Should Christians practice Yoga? NO!! Okay bye…..
Hey wait! .. Don’t you want to know why? You should, and this information involves all who may be participating in this Eastern religion. Religion? Yes, Yoga is Hinduism. Now you are going to argue…”NO, I do Yoga to relieve stress and for relaxation”. Or how about this, “I only hold the positions for exercise and to increase my body strength”. Did you know that the Sun Salutation is worship to a sun goddess?
Okay let’s talk. Well… if you will read this for a few minutes, I would be extremely pleased.
Yoga means “union” in Sanskrit. Union with what? You will find the true answer to this a bit later. Yoga theory teaches that everything is divine and the goal is to reach union with Brahman, your higher self, God, or the universe, depending on what they are trying to sell you. The practice of Yoga, the positions and breathing prepares the body for the occult changes that will arouse the coiled power (Kundalini) at the base of spine. This power can travel up the spine passing through the Chakras to the top of your head (Crown Chakra). It is the ultimate goal for the Kundalini (Serpent Power) to reach the brain. The “OM” which is repeated over and over again is to empty the mind of thought so that a new spirit can enter.
What happens then? The ultimate goal of enlightenment? Let’s take a look at what the experts say:
Swami Narayananda describes some of the possibilities:
These hot currents that reach the brain center heat the brain, make the mind fickle, bring insomnia, brain disorder, insanity and incurable diseases. For the hot currents keep the mind wide awake and if a person does not know how to check the currents and to bring down the partly risen kundalini shakti to safer centers, one suffers terribly and it may ruin the whole life of a person or lead one to insanity. This is why we see many become insane, many get brain defects, and many others get some incurable diseases after deep sorrow.
Gopi Krishna, founder of one of the many kundalini research centers, records his own experience:
It was variable for many years, painful, obsessive, even fantasmic. I have passed through almost all the stages of different mediumistic, psychotic, and other types of mind; for some time I was hovering between sanity and insanity.
Even though one may desire only the physical or exercise of yoga, you can see how dangerous a practice it really is. The above kundalini symptoms are the extreme, this is duly noted, but nevertheless, many have noted a change of worldview, or a darkness that follows them because of their involvement into the occult spiritual realm. A commercial on TV shows a woman in a lotus position calmly looking at the ocean, and you may desire the relaxation but the truth is, (and the trainers don’t want you to know this), the problems can be overpowering. Consider some of these other manifestations. Fear, uncontrollable laughing or weeping, intervals of ecstasy, tremors, spasms, and violent shaking. The guru can often impart these manifestations in mass, to his students, leaving them writhing on the floor helpless.
New-Age techniques almost always involve some form of meditation that is to bring you into a state of peace, enlightenment, open the door of physic knowledge, and can bring extraordinary power. But this power is an illusion of self-grandeur, it is occult, and very dangerous because the spirit you invite into your mind, is a demon or fallen angel. Remember the earlier question of what “union” means in Yoga? You are NOT uniting with a higher-spirit, an ascended master or a spirit-guide, you are uniting with a counterfeit spirit who is delighted to deceive you into thinking it a positive force but in truth is demonic.
Christians need to know that we are not to delve into the spirit world.
Deut 18:10-12 says “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord…”
In Yoga the self is God… In Christianity one denies self……… Choose now.
Choose the Lord Jesus Christ, for……….. “No man can serve two masters”. Mat 6:24
Please read Yoga Uncoiled which tells you of a great DVD about Yoga.
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/06/20/yoga-uncoiled-from-east-to-west/
New article posted February 22, 2008 – link below-
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2009/02/22/yoga-a-christian-perspective/
DiscernIt 
115 comments
June 6, 2007 at 2:34 am
carla
Hi Kim,
Have your readers ever heard of Yoga Uncoiled? It’s a DVD made by Caryl Matrisciana, who was born and raised in India. They can order it here:
http://www.carylmatrisciana.com/shop/catalog/Yoga-Uncoiled-p-16188.html
Thanks for the link. 🙂
June 6, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Kim
Thanks Carla, that DVD looks great, and i will order it.
In answer to Yogaguide, i agree my words are only a partial description.. For more information click on the Eastern Regional Watch website which has a huge section on Yoga.
