Rev. Albert Mohler of Southern Baptist Seminary says that Christians who practice yoga “must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga.”
Read article below and one Fitness Center owner's experience with people “coming off yoga” reminding her of people “coming off Meth!”
Ooooooooo! Struck a nerve!!!
AP – In this photo, Stephanie Dillon conducts a yoga class in Louisville, Ky. (and tries to “mix yoga and Christianity”–does NOT work…LW)
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Rev. Albert Mohler
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Southern Baptist leader who is calling for Christians to avoid yoga and its spiritual attachments is getting plenty of pushback from enthusiasts who defend the ancient practice.
Southern Baptist Seminary President Albert Mohler says the stretching and meditative discipline derived from Eastern religions is not a Christian pathway to God.
Mohler said he objects to “the idea that the body is a vehicle for reaching consciousness with the divine.”
“That's just not Christianity,” Mohler told The Associated Press.
Read rest of article from Yahoo News…
“I agree,” says Laurette Willis, Director of PraiseMoves Fitness Ministry. “I admire Rev. Mohler for taking a stand, and we can see from comments he has received that many have been angered by someone standing up for the Truth.
“Yoga is like a drug to some,” she says. “I noticed that Mohler said he was ‘really surprised by the depth of the commitment to yoga found on the part of many who identify as Christians.'
“Something amazing happened to a Fitness Center owner in Texas a few years ago,” Laurette continues. “She and her husband wanted to get rid of the yoga classes in their 4 facilities in order to have their instructors teach PraiseMoves instead. She told me that some of her members were so incensed that their yoga ‘drug' was being taken away that it reminded her of people coming off Meth when she worked as a drug rehab counsellor!
“The Fitness Center owner told me, ‘We felt convicted by the Lord to get rid of the yoga classes since we're followers of Jesus Christ. We decided to replace the yoga with stretching/toning classes until our trainers were certified in PraiseMoves. But a number of the members went ballistic! I asked them what they liked so much about the yoga – and they told me the stretching and toning! I told them we had that, but no! They said they HAD to have their yoga. It was like a DRUG!'
“Amazing,” says Laurette. “That's why we call PraiseMoves ‘The Christian ALTERNATIVE to yoga.' The foundation is the Word of God we meditate upon when doing these stretching and strengthening postures. Bible-Jesus-the Word is ALL THE DRUG WE NEED!!!”
Great post!
Thank you, Kristine. You wouldn’t believe the vitriol Dr. Mohler’s article has engendered (or perhaps you would!).
Such views as ours are JUDGED “judgmental” by some (whatever happened to “judge with righteous judgment” – John 7:24?) and “fear-mongering” by others (“God has not given (us) a spirit of fear…”2 Tim. 1:7) – so we go on as the Lord leads.
I really do understand though. When I was a New Ager I vehemently HATED those “judgmental Chrisssssstians” (I would hissss). I had *peace, love and tolerance* for anything and anyone else — but an unholy rage would overcome me over “narrow-minded, bigoted Christians.”
After I became a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I suddenly realized the source of that rage — and it wasn’t the Lord! And now, look at me! I’ve BECOME the person I used to warn others about. Glory to God — a fool for Christ any day (rather than a fool for the world).
I was happy to read that Church leaders are enlightening Christians about the bad habits that we attach ourselves to thinking that it only has a physical gain. . .well done Rev. Albert Mohler. Christians need to know what are the things that are unbiblical and should try to avoid them as much as possible — and thanks Laurette Willis, you are doing a great job, am a great fan of yours!!! I look forward to participate in the Christian Alternative to Yoga programmes as soon as I can. God bless….