will not drink his purple Kool-Aid.
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Carl Elfstrom
I think I might like to try tantric yoga, if I can find the right partner. Do any of you know anything about that?
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Daniel A. Young
I was just thinking about this very issue, yesterday. The idea that yoga should not be practiced by Christians because of a perceived connection to Hinduism is absurd. Yoga is practiced in India by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and people in other, smaller religious groups. It is also practiced worldwide by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Agnostics, Atheists, and others. It is physical and spiritual, but it is not part of nor attached to any single religion. Do Hindus drink water? Do Muslims eat food? Do Jews love their children? Then a good Christian must not do any of those things, either! It's an idiotic argument. What this reactionary Christian preacher says about it reflects his own insecurity and ignorance. He's just wrong, on so many levels.
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George Girman
I think people tend to make judgements based on their own personal experiences, which are usually influenced by what they were taught! If one was brought up in a very rigid and exclusive tradition which views all outsiders, and any belief or practice from outside that tradition as suspect, or "Evil"-Then that's likely to be their experience of it!
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DJ
Ignorance is a terrible thing. Yoga is great exercise even for those with prejudicial mental disabilities.
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Jeff
I am disappointed, not because this gentleman had an opinion because heck we all have opinions, right or wrong, but because of the response he got. We all have our beliefs and we should never be berated or belittled because of our beliefs. Is his idea and belief wrong? I don't know, I'm not God. Do I do yoga? No, but not because of its religious beginnings but because I have other forms of exercise and spiritual relief. But I would never call someone's belief stupid or idiotic or any of the other terse things that have been said here. As a society we are encouraged to express ourselves and we do, some just have better outlets. But who are we to condemn, who are we to push our beliefs on him? It is his right to believe what he wants and to pass that on to others, he is causing no harm, except to maybe the yoga business, but from what I read here, you all are making up for that.
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Tom B
Jeff...i agree with what you wrote...too many people feel that it is somehow ok to judge others, while all it does is create unnecessary conflicts...we can have discussions without condemnations....Peace...Tom
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I.S. Johnson
It is sad to see such energy being expended on nonesense. Who cares what the blogger wrote. This is the United States of America we have the right to speak how we feel. Other people's opinions are just that, other people's views. These views only have an effect on me if I let them. If this person offers legislation to have Yoga outlawed then is the time to speak out. Social media, in my opinion, is a wasteland of hate, narcisism, voyerism, ignorance, lies and exhibitionism. SMARTPHONES ARE THE DIGITAL DEVIL and you all are suplicants i'll bet. Evil is not an object, dogma or group. Evil is in humanity's thoughts and actions. Evil can only be done by people because it takes a rational mind to turn a concept into a consequence.
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James
Aloha, Yoga causes? Prayer causes? Meditations causes? Etc Etc, etc..... None of these in them-selves "CAUSES" demonic / negative anything. What one dose in their hearts, their minds and in their core soul drive / emotions while performing any of this are the root cause. Its NOT the tool that kills or hurts. Its the operator of the spiritual tool that is the source / problem. Read Paul Bruntons "OVERSELF" series. Get the out-of-ctrl ego in check, that has control of ones mind & path. Next these ppl will be claiming guns (or weapon of choice) kills. Its ppl & their destructive egos that Emotionally, Mentally, Physically & Spiritually) kill themselves and others.
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James
Yoga is a "cause"? AKA... Opinions = Phaneron...
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Henry
And this is why America is the laughingstock of the world.
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Simon
Some people who do yoga admit they try to connect to the Universe and to be like gods. That is the same ancient lie that Satan came up with and made the mankind fall in the garden of Eden
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Anna
I believe that, while he doesn't specify it, Walsh may be concerned about kundalini yoga and the attempt to activate the body's chakras. That is what is considered "demonic" and is supposedly what leads to the alleged depression or other negative feelings.
So yoga is evil, but people falling to the ground in convolutions after being possessed by a "holy ghost" is godly???
Yeah, I've seen that stuff. Freaks me out. Nothing holy about it, for sure.
Yoga is worship to Hindu deities which opens spiritual doors. People who cannot discern spiritual things will not understand the danger of yoga.
Yoga as practiced today throughout America is just exercise. Just exercise. That's all.
Hello Stephanie,
I would research this out. The body movements are the acts of worship and not the motivations behind it.Therefore it cannot be christianized. Many people report feelings of crippling anxiety and depression after being involved in “so-called” Christian yoga. All worship opens spiritual doors. Eastern religion and New Age (spiritual darkness) is always trying to infiltrate the Church. Liken it to a spiritual “Trojan Horse”
No the True Holy Spirit is gentle, and don’t give you convulsions,