So Somerset

What do you think of the church's stance? Should yoga be allowed to be taught on church premises or is it 'non-Christian'?

Louis
Just another example of an activity that is freeing and makes one feel less fearful - something that is cost-prohibitive to the church...

Emma
To Jonathan James.Louise has no harsh pride. She is a good friend of mine and all her classes involve is dancing and music. I have friends who are Christian and they are the most stuck up, un-accepting people I have ever met. Forever telling me that I and other non-religious people like me are dirty and will go to hell. But it's okay, and they don't mean it because it's not them saying it, it's God. Hmmmm.Perhaps the church should learn that acceptance is the key and learn to practice what it preaches rather than shutting out the bits it doesn't like.In my view, religion and strong belief causes wars and it's better to stay away and love people for who they are not by what religion they choose.

Rick Taylor
I agree with the churches. Most people don't realize that every action or attitude in the repertoire of Yoga is essentially an expression of worship of an Indian deity. This might not bother anyone who has no religious belief, but at a time when people accuse the church of being weak and ineffective, it's good to see Christians standing firm on their beliefs.

Narayan
The two churches that turned down these requests must be extremely insecure indeed.

Maria Morley
I am not too sure whether it is right or wrong to do Yoga or in fact teach yoga in a Christian Church Hall. However I do feel that maybe there should be more people teaching Christian Meditation of which there is a world organization. A new method of connecting to GOD instead of the old fashioned prayers.

Rebekah Barton
Narrow minded xenophobic bigotry and totally non- Christian.In 20 years I have never attended a yoga class that even mentions religion. Thank whoever!!Bet Revtimmy wears black socks and sandals too!!

Victor Dewsbery
I think the churches should be free to decide how their own buildings are used.And I, too, feel that Yoga is a non-Christian system, and although the short-term goal is only to offer an activity to kids, in the long term this could lead to conflicts and a weakening of the Christian message. I certainly advocate freedom in society, and I would not ban Yoga or any other faith-related practice. But I would not want it to take place in my own living room or in any church that I am a member of.

Annette Brown
I have practiced yoga for over thirty years and also teach.In my classes I have several committed Christians who believe,as I do,that the deep inner peace created by regular practice enriches the spiritual journey. Learning techniques to relax the body, calm the breathing and quieten the chatter in the mind all help create an inner sanctuary where spiritual growth is nourished.Yoga is all about true spiritual growth and nothing at all to do with any organised religion.The tools which yoga practice provides help us to negotiate life with awareness, compassion and tolerance.I am always deeply saddened when I come across the Christian church taking a stance as in Taunton. I always want those involved to take a step back and ask themselves, 'If our religious views are causing confrontation and division in a relatively affluent and peaceful community then what hope is there for world peace.'

YH - Somerset
I too have come up against this attitude. In the village where I live, the church would not even allow the village hall to run yoga classes - makes you wonder how fragile they feel their faith must be to be so threatened by something like yoga - hardly a militant movement !

Jonathan James
The lady in question has found an alternative venue for her Yoga class so why the big fuss? ...because she's 'upset' that the church(s) should take a stance on their belief's - She should swallow her pride and stop whinging. The church has every right to say 'no' - Yoga has it's roots in Eastern Mysticism & is wholly inappropriate for the church to support - despite what the PC liberals may say.

Bill Hilliard
Yoga is an occult practise, in that anything spiritual and not of God is of the occult. From this standpoint I agree whole heartedly with the churches decision to ban the yoga class. Why not have a mother and baby exercise group and forget the yoga.

Dr. J. Gokhale
The church authorities are afraid of anyone connecting with the Divine within oneself, it seems - since obviously it would diminish their power; are they getting back to inquisition now? Are they unable to learn from past burning of those they could not otherwise control, only to admit mistakes and sanctify some, such as Joan of Arc?

Stev Gay
Silly man! No wonder the C of E is fading fast. Thats the trouble with these new religions! Blessed Be

Paul Briggs
Yoga is a secular activity and ought not to take place in a religious establishment. Churches are for the sole use of their supporters and should stay that way. I congratulate the church for saying so and wish it good luck. Of course, it follows that the churches’ supporters ought, solely, to pay for their upkeep without subsidy from the taxpayer. If uneconomical (rather than unecumenical) churches need to be subsidised by taxpayers they should be taken into public ownership and may then be used by secular organisations. I’m pleased that the yoga group has found a home more suited to its needs. As the church asserts in this case, they are not public places. Indeed, they are no different, and ought not to be treated differently, from any other private place, for example: cinemas, supermarkets, garages, railway stations, public houses etc.