In recent days it has been reported on various media outlets about the statement made by Southern Baptist Seminary President Albert Mohler in regard to Christians and Yoga.  Mohler makes the following statement in his article: ” When Christians practice yoga, they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga. The contradictions are not few, nor are they peripheral”. When I read this I had to post about this because I now have the “expertise” to make a comment about yoga because I just started taking it and I have been a Christian for many years so this makes me more of an expert than Mohler.   I know Mohler did not say taking yoga can send you to hell, but I title my article this way to get your attention and to point out how ridiculous this statement is.

Not once in my Yoga class have their been any “Eastern Spiritual” influence.  My whole concern during the yoga class is just trying to maintain my concentration and stamina to make it through and at no time have we talked about Buddha or some other eastern religion.  I for one am tired of this kind of rhetoric from these so-called “religious leaders”.  This is a perfect example of why the founders of this nation did not want the government establishing a religion.  Because rest assured if somehow this country had allowed Theocracy to develop people like Mohler would be in charge and it would be just like the Taliban!!  No music, no dancing, no wine with your dinner!!  The religious police would be out like the Taliban hitting everyone with their “correction” sticks if you were found violating the rules.

I for one have no fear that I am disappointing God or contradicting my faith by taking a Yoga.  Maybe Mohler should write about how Baptists expect you to be at church 5 days a week teaching, serving on committees and doing other things while Christian families are falling apart.   I don’t see in the Bible where it says I have to attend Church 5 days a week to be in good graces with God… Maybe this is contradiction that should explored!!

Below are several articles I have linked to:

 

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/yoga-what-is-it-exactly-2398028/

The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga?