Hindu Council Attacks 'Illegal' Church Ban on Yoga
The Hindu Council UK (HCUK), the largest national network of Hindu organisations within the UK, is considering whether a ban on yoga classes at St James' Church and the Silver Street Baptist Church in Taunton, Somerset, may breach the Equality Act 2006.
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 10:32 (BST)
The Hindu Council UK (HCUK), the largest national network of Hindu organisations within the UK, is considering whether a ban on yoga classes at St James' Church and the Silver Street Baptist Church in Taunton, Somerset, may breach the Equality Act 2006.
Lawyers for HCUK are exploring whether comments made by both The Reverend Tim Jones, Vicar of St James' and The Reverend Simon Farrar of the Silver Street Baptist Church that yoga is a "sham", a "false philosophy" and "unchristian" may indicate they have acted contrary to the 'Religion and Belief' section of the Act, specifically those parts relating to discrimination in providing goods, facilities and services.
HCUK is also considering whether to ask the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to investigate whether the priests' comments amount to "instructing or causing discrimination".
Along with other faith bodies, HCUK debated and contributed to the Equality Act before it became law. In these debates it was agreed unanimously from an interfaith perspective that the hire of religious premises should not restrict multi-cultural events without good reason, and that faiths themselves should participate in such activities.
HCUK General Secretary Anil Bhanot said: "These priests might appear to be advising Christians not to practice yoga because they believe it is based on a 'sham' and a 'false philosophy' but what in effect they mean is that Hinduism is a false religion.
HCUK's spokesperson on Yoga, Amarjeet-singh Bhamra added: "Yoga is one of the oldest known medical systems enshrined in the Atharva Veda, the most ancient Hindu book on wisdom, and it is now at the forefront of holistic and integrated medicine in the West.
"It is very disappointing that such medieval-like irrational prejudice is still allowed to flourish in the Christian Church in 21st Century multicultural Britain."
"Hinduism is an ancient religion that is the source of many different theologies, philosophies and sciences," adds Anil Bhanot. "Many Hindus believe the source of all music can be found within one of our most ancient scriptures, the Saam Veda. It will be interesting to see, now they have been apprised of this, whether those church leaders who reject yoga will now announce a ban on all music on their premises too."
Rev Farrar of Silver Street Baptist Church has previously said: "We are a Christian organisation and when we let rooms to people we want them to understand that they must be fully in line with our Christian ethos.
"Clearly, yoga impinges on the spiritual life of people in a way which we as Christians don't believe is the same as our ethos.
"If it was just a group of children singing nursery rhymes, there wouldn't be a problem but she's called it yoga and therefore there is a dividing line we're not prepared to cross."
The Rev Tim Jones, vicar of St James's, supported the decision, saying: "Any alternative philosophies or beliefs are offering a sham - and at St James's Church we want people to have the real thing. Yoga has its roots in Hinduism, and attempts to use exercises and relaxation techniques to put a person into a calm frame of mind - in touch with some kind of impersonal spiritual reality.
"The philosophy of yoga cannot be separated from the practice of it, and any teacher of yoga, even to toddlers, must subscribe to the philosophy.
"Yoga may appear harmless or even beneficial, but it is encouraging people to think that there is a way to wholeness of body and mind through human techniques - whereas the only true way to wholeness is by faith in God through Jesus Christ."
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Added: Tuesday, January 15, 2008, 15:22 (GMT)
OK, I want to start Bible studies and preaching in every single mosque and Hindu temple. If they opposse, well, are not all religions equal before the law, and what about peace among them?
Antonio, Canaries, Spain
Added: Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 19:38 (BST)
I wonder why other religions are so interested in infiltrating our Christian Churches. Are they trying to take over our Faith as well as our land.
I am sure most mosques would welcome the the Yoga faiths, so why not go where they are wanted and not try to invade our places of worship with their man-made beliefs.
Sandra Griffiths, Southport
Added: Monday, October 15, 2007, 17:17 (BST)
The whole basis of YOGA (and Hinduism) is the pantheistic, and panentheistic occult philosophy of Eastern occult religion. The arousal of Kundalini [occult] energy, the "Serpent Power", is the foundation and ultimate aim of all YOGA! To believe otherwise is to be ignorant of the facts and to reject what the world's leading YOGA authorities and occult texts say.
