The Southern Baptist War On Yoga

Don Hinkle of Missouri's The Pathway has taken the lead in this effort. As you may remember, we here at thebigdaddyweave.com have tinkled, eh taken on Mr. Hinkle before.

Check him out at Thoughts And Adventures:

New Age yoga, a form of Hinduism, is working its way into some of our churches.

Earlier this year, former LifeWay Christian Resources President Jimmy Draper offered this warning: “Our society is ripe for demonic activity. Our preoccupation – and even ‘flirting’ – with the occult invites demonic oppression. Even the seemingly innocent and careless use of occult tools is tragic. Things like the use of a Ouija board, astrological horoscopes, witchcraft, and even yoga are dangerous and provide openings for the demonic into unsuspecting lives.”

Books on yoga occupy the bookshelves of Christian bookstores. Churches offer it as a class. Some are calling it “Christian yoga,” but there is nothing Christian about yoga. In fact, rather than lead Christians to God as it claims, it actually leads Christians away from God. Many Eastern religions teach that the source of salvation is found in us and that the fundamental problem is ignorance. This is contrary to what the Bible tells us. The fundamental human problem is not ignorance, but rather our sin against a holy God, who gave His only son as our only source of salvation.

It is estimated that 20 million Americans practice yoga. It’s certainly “hip” among the rich and famous. Madonna, Oprah Winfrey, Monica Lewinski, Hillary Clinton, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Al and Tipper Gore are all yogis......

Hinkle may have his hands full with this one. A cursory glance at ultra-conservative Baptist colleges and universities reveal that Houston Baptist University, Union University, Shorter College and my favorite fundamentalist institution of higher learning Brewton-Parker College all employ YOGIS!

Virginia Intermont College, Wayland Baptist University, Shorter College, and Oklahoma Baptist University all have offered courses in yoga. Baylor too, I might add.

At these Baptist schools, I wonder how many students have been led to demonic activity as a result of excessive stretching? The ridiculous demands of fundamentalists like Hinkle are just downright funny sometimes. First Harry Potter and now yoga....what's next?

Just because something is not decidedly Christian doesn't mean it's anti-Christian.

Hinkle can't seem to grasp that point. We don't live in a black and white world....