July 10, 2007 at 11:46 pm
thegreatapostasy
Thanks for this post, Kim. I have a good friend who’s been a Christian for many years. She became involved with Yoga, even to the point of becoming a Yoga instructor. She always believed that by not teaching the Hindu parts of Yoga and just focusing on the physical postures, etc., she was okay with doing it. It was strange to watch her Christianity start to slide into very liberal and occultic types of things the longer she was involved with Yoga. She injured her shoulder (through something else) and could no longer even do Yoga, much less teach it. The longer she stayed away from it, the more conservative and traditional her Christian beliefs became. She told me the other day that she’s not sure what happened to her, but that she recognizes now that she was happily walking down the path towards apostasy and the occult. Now, it’s totally conjecture on my part, but I suspect her involvement (and consequent un-involvement) with Yoga had something to do with her spiritual “swing” from one extreme to another and then back again.
http://thegreatapostasy.wordpress.com
July 11, 2007 at 12:18 am
Kim
Thank you for relating the story of your friend. I believe that Yoga in a Christians’ life is a HUGE problem. Only two of my eleven posts deal exclusively with Yoga, yet the search engines leading to my blog are about 75% yoga related. The most common search terms have been christians and demons, insanity,occult, kundalini, and serpent power.
July 17, 2007 at 6:33 am
Can Yoga be Christian? « The Great Apostasy
[…] Read the full text of the article here: https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/06/05/yoga-is-occult/ […]
September 1, 2007 at 12:23 am
Shirin
Hi ,
You can’t imagine how glad I am to see this valuable article of yours.
I run a web log about paranormal and also this kind of discussions( in Persian language) and about 3 months ago I found out the connection between Kundalini ( Yoga in general )with Serpent Worship and its various forms around the world.I couldn’t convince any one but now your article has made me sure that I am right.
I trust you health and happiness my friend
Yours
Shirin
September 1, 2007 at 12:42 am
Shirin
me again !
Just wanted to say that the word Yoga itself in original Sanskrit also means ” to stop” ” to take control of ” and the most accurate meaning of Yoga is ” Demon Worship”.
I had access to most Hindu Classics in Persian language along with the Sanskrit Dictionary ( old books) and these resources seem to be less censored by the modern Media. Any way Yoga means devoting one’s life to serve a demon , usually Shiva or Brahma or other smaller demons. and Yogi is the male worshiper ( also the male demon himself) . Yogini is the female worshiper ( also in the ancient texts is used for demoness).
I tried to leave a comment on your latest article about Third Eye but it didn’t save the comment. The article is an accurate , honest research.
September 1, 2007 at 8:27 am
Kim
Thanks so much for this fascinating information. I took a look at your website. I sure would have loved to been able to read it….
Thank you so much for the encouragement and comments. Whenever I post in the Yoga section i cling to the Lord because i usually get hate mail…..
September 2, 2007 at 9:23 am
Shirin
Dear Kim ,
It’s a real pleasure to read your writings and I’m honored you visited my page.I still have a long way to become like you.And ignore those who send you hate mails , they are not themselves you know..
October 4, 2007 at 11:19 am
Anonymous
I’m sorry Kim, but I strenuously disagree with the Christain perspective on this. I am tired of the tendency of Biblical literalists to immediately equate practices of other faiths as gateways to demonic possession. ‘The most accurate meaning of Yoga is ” Demon Worship”’ – care to name a source for that, Shirin? And for the claim that Brahma is a demon?
Without fail the people I know who have practiced Yoga regularly are loving, caring individuals whose minds are open, whose bodies are healthy, and whose lives are rich in earthly and spiritual joys. I also know many Christians that I could say the same of, and they tend to not talk about demons because they know how crazy they’d sound.
Kundalini is a potent and potentially upsetting force, and widely misunderstood. It is incorrect to immediately and unconditionally equate it to ‘serpent worship’. Yoga is not about gaining occult power through its harnessing – anyone who says so is a charlatan, and may as well be trying to sell you indulgences or a piece of the Holy Precupice.
Yoga is about understanding these energies and working to bring them into balance. The energies of the body are powerful and mysterious, but they are *our* energies, belonging to no god or demon. If you would like to talk of demonism, let’s cite any number of other things – like the brutality of the Crusades, the tortures of the Inquisition, or priest-related pedophilia, or the fraud and embezzlement of televangelists, or… you get my drift. Or if you would like to talk of evil, consider:
‘I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, AND CREATE EVIL: I the LORD (GOD) do all these things.’ Isaiah 45:7
The thing is, if you fill your mind with demons, you’ll see them everywhere.
If you seek to know yourself, then shall you know others, in the fullness of agape; then will you find your union with God, be it Brahma, Jehovah or Christ. If you seek to hide from your shadow, there will be found your Satans and Beelzebubs.
