[nukkad] English vicar bans yoga classes in church hall

[Net Geek <>]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists. 
-Japanese proverb
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Nukkies
            Heights of narrow mindedness, that's what it is in my opinion. Indeed a
move which put sCHristianity in a bad light. I wonder whether their next move will
be to ban Bharatanatyam recitals from all schools and halls controlled by the
church. 

=====
English vicar bans yoga classes in church hall


An English vicar's decision to ban yoga classes from his church hall has underlined
the fragility of Britain's continuing experiment with a multi-cultural society. 

The vicar in question is Reverend Derek Smith, who is in charge of St Michael's
Church in the parish of Melksham in Wiltshire. 

Rev Smith says his decision to stop the classes is because of yoga's association
with Hinduism. 

His wife Sue told rediff.com that the decision was taken after extensive
consultations with the local parish church council. 

Yoga is one of the fastest growing extra-curricular activities in the United Kingdom
with a following among all sections of society. A decade ago, it was actively
promoted by one of India's most popular diplomats in Britain, High Commissioner Apa
Pant, who delighted his friends by balancing on his head. 

In London a spokesman for Britain's Anglican Church backed the right of clergymen to
take a stand against any practices which "do not square with Christian teachings". 

He said other vicars share the concerns about the spiritual basis of some versions
of the exercise regime, since many church halls across the UK accommodate yoga
classes. 

The spokesman added: "Yoga is used as a kind of generic term for exercise and
stretching, but there are many different types of yoga. Some have a more spiritual
basis as handed down from Eastern religions. 

"It's reasonably understandable that someone can say so if they don't want something
with a spiritual basis taught in their church hall." 

The Church of England was keen to promote good relations with other religions, he
said, but that did not involve being "wish-washy or mealy-mouthed" about
distinctions in faith. 

Although there are no plans to call for a blanket ban on yoga classes in church
halls nationwide, yoga enthusiasts are angered by the move, which appears to be a
growing trend. 

Last November another vicar in a different part of the country in Henham, Essex,
took the same step. 

The British Wheel of Yoga, the governing body recognised by Sport England, condemned
Rev Smith's action as "ignorant". 

Spokeswoman Jane Hill said: "It's not a religion and it doesn't push any version of
one. I don't think it will affect his flock. He should have a bit more of an open
mind." 

Hindu spiritual leaders have also criticised Smith for his narrow-minded approach,
while agreeing that every place of worship needs guidelines about what may be
permitted on its premises. 

"I don't think there would be a problem if we opened our temple premises to our
Christian brothers," said Bimal Krishan Das, secretary of the National Council of
Hindu Temples. 

"We Hindus are broadminded and it is surprising for us to hear a Christian vicar say
he will ban yoga classes. 

"Most people practise yoga for health benefits, but even if they were aware of the
links with Hinduism, what is the harm? There are many paths to God." 

Meanwhile, Rev Smith has called upon Christians who practise yoga to examine their
consciences. 

The 50-year-old vicar said he had no regrets about his church hall's ban on the
weekly yoga classes, which were incompatible with Christianity. 

On the other hand, he admitted that the decision to axe the sessions, which had been
running since March, had upset at least one woman parishioner. 

Rev Smith said that even if followers in the West used it just for fitness,
spiritual leaders in the East insisted it was inseparable from Hindu devotional
practice. 

Speaking from his rectory in Melksham, he said: "I would ask people who do yoga to
think about whether they believe they were in breach of their faith or not. 

"If they genuinely believe what they are doing is acceptable -- and I know people
that do -- of course, I would ask them to follow their consciences." 

He added that he would never consider trying the exercise regime because it would be
wrong. 

http://www.rediff.com/us/2002/aug/29uk.htm

=====
Bye,



Netgeek aka Cherian
-------

________________________________________________________________________
Want to sell your car? advertise on Yahoo Autos Classifieds. It's Free!!
       visit http://in.autos.yahoo.com


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, use the form at: http://www.mumbai-central.com/nukkad/#options
This list is archived at: http://www.mumbai-central.com/nukkad/archive.html