Topic: Vatican's Exorcist: Yoga Is Satanic

[Jetavan]

Father Gabriele Amorth, who for years was the Vatican’s chief exorcist and claims to have cleansed hundreds of people of evil spirits, said yoga is Satanic because it leads to a worship of Hinduism and “all eastern religions are based on a false belief in reincarnation”.
....
“Practising yoga is Satanic, it leads to evil just like reading Harry Potter,” he told a film festival in Umbria this week, where he was invited to introduce The Rite, a film about exorcism starring Sir Anthony Hopkins as a Jesuit priest.
 
“In Harry Potter the Devil acts in a crafty and covert manner, under the guise of extraordinary powers, magic spells and curses,” said the priest, who in 1986 was appointed the chief exorcist for the Diocese of Rome.

[Iconodule]

Put this one up with the fatwa against samozas

[Maria]

Attacking Yoga and Harry Potter in the same sentence?

Although I do agree with his statement, there is going to be a lot of outrage expressed here by Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and others. The Harry Potter series is being promoted in most public and private schools.

[biro]

There are better exercise programs one can do instead. I have a book on the U.S. Army's calisthenics system, and it's pretty rigorous.

[Maria]

There are better exercise programs one can do instead. I have a book on the U.S. Army's calisthenics system, and it's pretty rigorous.

Is that book available on Amazon?

Any links?

[biro]

This is the one I have. Very thorough.

U.S. Army Fitness Training Handbook

The second one, I don't have, but it looks pretty good too.

The U.S. Army Total Fitness Program

[IsmiLiora]

Pilates is yoga without all of the spiritual stuff added to it.

However, on the occasion I do yoga for my fibromyalgia, I'm usually blasting obnoxious techno music. Most demons tend to stay away from that. At least I think so.

[Maria]

This is the one I have. Very thorough.

U.S. Army Fitness Training Handbook

The second one, I don't have, but it looks pretty good too.

The U.S. Army Total Fitness Program

Cool

Thanks.

[Iconodule]

Pilates is yoga without all of the spiritual stuff added to it.

The notion that something can be free of "spiritual stuff" is also spiritual stuff.

[IsmiLiora]

Pilates is yoga without all of the spiritual stuff added to it.

The notion that something can be free of "spiritual stuff" is also spiritual stuff.

I know where you are going, but there is an obvious difference between pilates and yoga as they are practiced in their strictest definition. Not that I find it too much of an issue -- I do both depending on what I need at the moment. But otherwise than breathing exercises for both, I just use some yoga positions to relieve pain in some areas of my body. My friend who practices yoga actively tells me that I'm doing it "wrong." I know.

I've never done yoga with an instructor or anything, though. I first practiced pilates when I was a ballet dancer -- they have no mercy. Pilates can be really intense!

[orthonorm]

Pilates is yoga without all of the spiritual stuff added to it.

However, on the occasion I do yoga for my fibromyalgia, I'm usually blasting obnoxious techno music. Most demons tend to stay away from that. At least I think so.

Try again.

[samkim]

I'm hesitant to practice yoga because of its pagan background. But I'm also hesitant to call it demonic. We've made use of lots of pagan things in the past, baptizing it, and making it Christian.

I think it's a bit silly when people call Karate demonic, too. All Asian kids grow up going to Karate!

[orthonorm]

There are better exercise programs one can do instead. I have a book on the U.S. Army's calisthenics system, and it's pretty rigorous.

Is that book available on Amazon?

Any links?

You could always do the 5BX, the fitness much regarded fitness of the Canadian Royal Air Force.

[biro]

This is the one I have. Very thorough.

U.S. Army Fitness Training Handbook

The second one, I don't have, but it looks pretty good too.

The U.S. Army Total Fitness Program

Cool

Thanks.

You're welcome.   

[Russell]

“all eastern religions are based on a false belief in reincarnation”.

Isn't Christianity an eastern religion?

[Orthodox11]

Isn't Christianity an eastern religion?

Not if Jerusalem is considered the centre of the world.

[jckstraw72]

this priest is spot on!

[orthonorm]

There are better exercise programs one can do instead. I have a book on the U.S. Army's calisthenics system, and it's pretty rigorous.

Is that book available on Amazon?

Any links?

You could always do the 5BX, the fitness much regarded fitness of the Canadian Royal Air Force.

lol. That's what happens with lingering brain trauma and two open chat windows.

[Hiwot]

Isn't Christianity an eastern religion?

Not if Jerusalem is considered the centre of the world.

LOL

[Marc1152]

Attacking Yoga and Harry Potter in the same sentence?

Although I do agree with his statement, there is going to be a lot of outrage expressed here by Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and others. The Harry Potter series is being promoted in most public and private schools.

and Hello Kitty....