October 4, 2007 at 7:44 pm
JM
If you regularly “play” with the demons you aren’t going to recognize who they are. It is a part of the deception. They have you exactly where they want you.
October 4, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Kim
Anonymous..you selected an interesting verse.
Did you read the entire passage?
Isaiah 45:5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Isaiah 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west that there is none before me. I am the Lord and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
The Lord speaking through Isaiah was speaking to Cyrus who woshiped the chief Babylonian God Marduk. That is why Isaiah says “though thou hast not known me”.
If you look at the cross references you will find that the darkness in verse 7 is a judgment or a disaster. These disasters are brought on by unbelief and the worship of other Gods. So God is saying if you worship other Gods then you will face judgment.
Revelation 9:20-21
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the work of their hands, that they should not worship devils and idols of gold, and silver, and brass and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk. 21. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries…..
Satan is the god of this world unless you accept Jesus Christ as Saviour. There are no other true Gods.
Brahma is a false god, so is Sophia…Baal..Shiva…Adonis…
II Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which not believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God..should shine unto them.
So you are tired of Bible literalists? Many find the truth of the Bible an inconvenience to their way of life. Please reconsider.
October 5, 2007 at 12:34 am
IWanthetruth
7I form light and create darkness,
I make well-being and create calamity,
I am the Lord, who does all these things. ESV
Notice the rendering of evil in this translation is calamity
7 I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the Lord, do all these things. (NIV)
Notice the rendering of evil in this translation is disaster
That he is Lord of all, and there is nothing done without him (v. 7): I form the light, which is grateful and pleasing, and I create darkness, which is grievous and unpleasing. I make peace (put here for all good) and I create evil, not the evil of sin (God is not the author of that), but the evil of punishment. Matthew Henry Comentary
October 10, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Anonymous
Hi Kim. Thank you for your concern, but I find nothing tiresome or inconvenient in the Bible – it is a wonderful collection of history, myth, and inspired poetry. The Song of Solomon is gorgeous – Ecclesiastes is an existential masterpiece. Revelations is simply awe-inspiring. Some of the most sublime experiences of my life have revolved around around deep contemplation of this book.
I also find there to be nothing inconvenient in the message of Jesus. In a beautiful development from the God of the Old Testament, incarnated he is truly human his temperamental outbursts, his explicitly political machinations, his tenderness to the ill, and his secrecy even among his disciples.
Unfortunately for the world, the earthly church has subverted the essential meaning of ‘I and my Father are one’. This is not the unequivocal proof that Christ is the Way, but that the way is in realising the intrinsic divinity of humankind. “Have I not said ye are as gods!’ he rails against those tugging at his robes, emphatically asserting to them that all that he has done and more is within their power.
*However*. The Old Testament is a book of often demonic savagery towards women, children and the feeble. The New Testament is heavily overbalanced towards the ministry of Paul, obscuring the simplicity of Christ’s message. Both have been heavily redacted, edited, translated. Even serious theologians, of all flavours of Christianity, question overly literal interpretation of the Book.
It is naive and arrogant to say of a cultural practice, ie Yoga, developed long before the Christian conception of the Devil, that this was some master-plan of entrapment by the evil one. Other cultures also have their demons – what does this mean? That they are demons that even demons should fear? Is this understood? To say to a yogi that they are flypaper for demons would be without meaning to them, not because they are ‘lost’, but because they are products of entirely different cultural and religious environments – no good and evil there. Such people actually have an exquisite concept of right and wrong through the checks and balances of their own actions through Karma.
No doubt my contrary attitude is evidence to JM that the ‘demons’ have me right where they want me, but I am not here to ‘win’ an argument. Life is not a zero-sum game, else we all end up in Hell. These comments are the product of my own discernment. Not planted by Ascended Masters, demons or Gods, but as a human seeking to understand his fellow humans.
Brendan
October 10, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Kim
One of the most common arguments used to negate the Bible is that it has been wrongly translated and therefore unreliable. This is an easy way out for one who wants to find another truth that is more appealing.
Here is an excerpt from Running Against the Wind, a book written by Brian Flynn who was a medium before becoming a Christian.
“The data for the New Testament…is incredible. Only 40 of 20,000 words, or 1/5 of 1% are distorted. …..Said more simply, no teaching of the Christian faith is in question as a result of the distortion of the New Testament text due to copying over many centuries.”