For any Christian to practice YOGA in any way, shape, or form is to compromise the very foundation of the Christian Worldview. It is also a blatant compromise of one's personal faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 6:14-7:1)
"Christian YOGA", and Christians "doing" Yoga, is to put into practice the ultimate oxymoron. To do so is to subtlely bring occult philosophy (through its occult methodology) into the church.
Christians, like Muslims, Jains, Sufis, Hindus, etc., have every right to be set apart (1 Cor. 6:14-7:1) from that which they would personally consider to be an abomination. In the case of the Christian, the God of the Bible condemns all occultism and every form of paganism as an abomination - this would also include YOGA, which comes straight out of the world of the the occult. (See also Lev.19:31; 20:6; 20:27; Num.22:7; 23:23; Deut. 13; 18:9-14; 29:4; Jer.14:14; 29:8; Ezekiel 12:24; 13:6-7; 21:22,23; Acts 16:16...)
Some say YOGA predates Hinduism. Even if it does that is beside the point! YOGA is still occult in nature and can lead humans into all manner of spiritual, mental, psychological, physical and physiological chaos - including severe possession states, suicidal tendencies, irreversible brain damage, undiagnosable diseases, extreme psychoses, excruciating pain, etc.
Christians should be allowed to NOT do YOGA and to warn others of the dangers involved in YOGA. They should also be allowed to attend churches where loving and informed pastors and church leadership will warn them of the dangers of YOGA.
Chris Lawson, Cambria, USA
Added: Monday, October 1, 2007, 12:39 (BST)
Yes the church has a right not to allow false religion on their premises, I praise the Lord they are standing up for our God in our Nation, we have rights too - we do not tell them to worship our God in their establishments do we? May the lord honour His people and may it be banned.
Jacqueline, Cirencester
Added: Sunday, September 23, 2007, 18:28 (BST)
Could the HCUK spokesperson please give us an example of "medieval-like irrational prejudice" from the medieval period?
To my mind "medieval" equals 'old' not 'wrong'
bryan, Leamington Spa, UK
Added: Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 11:30 (BST)
At last someone has spoken out for the truth about what yoga really is. God bless the pastors concerned and may the rest of the church follow this example. I almost died because of my involvement in various hindu traditions but I thank God for Jesus who set me free. He is the truth.
G, london
Added: Monday, September 10, 2007, 9:46 (BST)
I'm going to go to my nearest Hindu temple and start a Bible Study, preaching Christ as the sole way to the One True God. If they have a problem, I'll mention the 2006 law and tell THEM to stop being so bigotted in multicultural Britain! (all in love of course!)
Jim, Sheffield, England
Added: Thursday, September 6, 2007, 15:30 (BST)
Err... isnt this a privately owned building by a church who can choose quite rightly who and when they hire their hall out to? Another example of dilluting peoples rights to their own faith and beliefs. As 'sam' commented, would a Hindu temple allow someone to do something on their premises which goes against their faith? Say... a big old beef BBQ? Obviously not.
If Ms Woodcock made her intentions clear from the beginning that she was going to be holding Yoga classes, and the church had said 'sorry no' there probably would have been no big deal.
Some other churches may have no issue with allowing yoga classes on site, maybe they should also consider that while they think they are just keeping the peace, they dont realise the damage they cause for all the rest of the Christian faith and community.
Respect to you Rev. Jones. and Rev. Farrar for standing up for what is good and right.
God bless.
TC, London, UK
Added: Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 4:29 (BST)
just a question to the hindus..
will they allow yoga inside a sacred temple of theirs?
or how about some gymnastics?
its related to health right?
so it aint a problem..
similar way..church has its policies and rules..which it needs to maintain..according to christian ethics..yoga inside church aint good
sam, blr
Added: Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 13:28 (BST)
What a nonsense and irony is that the Hindus are irritated because they didn't
get a chance to teach yoga in a Church! Radical Hindus are attacking Christains in homes and Churches all across India, especially at the silicone valley of
India called Bangalore. Can the Hindus allow Christians to preach inside a
Hindu Temple? Yoga may sound very harmless, but the class has to start with
narrating prayer to a Hindu God. If the attacks on Christians are not stopped in
India, the Hindu community around the world will be looked with suspense.
A. S. Mathew, Ringgold, GA