[primuspilus]

I have to agree with the exorcist on this one. Yoga is highly dangerous. When taken to its extreme you end up mutating your body and breathing fire. See?




How deadly!


PP

[Jetavan]

The Sanskrit "yoga" is cognate with the English "yoke" (and the Greek "zugos"), with all of them associated with the general meaning of join, joining, and to join.

From a Hindu perspective, Jesus introduced a Christian Yoga. Matthew 11:29-30:

Take my yoga upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoga is easy, and my burden is light.

It's interesting that the Greek origin of "devil", "diabolos", can mean division, separation; which is the opposite of yoga, which is joining, a coming together. So yoga is the exact opposite of Satan.

[Iconodule]

Attacking Yoga and Harry Potter in the same sentence?

Although I do agree with his statement, there is going to be a lot of outrage expressed here by Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and others. The Harry Potter series is being promoted in most public and private schools.

and Hello Kitty....

[IsmiLiora]

Niiiice.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

I highly recommend this book:


http://www.amazon.com/Gurus-Young-Man-Elder-Paisios/dp/1887904166



Selam

[PeterTheAleut]

Father Gabriele Amorth, who for years was the Vatican’s chief exorcist and claims to have cleansed hundreds of people of evil spirits, said yoga is Satanic because it leads to a worship of Hinduism and “all eastern religions are based on a false belief in reincarnation”.
....
“Practising yoga is Satanic, it leads to evil just like reading Harry Potter,” he told a film festival in Umbria this week, where he was invited to introduce The Rite, a film about exorcism starring Sir Anthony Hopkins as a Jesuit priest.
 
“In Harry Potter the Devil acts in a crafty and covert manner, under the guise of extraordinary powers, magic spells and curses,” said the priest, who in 1986 was appointed the chief exorcist for the Diocese of Rome.

Has this fellow even read Harry Potter?

[biro]

Probably not.

I remember when there were the riots over The Satanic Verses. My Mom and I were watching the news. I said, "How many of these people do you think have read the book?"

She said, "Zero."

[Ortho_cat]

Dhalsim: yoga flame!

[FatherGiryus]

There is a difference between asanas, which are exercises associated with yoga, and yoga meditation.

Asanas are exercises that prepare the body for the long hours of rigid stillness that meditation requires.  They are not really metaphysical practices.  In the US and most of the West, the asanas are what most people call 'yoga,' though a true yogi would laugh at such an idea.

So, Fr. Amorth is right to condemn yoga, because it is a self-centric meditation system which relies on a great deal of metaphysical presuppositions that Christians reject, the first being 'enlightenment' without Christ.

However, I don't think there is any condemnation of asanas, just as we do not condemn doctors for using the Caduceus as a sign of their practice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus).  After all, so long as the asanas are done without the metaphysical elements or the intention of engaging in pagan rituals, they are just body-building techniques.

[Riddikulus]

Father Gabriele Amorth, who for years was the Vatican’s chief exorcist and claims to have cleansed hundreds of people of evil spirits, said yoga is Satanic because it leads to a worship of Hinduism and “all eastern religions are based on a false belief in reincarnation”.
....
“Practising yoga is Satanic, it leads to evil just like reading Harry Potter,” he told a film festival in Umbria this week, where he was invited to introduce The Rite, a film about exorcism starring Sir Anthony Hopkins as a Jesuit priest.
 
“In Harry Potter the Devil acts in a crafty and covert manner, under the guise of extraordinary powers, magic spells and curses,” said the priest, who in 1986 was appointed the chief exorcist for the Diocese of Rome.

  Thanks Jetavan. I needed a laugh. 

[GTAsoldier]

Dhalsim: yoga flame!

 

[christian7777]

I don't do yoga anyway. I prefer weightlifting.

[vamrat]

Attacking Yoga and Harry Potter in the same sentence?

Although I do agree with his statement, there is going to be a lot of outrage expressed here by Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and others. The Harry Potter series is being promoted in most public and private schools.

and Hello Kitty....

Did they really have to defame the Blood Angels with that photoshop?  Coulda used the Ultramarines is all I'm sayin.

[GiC]

I don't do yoga anyway. I prefer weightlifting.

Then you should definitely be doing yoga. I hate yoga, don't get me wrong, that stuff's hard, painful, and miserable; but, when you plateau a strong stretching regimen, like yoga along with slow deep squats and really slow and deep flys, will help you break out of it and get to the next level.

[Balthasar]

Why is it that many 'Christians' have difficulties in saying everything which is not of Christ as being satanic? Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Mormonism, Capitalism, Communism, Islamism, Nazism, Racism are all from Satan, aren't they?

[orthonorm]

Why is it that many 'Christians' have difficulties in saying everything which is not of Christ as being satanic? Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Mormonism, Capitalism, Communism, Islamism, Nazism, Racism are all from Satan, aren't they?