This study is from Don Bierle and documented in this book Surprised by Faith.
I could not find the verse you quoted “Have i not said ye are as gods”. But there is Genesis 3:5 “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil”.
The serpent tempted with the idea that they would not die by eating the forbidden fruit and that they could be as gods. Did they become gods? Did they die? The lies the serpent used are the very same lies he uses today…..That we can be gods….that we are divine.
This is why Paul who is the apostle to the Gentiles is so important. He instructs the church how to live for God.
Consider these verses.
Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.
Romans 1 explains the wrath of God against mankind, and that we are anything but divine but instead we depraved in our fallen state.
1Cr 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
If you seek the true and living God, He will give you His understanding. I bow before my Lord in humility because i am nothing but what He has created in me. I myself have no true wisdom. The wisdom of the world is foolishness. Only through the cross are we saved….
October 11, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Anonymous
I haven’t read the book you speak of, but will look into it. I’ll also try to find the ye are as gods quote – I’ll make sure to have the book handy when posting with you. King James.
Nice posting, its great when people engage in a considered fashion rather than the thou art possessed approach.
Brendan
October 11, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Kim
Hi Brendan..
Here is the link to my book review of Running Against the Wind.
Brendan..there are many of us who deeply care about those who may be involved in occult practices and are not aware of it. Sometimes it takes a hard-edged approach to get someones attention. I try to speak the truth with love but sometimes the truth doesn’t seem loving at all because the message opposes ones belief system.
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/running-against-the-wind-by-brian-flynn-contemplative-spirituality/
http://www.lighthousetrails.com/runningagainstthewind.htm
[suggested reading]
Surprised by Faith – Dr. Donald A. Bierle
October 12, 2007 at 4:16 am
IWanthetruth
I did a search on the following lines in the Blueletterbible site and searched by KJV…
No statements in the scriptures by this line…
“Have i not said ye are as gods”
“Ye are as Gods”
Only reference that I can see is in Genesis where Satan decieves Eve by twisting the very words of God.
October 24, 2007 at 1:08 am
Anonymous
http://www.thebereancall.org/node/5748
http://www.thebereancall.org/node/5741
http://www.thebereancall.org/node/6047
January 4, 2008 at 4:58 am
Anonymous
wow.. who ever wrote the article about yoga being a religion and christians shouldn’t practice it is rediculous. You obvioulsy don’t know anything about yoga because it is not a religion but a way of life. and just because it is practiced by Hindus, Bhudists, and people alike does not make it a product of those religions. do you have to be christian to pray? i dont think so, and if you thought about reading books about yoga before you knocked it maybe you can stop yourself from sounding any more ignorant than you already do because in every yoga book there is a reference to god. So I suggest you to do a little more research on something before you ridicule it!
January 4, 2008 at 6:00 am
Kim
Well…thank you for at least reading the article. I have done quite a bit of study on Yoga and know all the chakras, and which elements, mantras goes with each one. For instance the first two chakras are the Tamas, which govern physical activities, the third and fourth, are the Rajas. These are subtle and supposedly works with one’s individuality. The fifth and sixth chakras are the Sativas which effect movement toward the inner world. The sixth or brow is the location of the 3rd eye and of course the crown chakra, 7th, which is the goal of enlightenment of yoga meditation is the Sahasrara or (thousandfold), the universal-to know all that is.
I believe in only one God and that is Jesus Christ. This is not the God of the Hindu or Buddhist.
January 4, 2008 at 6:06 am
jeff
Anonymous,
Dude you’re like almost a day a head of us. We’re a little behind you.
All in love man, read the book of James, he states that if we want a religion than we should make it about helping widows and orphans. Christianity is a worldview and a way of life. If any of us has offended, we apologize, it’s hard to communicate with typed words only. You don’t get to see expressions and body language, but know this- let’s just dialogue.
If we philosphize about who Jesus was for one second, it is a fact that he walked the earth, the historian at the time was Josephus who was actually Jewish (as a non-converted Jew he could have wiped Him off the face of history, but did not because it is TRUE history) and identified Jesus as a real person who walked the earth. If this was true, let’s take a look at what He actually said. I don’t know about you, but He said some ridiculous things, if in fact He was only human. I would not follow someone who lies and know you wouldn’t either. Jesus called himself one with God and is revealed to be the Christ through over 300 prophecies that came BEFORE christianity. Now, there are no biblical historians who will say that the current, most widely read translations are not accurate.
