Why do some traditional Christians think yoga is evil?

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   Janis Goadposted 11 years ago

   Why do some traditional Christians think yoga is evil?

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   Tyler Brackenposted 11 years ago

   Because they are not really Christians and they get a kick from hating things? to be honest though, I have never heard of anyone hating yoga. I guess they may apply some sort of subtle religious action going on with it.

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      PlanksandNailsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How do you know that they are not really Christians? Once you study the origins of yoga, or ask a guru on the matter, it is easy to discern that it is not compatible for someone who adheres to Biblical standard.

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   aguasilverposted 11 years ago

   Being a Christian at root requires recognising that Christ is the ONLY pathway to God, this may or may not be true for non believers, but it's a pretty basic tenet of the faith.
   
   Christians view yoga as wrong because it teaches folk to focus on things other than God - via - Christ, they basically believe that when you do yoga, you are paying devotion to a god, but not theirs.
   
   In effect when people do yoga, Christians believe that the person opens themselves up to spiritual forces other than Christ.
   
   That is unacceptable to a believer, though of course there is no right for any believer to hold another person in condemnation for how they live, the objective is to demonstrate why living with and for Christ is a better decision.
   
   This is rarely achieved by pointing out others 'faults' rather than showing them Christ's love.
   
   Unfortunately Churchianity has taken over most official church groups, and therefore we see the finger pointing rather than the demonstrations of faith shown by unconditional love, generosity towards those in need and friendship to those who are distressed or dispossessed.

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      TexasTornadoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      very good answer

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      SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      dido

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      MarieAlana1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      While I agree withthis answer, I also think that a lot of christians look at Yogo as celebrating the buddhist God and that is under the sin of "making no other Gods before thee." They, may also not understand the whole concept of Yoga.

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   JimTxMillerposted 11 years ago

   Ignorance. Intolerance. Prejudice. Bigotry. Hypocrisy. Holier than thou attitudes.

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      PlanksandNailsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It  is simply adhering to what Scripture says about certain practices. That is what  Christians are to use as the standard. Your answer is based on emotional reasoning.

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   CrescentSkiesposted 11 years ago

   Basically the same reason people believe in the Loch Ness Monster, they've decided it's true and refuse to believe otherwise. Though I have to admit I've never met someone quite as crazy as to believe yoga is evil (though I've met equally crazy people on different subjects).

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      PlanksandNailsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The Bible is the standard on how Christians are to discern what and what isn't acceptable. Yoga is not compatible with Christianity.

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      Annie Millerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The only incompatibility between Christianity and yoga is on the mind of the ignorant. Nothing in the Bible even mentions yoga, muchless condemn it as "evil".

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      PlanksandNailsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry, if that is your answer you really don't understand yoga (pantheism), or Christianity (theism). Yoga in philosophy and practise is incompatible with each other. There is nothing called yoga without the spiritual beliefs that are behind yoga.

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   PlanksandNailsposted 11 years ago

   There is no Hinduism without its practice, it is essential and spiritual. There is no yoga that is strictly aimed for the physical body, it is essentially spiritual because of its purpose. Focusing on a series of stretching exercises, breathing practices, and meditation to reach a state of peace and harmony, this physical discipline is merely a means to an end. It is a spiritual exercise and a spiritual awakening.
   
   While many Christians rationalize the exercises as neutral they only need to ask a professional Yoga instructor what it is really about to find that it is in fact religious. Yoga is an idolatrous practice which leads one away from the one true God and into the spiritual realm of false gods and demonic spirits. Most are ignorant that Yoga positions are stretching exercises and non-religious, when in fact they are worshipful poses to Hindu gods.
   
   There are numerous exercise programs that incorporate stretching that in no way relates to yoga that one can substitute. Religious syncretism is probably the most dangerous among "Christians" in the modern church today which is an abomination to God.

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   manatita44posted 11 years ago

   I have written what some say is an excellent article on Yoga. Click on my name and the hub should appear among the others.The word Yoga means 'to yoke', 'to unite', 'to bind', 'union'. Yoga is the oneness of the individual soul with the supreme soul. It is the goal of human life.
   Some traditional christians do not like it, because it speaks of meditation, that sitting in silence thing that we do not understand, predominantly because our minds are too busy and too cluttered with useless stuff.
   When I took up the spiritual life some 30 years ago, I soon realised that everything in the East had a Western equivalent. So when we use our rosary beads to pray, we are actually doing a mantra or japa. In the same way, what the saints call interior prayer or silent prayer, is nothing but meditation. Our tradition is as rich as anyone else. We have simply got to look.
   Finally, we keep turning around when we are walking along a dark alley. It is human nature to fear that which we do not understand or are afraid will happen.

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   Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

   I think that traditional Christians may think that Yoga is evil because the teachings of yoga is foreign to their way of thinking.  I think that since there are so many different systems of yoga it is confusing for people in general to know what is the real purpose of yoga. 
   
   From the ancient teachings of the Vedic system (a system of Knowledge started by Lord Sri Krishna speaker of the Bhagavad-Gita) the practice of yoga is designed to Link a person to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Furthermore, the system is designed to develop control of the spirit, mind, emotions, and body, as well as help people realize that all living beings have a soul and each soul should be loved.
   
   I hope this helps.
   
   Dhira Krishna das

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      aguasilverposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      "Furthermore, the system is designed to develop control of the spirit, mind, emotions, and body" - and in those few words you describe exactly why Christians have a problem accepting yoga.

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   platinumOwl4posted 11 years ago

   They are train that way, anything other than the adopted theory is evil. Yet, in all of their christian belief they create more evil than many others. Look at the history of colonizations.

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    celafoeposted 11 years ago

    any wise Cristian would know that it is, it is a false religion and Christians are not supposed to mix the Holy and the profane

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