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Syro-Malabar [Catholic] Church Says Yoga is Incompatible with Christianity
AsiaNews ^ | 4/7/18

Posted on 04/11/2018 6:45:09 PM PDT by marshmallow

The Church’s Doctrinal Commission released a report on ‘Yoga and Catholic beliefs’. The practice is mandatory in schools. Hindu nationalists "try to exploit yoga to achieve their political and sectarian goals." The Church warns against equating “physical experiences stemming from yoga with the workings of the Holy Spirit.”

Mananthavady (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The practice of yoga is incompatible with Christian doctrine, this according to a report issued by the Syro-Malabar Church, one of the three rites of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).

Published in the latest bulletin of the eparchy of Mananthavady, the paper by the Syro-Malabar Doctrinal Commission is titled ‘Yoga and Catholic beliefs’ (Yogayum Katholika Vishvasavum).

It notes that yoga and Christianity cannot go together and that Hindu nationalist groups (Sangh Parivar) "try to exploit yoga to achieve their political and sectarian goals."

It calls for a “re-reading of yoga” since the “government has moved towards making yoga compulsory in schools and present it as an inseparable part of Indian culture.”

This is not the first time that Syro-Malabar Bishops have spoken out on this matter. Last year they stated that "yoga is not a means to reach contact with the divine, although it may contribute to physical and mental health."

Yoga is a set of physical, mental, and spiritual practices that originated in India and spread around the world. It combines physical and breathing exercises. In Hinduism, it is also a spiritual journey to experience contact with the divine.

In Indian schools, yoga is compulsory and every year, on International Day Yoga (21 June), schools focus on activities and events dedicated to yoga.

(Excerpt) Read more at asianews.it ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Ministry/Outreach; Other non-Christian
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To: stanne
Because Christians don’t chant?

Ever hear the Benedictine Monks do the beautiful Gregorian Chants?

****************************************************

Because Christians don’t meditate?

Ever hear of contemplative prayer?

*****************************************************

Because Christians don’t assume ritualized physical postures?


21 posted on 04/11/2018 7:18:16 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings)
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To: tired&retired

Nonsense.


22 posted on 04/11/2018 7:18:37 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: reasonisfaith

“The important question is who you’re praying to.”

Bingo!!!


23 posted on 04/11/2018 7:18:56 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings)
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To: stanne

Is that a fact? Glad I’m not a Catholic then.


24 posted on 04/11/2018 7:19:19 PM PDT by TigersEye (This is the age of the death of reason.)
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To: TigersEye

I’ve already told Beau that THIS is how it’s going to play out:

I’m going to eat what I want and drink my Dirty Martinis on Friday Nights and pretty much laze around (AFTER Farm Chores!) until I’m 70.

THEN - I’m going to suffer a heart attack or a stroke, which I (miraculously) survive.

THEN - I’m going to be one of those Grannies that runs Marathons and Climbs Mountains and Swims the English Channel...and he’d BETTER be able to keep up with me!

Plan the WORK, then work the PLAN, Baby! ;)


25 posted on 04/11/2018 7:21:16 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Fungi

If I pronounce Jesus in another language, am I worshipping a different person? Of course not.

If I call you by a different name, does that make you a different person? Of course not.


26 posted on 04/11/2018 7:22:11 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

LOL

I couldn’t come up with a better plan if I actually planned things! :)


27 posted on 04/11/2018 7:23:51 PM PDT by TigersEye (This is the age of the death of reason.)
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To: tired&retired

It’s because we DO. We put a lot of value in prayer meditation and posturing. It’s why we don’t do such from other religions


28 posted on 04/11/2018 7:25:28 PM PDT by stanne
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To: Fungi

If you don’t do yoga as it is a tool in the Hindu religion, then you shouldn’t take drugs to kill pain as drugs are tools in many religions to experience God.


29 posted on 04/11/2018 7:26:37 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings)
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To: marshmallow
This was previously stated by then-Cardinal Ratzinger in 1989, specifically referring to Yoga meditative practices (rather than Yoga as a physical exercise system) as well as Zen and TM, following a detailed study of the topic. Thomas Dubay discussed some of the problematic aspects of Eastern meditation for Catholics in his work on St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila, such as Fire Within, citing specific passages from St. Teresa that addresed similar practices in her time.
30 posted on 04/11/2018 7:28:06 PM PDT by Fedora
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I like your plan....

I died first, at age 32. Went to Heaven, met Jesus and experienced the Divine Bliss of God. Then returned to this darn body and experienced the illusion of being separate from God again. I hate it here in this physical body!


31 posted on 04/11/2018 7:29:17 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings)
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Comment #32 Removed by Moderator

To: TigersEye

You can use my plan. It’s not copyrighted.

Yet!


33 posted on 04/11/2018 7:30:37 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: tired&retired

Nonsense.


34 posted on 04/11/2018 7:30:53 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: Fedora

I agree.

I just can’t see the Apostle Paul doing yoga.


35 posted on 04/11/2018 7:31:11 PM PDT by yarddog
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To: Jyotishi

Would they have any kosher baloney at the Christian /yoga retreat?
John 14:6.


36 posted on 04/11/2018 7:31:36 PM PDT by KDF48 (Redeemed by Christ.)
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To: tired&retired

Nonsense. Are you a Christian?


37 posted on 04/11/2018 7:31:39 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: Jyotishi

Would they have any kosher baloney at the Christian /yoga retreat?
John 14:6.


38 posted on 04/11/2018 7:32:03 PM PDT by KDF48 (Redeemed by Christ.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I’m in on the ground floor!? Woo hoo!


39 posted on 04/11/2018 7:32:10 PM PDT by TigersEye (This is the age of the death of reason.)
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To: all the best

Can’t be true what you said. Because I was born in a fairly religious Hindu family who worshiped and prayed to the Gods every day, and when I left India at age 20, I did not know anything about yoga, did not ever see my parents or older siblings practice yoga. Only after coming to America I found out about yoga and what it entails. Now in my 70’s, I have never practiced yoga, but pray to Hindu Gods often.


40 posted on 04/11/2018 7:32:24 PM PDT by entropy12 (30 Million low wealth, low skill LEGAL chain migrants in 25 years is growing EXPONENTIALLY..)
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