Hang in there and I’ll explain why christianity as a worldview answers the questions of life better than the any other worldview. We can scurt all issues, but as a former practicing of eastern mysticism guru I can say that my new worldview is more revealing even though it is painful to think of all the hypocricy in the church.
Best Regards.
January 4, 2008 at 7:03 am
Mary
You go Jeff!!
I’d love to hear your testimony sometime.
January 4, 2008 at 7:08 am
Kim
Yeah me, too. Jeff, you were a guru?
January 4, 2008 at 7:35 am
Mary
Kim,
I know this is off topic but I can’t help it. I’ve been trying to figure out your avatar for the longest time lol. is that a sock puppet??
January 4, 2008 at 8:31 am
Kim
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/favorite-lol-cats-from-i-can-has-cheezburger/
Okay Mary here are my fav LOL cat pics
January 5, 2008 at 4:47 am
Elidia
I found the verse referred to by Brendon. It is found in John chapter 10 verse 34. I will include the verses to 38
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods? If he called them ‘gods’ to whom the word of God came-and the Scripture cannot be broken- what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
The Jews wanted to stone Jesus for this statement. He was essentially using their law against them because the rulers and leaders at that time were often referred to as gods (little g). This statement by Jesus also referred to the book of Psalm 82:6 from which Jesus quotes. I think it is great that Brenden brought this verse up because Jesus was referring to himself a God. This is why the Jews wanted to kill him for the crime of blaspemy. Jesus, in previous verses in this chapter, had made this abundantly clear. It is also interesting that Jesus made these statements during the Feast of Dedication. During this feast (Chanukah), a blessing is recited before the lighting of the candles or torches. In the blessing the Jews that God for all the miracles, wonders and salvations He has provided.
Blessings to you all.
April 18, 2008 at 1:41 am
Matt
Much ado about nothing!
Let’s get our priorities straight here. Nearly all of the stretches we practice today in all avenues of sport are derived from or are included in the Yoga asanas. Does that mean that my Christian physiotherapist is evil or is some kind of devil worshipper. Must I abandon my friends because they feel refreshed and less stressed after a Yoga workout. Surely you jest?
The Yoga being practiced today is completely and utterly bereft of it’s spiritual backbone. Very few people are chanting mantras, few if any are even doing the breathing correctly. There are even people practicing Yoga who feel convinced that it is somehow enhancing their spiritual development. Poppycock! The only possible spiritual benefit to be gained from it is discipline and what harm can possibly come from that in today’s world. Many of the people practicing it daily are doing it simply for the health benefits such as increasing core strength and improving posture. If taking care of your body and making it a more efficient tool is sinful then I am all for it, but then surely it’s all about the body and nothing to do with the spirit. In my opinion the only threat of Yoga to ones health is possible muscle strain.
Really Christians, shouldn’t you be focussed on the deep issues affecting the faith like Harry Potter or Puff the magic dragon.
Another soul condemned to hell for stretching!
April 18, 2008 at 7:29 am
Kim
Matt….
I have studied quite a bit about Yoga. The positions were not created to stretch the muscles. They were created to force energy up the spine into the pituitary and pineal glands.
One of the best books to read is Dave Hunt’s “Yoga and the Body of Christ”.
Please reconsider your position and pray about it.
April 18, 2008 at 7:53 am
Matt
If my spine and pineal gland are getting an energy boost as well as my muscles then how is that spiritual? Surely the spine and pineal glands are physical organs?
Should I repent and change from Yoga to Pilates?
April 18, 2008 at 8:30 am
Kim
Energy boost?
This boost comes from an occult system. An occult spiritual system.
I think you should stop doing Yoga completely and research it more.
June 23, 2008 at 12:25 pm
writetools
I agree with this post. It’s great that you have written down clearly why. I went to a yoga class or two and felt the tug… no yank…. of the spirit to leave… which I did. I have never looked back… I think when we open our mind and meditate on anything other than the Lord, we are open for attack. Same reason I quit martial arts… at some point, you get out of the merely exercise part of it and go into the “mind” part of it… and that’s the danger.
So I did switch to pilates… 🙂
June 23, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Kim
Thank you for sharing your experience and your obedience to the Holy Spirit. Sometime I will have to learn more about pilates….
If anyone would like to share about this alternative to yoga, I am sure it would be well received.
July 3, 2008 at 9:16 am
Joana D'arc
Kim, Why don’t you study history of religions so you can learn the truth about things instead of affirming things and misleading people.
What you are doing is like the blind guiding the blind. Isn’t this againt your scriptures also?