Is the above quote of Christ?

Let me know, so I know whether to toss it in with the Def Leopard albums into the bon fire. Their drummer only used three limbs, obviously mocking the Trinity.

 

[Riddikulus]

Why is it that many 'Christians' have difficulties in saying everything which is not of Christ as being satanic? Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Mormonism, Capitalism, Communism, Islamism, Nazism, Racism are all from Satan, aren't they?

I find it interesting that you class what are honest attempts to reach out to God along with Nazism and Racism. While Nazism and Racism certainly are the antipathy of all that is good, can one say the same thing of religions that we don't agree with? As pagan as we consider them, surely these other faiths can be nothing more than misguided and misinformed. That anyone seeks God, even by what we consider the most torturous of paths, leaves them open to the truth, something that surely bugs satan to all heck.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

Why is it that many 'Christians' have difficulties in saying everything which is not of Christ as being satanic? Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Mormonism, Capitalism, Communism, Islamism, Nazism, Racism are all from Satan, aren't they?

Is the above quote of Christ?

Let me know, so I know whether to toss it in with the Def Leopard albums into the bon fire. Their drummer only used three limbs, obviously mocking the Trinity.

 

LOL! That was funny.

But to be fair, I think Balthasar is clearly citing philosophies, religions, and ideologies that are opposed to Christian Truth- not artistic genres (although some artistic genres may very well be demonic; but that's another issue, and I don't have a firm opinion about that yet).


Selam

[Jetavan]

Instructor Cori Withell from Hampshire said her yoga and pilates classes at St Edmund's Church building in Southampton were cancelled with 10 days to go.

Father John Chandler said that the hall had to be used for Catholic activities, and he banned it because it was advertised as "spiritual yoga".
....
The ban is not Catholic Church policy and decisions are left to the discretion of individual priests.
....
Ms Withell said she did not use meditation in her classes, just exercises.
....
Fr Chandler said...."We did say that yoga could not take place. It's the fact that it's a different religious practice going on in a Catholic church. It's not compatible. We are not saying that yoga is bad or wrong."

[Shanghaiski]

The Sanskrit "yoga" is cognate with the English "yoke" (and the Greek "zugos"), with all of them associated with the general meaning of join, joining, and to join.

From a Hindu perspective, Jesus introduced a Christian Yoga. Matthew 11:29-30:

Take my yoga upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoga is easy, and my burden is light.

It's interesting that the Greek origin of "devil", "diabolos", can mean division, separation; which is the opposite of yoga, which is joining, a coming together. So yoga is the exact opposite of Satan.

Yoga comes from India. Aryans come from India. Aryans sound just like Arians. Therefore, yoga is heresy.

[Shanghaiski]

There is a difference between asanas, which are exercises associated with yoga, and yoga meditation.

Asanas are exercises that prepare the body for the long hours of rigid stillness that meditation requires.  They are not really metaphysical practices.  In the US and most of the West, the asanas are what most people call 'yoga,' though a true yogi would laugh at such an idea.

So, Fr. Amorth is right to condemn yoga, because it is a self-centric meditation system which relies on a great deal of metaphysical presuppositions that Christians reject, the first being 'enlightenment' without Christ.

However, I don't think there is any condemnation of asanas, just as we do not condemn doctors for using the Caduceus as a sign of their practice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus).  After all, so long as the asanas are done without the metaphysical elements or the intention of engaging in pagan rituals, they are just body-building techniques.

What about the ethos of the arsanas? "Namaste," etc. I have the same question about karate and the perspective that comes with it.

[Shanghaiski]

Why is it that many 'Christians' have difficulties in saying everything which is not of Christ as being satanic? Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Mormonism, Capitalism, Communism, Islamism, Nazism, Racism are all from Satan, aren't they?

At least National Socialism has an ethos.

[Shanghaiski]

Why is it that many 'Christians' have difficulties in saying everything which is not of Christ as being satanic? Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Mormonism, Capitalism, Communism, Islamism, Nazism, Racism are all from Satan, aren't they?

And Macs. Mustn't forget those.

[jckstraw72]

Why is it that many 'Christians' have difficulties in saying everything which is not of Christ as being satanic? Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Mormonism, Capitalism, Communism, Islamism, Nazism, Racism are all from Satan, aren't they?

At least National Socialism has an ethos.

these men are nihilists, they're cowards.

[vamrat]

Why is it that many 'Christians' have difficulties in saying everything which is not of Christ as being satanic? Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Mormonism, Capitalism, Communism, Islamism, Nazism, Racism are all from Satan, aren't they?

At least National Socialism has an ethos.

these men are nihilists, they're cowards.

Oh, how passe.