Dear editor:
I am replying to a previous letter titled "Yoga's origins." No doubt this is a serious topic for many and one that may be oft read though rarely responded to. For most Americans, Christianity is the only religion they have ever really known, whether that be a nondenominational church or a very structured orthodox environment. Like many, I grew up in a church and I was also very active in ministries throughout my youth. My father was a Baptist pastor, my brother continues this trend.
Despite my personal beliefs, it typically bothers me whenever an individual attempts to persuade others to their religious perspectives. Are we not called to be fishers of men, you might ask? Perhaps, but why be hostile or pushy concerning it? This has historically not gone very well unless you place a military or government body behind it, and then it becomes a tail-wags-the-dog situation. You would no longer be a Christian for the right reason.
Christians believe for the most part that no other religion counts, despite Jesus having told us to respect and love everyone. That's it. This goes for many different topics of debate in recent times. He did not stutter. This is John 13-34. Obviously there are verses condemning you to an eternity in hell should you not accept Jesus into your life. We won't go there for the sake of docility, but the Bible is very clear about that as well, right? As Christians often do, we have now cherry picked our way into a certain way of thinking, which differs amongst people and which eventually results in creating differing denominations, ultimately driving wedges between once united peoples and cultures.
I argue. You argue. No one wins.
In defense of yoga, and specifically Hinduism, it is the oldest religion still followed en mass. It predates Christianity by 3,000 years. I have a great deal of respect for the average Hindu because I love peaceful, intelligent beings who do not judge harshly, and the same can be said for many Christians, but please don't attack someone's way of life when you know very little about the subject.
If you are unsure whether or not yoga will harm your Christian faith, here are some facts and myths to consider. Is doing yoga pagan worship? No. To say otherwise is to say we should no longer celebrate Easter or Christmas, as these both began as pagan traditions. At its most basic, yoga is a physical discipline involving stretching, strength training and breathing exercises. By practicing the physical aspects of the discipline, we develop an acute awareness of the natural state of our bodies, increased focus and heightened self-control, which is good, according to Galatians 5:22.
Meditation is referenced throughout scripture -- Jesus did it, David did it and the Lord exhorted Joshua to do it (Joshua 1:8). Meditation is as integral to Christianity as it is to Hinduism, but because of cultural influences, Christians have been convinced that the only way to meditate is through silent reflection or in private counsel with a hand of God.
Please, people, for the love of your brothers and sisters, allow God to judge others' actions and not your ill-conceived views of righteousness. Because you don't understand it, that does not mean it is evil. This country was once a proud melting pot. Now it seems to be a resentful, hateful bunch unless you fit some predefined notions of some "proper lifestyle." Learn to relax.
Charlie Lange
Hot Springs
Editorial on 09/28/2014