Did you forget the truth shal set you free? Stop instigating hate and misinformation.
Study history of religions and you learn a few facts and it doesn’t mean you have to change your beliefs but just RESPECT others and STOP BEING JUDGEMENTAL…but if you are perfect, you throw the first stone…
If you find the strengh to let go of your brainwashing religious chains and study history of religions, you see that Satan is a Christian creation and you can keep him.
July 3, 2008 at 9:56 am
Kim
Actually i have studied others religions. I have studied Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
Yes i do believe that the truth does set one free.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Christianity is so different from other religions. It offers us a way to eternal life even though we are sinners. If we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross and that He was resurrected we can have eternal life. We must repent of our sin and turn away from it.
I am not perfect, have never claimed to be. That is why I need Jesus. That is why i have peace and joy in my life.
July 9, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Jim
Yoga means “union with God,” what could be more Christ-like? The kingdom of heaven is within you through “yoga.”
July 9, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Layla
The kingdom of heaven is within you
Define that for me please? What do you exactly mean by this phrase? And then please give me your scriptural references to support what you present?
Thank you….
July 9, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Jim
We’re all sinners, but there is a little bit of an angel in everyone of us, isn’t there Kim? 😉
Have you heard the old American Indian story about two wolves?
An old Indian Grandfather said to his grandson who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice….
“Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times.”
He continued…
“It is as if there are two wolves inside me; One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. He saves all his energy for the right fight.
But the other wolf, ahhh!
He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.”
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather’s eyes and asked…
“Which one wins, Grandfather?”
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said…
“The one I feed.”
July 9, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Kim
cute story…but please stay on topic.
Yoga means union with whose God? The Bible says that the only way to God the Father is through Jesus Christ. John 14:6
If you use Hindu methods you will reach a Hindu God. The Bible says the idols and Gods of the nations are worthless.
I am interested in hearing a response to Layla’s questiont.
July 9, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Kim
Jim, sorry about the mix up on the email…i apologise to you.
August 21, 2008 at 11:58 am
J
Read the Chronicles of Narnia. I like how at the end of the book even the people who didn’t believe in Aslan but lived honorably still made it to “Heaven.” I mean let’s get progressive here people. Any practice that is proven to be as healthy as yoga cannot be evil in the eyes of the creator. Really all religions are just compilations of ideas and guidelines on how to live happier more productive lives. They are all different fish swimming towards the same hook. Can’t you see that it is belief systems that attack other belief systems that cause wars and terrorism in the first place. I’m still waiting for a religion that preaches tolerance which is what I THOUGHT Jesus was an advocate of. Love thy neighbor….BUt NOT IF THEY DO YOGA AND GET A GOOD STRETCH EVERY MORNING!!!!!! Ridiculous!
August 21, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Kim
There are some aspects of CS Lewis that i have a problem with. Even though he said he was a Christain he was always infatuated with paganism. There are actual pagan rites depicted in The Chronicals of Narnia, and personally i have rejected this book.
The creator tells us in the Bible to not do as the pagans do.
Christianity is not really a religion. Believing in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, and following Him in faith is what we are to do. As we read the Bible our lives grow in the Word and we learn to hate our sin and love God. It is true God is love, but do we love God?
A Christian is one who will lay down his life for his brother and for Christ like the martyrs, which is totally different from the Crusades and Inquisition.
If you are waiting for a religion which teaches tolerance, your wait is over. Newagers and pretend Christians are welcoming all religions to join as one in search of common ground for peace and world problem-solving at the expense of their beliefs.
The end-time world-wide religion is predicted to exist before the final return of Jesus Christ. It is coming. There will be few faithful left when Jesus returns.
Luke 18:8 “When the Son of Man returns will He find faith on the earth?”
Jesus does not teach tolerance. He teaches things like, Do Not Love the World, Do Not SIN, The Only Way to the Father (God) is through ME. Jesus is the only way. This is very intolerant of other beliefs. If Jesus is the one hook, then people are swimming away from it……
So if Jesus comes back today, will you be ready for Him? He is coming as a judge. What will your fate be? Heaven? Hell? These are not ridiculous thoughts, because they will determine your eternal fate.
Have you tried pilates?
August 22, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Craig Dorsheimer [formerly Lee]
Here’s a good article on this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4592051.ece
Quote:
Laurette Willis, an American exercise instructor, taught and practised yoga for 22 years before her conversion to evangelical Christianity. “I don’t think it is possible to subtract the spiritual element from yoga,” she says. “Webster’s Dictionary defines yoga as ‘an ascetic Hindu discipline’ and yoga postures derive from gestures of offering traditionally made to Hindu gods, while the pranayama breathing techniques used involve a manipulation of energy that, according to Ephesians 2:2, Christians are not supposed to do.”
August 23, 2008 at 7:46 am
cheryl U.
Kim,
I realize this isn’t the topic of this thread. But I just wanted to say I agree with you on C.S. Lewis. It always troubles me when I hear folks endorsing him 100% for these very reasons.
October 17, 2008 at 2:04 am
Vitalik
Thank you, laughed a lot )))))))
October 17, 2008 at 8:15 am
Kim
Vitalik,
Someday we will all have to stand in front of the Lord God and give an account of our lives, words and actions. The Bible says that we are not to engage in pagan practices. Please consider carefully whatever you found amusing. God Bless.
October 19, 2008 at 7:02 am
dawn
if we as a nation and a religion were actually following Christs teachings, we would show Christ to be the light of the world . . .unfortunately Christ’s words and messages have been co-opted by the state for over 1600 yrs.
Christ was not for large churches, idol worship (hey statues of Mary, Christ, crosses no no) . . .male domination of the religion. . .we don’t even know if he wanted a whole new oppressive religion. . there were plenty of those out there already.
Quit worrying about others and do more yourself to grow the Christ spirit. . .joy, love, sharing, caring. . .not judging, condemning and censuring. . .those are the tools of darkness. . .no one ever brightens things by taking away knowledge.
October 19, 2008 at 8:39 am
Kim
There is a misconception that the Bible is in error. This is not the case and here is an excerpt from an article everyone who makes this claim must read.
“The fact is that the Bible has not been rewritten. Take the New Testament, for example. The disciples of Jesus wrote the New Testament in Greek and though we do not have the original documents, we do have around 6,000 copies of the Greek manuscripts that were made very close to the time of the originals. These various manuscripts, or copies, agree with each other to almost 100 percent accuracy.”
here is the site this article can be found.
http://www.carm.org/questions/rewritten.htm
I do worry about others. Gods Word tells us to go and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations. It is only through believing in the sacrifice of God’s Son Jesus Christ that we are eternally saved. We are to repent, turn away from our old ways and walk in faith as we grow in the Christian life.
People only like to think about the love of Jesus and try to minimize the fact that He is returning soon and is coming as a Judge.
That is why the study of the whole Bible is important. We need to know and learn about all the aspects and attributes of God. The New Age god is one that only speaks of love and peace and not of sacrifice, surrender of life, and repentance of sin.
I am not anyone’s judge but I want all to know that Jesus is coming again and all will bow a knee before Him and confess He is Lord, and then we will be judged. I have to ask… how will you fare? What will your eternal destiny be?
Off to church…..
October 21, 2008 at 3:13 pm
johnny
you are right to trust in the bible as it is….it is not right to trust those who have headed the christian movement throughout history …as in those who changed doctrine and took out many passages originally in our bible; those who have led all crusades including those today(Bushes, Mossad, and Israel Elites!); the fact is the Bible has been re-written many times to deal w/the public influences the church authorities in power over time have wanted to put in place! Obviously the more complex, and yet simpler the Bible is, the more power the church has to say about it and less the audience can detect on their own! seriously how many of believers are physicists because referencing and re-referencing to confirm scripture is absurdly to complex for simple people which in turn leads them to deception by those ‘who know’ what it all means! And can we trust the Apostles and/or Jesus for being honest, etc etc when they were rebelling like Ghandi(in a sense not literally) against the Roman Empire! and seriously how does GOD speak to you! In the Bible (dont know quote) but have been told the ‘voice’ in your head/soul whatever is the devil! Ha! which is it! you see how confusing it all is! Now i can accept your arguement about eastern philosophies being ‘demonic’ …kinda scary having yourself easily influenced, seduced, etc etc w/Yoga but then id have to say the same bout christianity and it’s influence on the Eastern Philosophies before Christianity was even dreamt of! Ok ive said alot and lost track of pts but the 6000 pgs or whatever of proving it was copied alot back then making it true and new findings such as Acts of Peter, etc etc…..well we have to ? quite a bit before proclaiming anything wrong or right…which is GOD’s job not ours! For fact i believe in Christ by the way so you know lol! GL w/everything! that above ive typed and more i havent is all the more proof w/o Christ we aren’t gonna make it anywhere let alone heaven!
October 21, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Kim
I believe that the Bible is reliable, inerrant and infallible because it has been inspired by God.
Look up scriptures Psalm 119:96 138, 160; John 10:35; Romans 7:12, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
The reformation brought God’s Word to the people. Before people had to go the priests. We need to read the Bible from front to back. In this way no one can use a verse out of context to deceive us. Those who are relying on the “prophetic” type ministries and do not read the Bible anymore are in danger of falling away and being led from the truth.
When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives, we truly hunger for the Word of God. When I read the Bible it is the Holy Spirit that illuminates its meaning and makes scripture applicable to my life. It is through the Bible that we HEAR from God. I almost always find something encouraging, hopeful, or convicting when I study daily.
Because the Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible we can learn from it on our own. We need to spend time daily alone with God to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But we also need good teaching and fellowship with other Christians, to exhort and encourage us.
October 21, 2008 at 8:02 pm
innocent bystander
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him,
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
John 8 : 31-32
November 21, 2008 at 10:49 am
someone
lets get this straight. Yoga means unit, unit of the mind and body! You are so stupid to think that yoga has anything to do with religion. Yoga is excersice not reading your bible OK! I know a million Christians who do yoga! There is nothing wrong with it so shut the heck up and think for one minute!
November 21, 2008 at 10:50 am
someone
union i mean!
November 21, 2008 at 10:59 am
Kim
Actually, i have studied this issue for more than two years. A good book to read is Yoga and Body of Christ by Dave Hunt.
We are not to follow the broad path which sadly many professing Christians do. I too at one time practiced a few of the postures, but now I never would do this.
Here is a great research site with many articles about Yoga and the Christian.
http://www.erwm.com/Yoga.htm
November 21, 2008 at 11:28 am
Kim
Lee submitted this quote not too long ago on August 22
Quote:
Laurette Willis, an American exercise instructor, taught and practised yoga for 22 years before her conversion to evangelical Christianity. “I don’t think it is possible to subtract the spiritual element from yoga,” she says. “Webster’s Dictionary defines yoga as ‘an ascetic Hindu discipline’ and yoga postures derive from gestures of offering traditionally made to Hindu gods, while the pranayama breathing techniques used involve a manipulation of energy that, according to Ephesians 2:2, Christians are not supposed to do.”
November 21, 2008 at 11:55 am
Kim
One more quote from:
Subhas R. Tiwari is a professor at the Hindu University of America. He is a graduate of the famed Bihar Yoga Bharati University with a master’s degree in yoga philosophy.
source:
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2006/1-3/09_opinion.shtml
November 21, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Jeff
let’s see 2 years of study vs a one second thought… Hmm…
Who needs to think first?
Back off yoga boy!
November 21, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Kim
Jeff..Jeff…. it’s okay!!!!
When you speak up against eastern/new age ideals vs. Christianity you will be called intolerant, stupid, uneducated, ignorant, ridiculous, and this is just for starters…..Jesus said we will be mocked for our beliefs….I am used to it.
November 21, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Jeff
oooh ok sorry..
Yoga boy!
LOL couldn’t help my self…
Jeff
January 22, 2009 at 4:10 pm
fed up with being condemned
I wish you all the best in your beliefs and convictions. I, however, do not share them, and am getting tired of people telling me various versions of “you’re going to burn in hell for your beliefs.” Hell is an idea that is part of the framework of the religion of Christianity. Possibly others, I’m not sure since I’m not a theologian. Why is it wrong for someone to believe something other than what you believe? I am a kind, generous, caring, giving individual who does not push my beliefs on any other soul. If you believe differently than I, then I am happy for you. Everyone should find what works for them, what rings true for them, and embrace it. Celebrate it.
I left Christianity behind because I find something inherently damaging in believing that you are BAD because you’re human. I find no need to martyr myself or guilt myself into a certain religion for fear of what may happen to me after I die. To me, any belief system that requires you to think so horribly about yourself is nothing I want to be a part of.
You will most likely call me a heathen. A pagan. Or maybe even a witch. That’s ok. You say you’re used to being called names? Well honey, so am I. Imagine walking out of a store and being told you’re going to burn simply because your beliefs are different from the person who’s talking to you? It hurts.
I believe in tolerance and having an open mind.
You can worry about my soul all you want. Just keep it to yourself because I don’t want to hear it anymore. I’m not worried about my soul. It’s just fine the way it is.
Laura