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crogin Profile
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posticon If you're a Christian...


In other words, my way or the highway!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/megachurch-pastor-tells-church-to-stop-going-to-yoga-because-of-its-demonic-roots/ar-BBPCPcB?OCID=ansmsnnews11

emphasis added

quote:

Megachurch pastor tells church to stop going to yoga, because of its 'demonic roots'


Alissa Zhu 11 hrs ago

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A pastor of an Assemblies of God megachurch recently took aim at yoga, saying it has "demonic roots" and warning Christians to avoid the popular activity.

Pastor John Lindell told the attendees of James River Church in Ozark, Missouri — which has a congregation of about 10,500, according to a 2016 report — that the positions in yoga were "created with demonic intent to open you up to demonic power because Hinduism is demonic."

Members of nearby Springfield's yoga community are now speaking out.

A Christian yogi says his practice has brought him closer to God and wants others to know that it's possible to do sun salutations while following Christ One owner of a yoga studio said she's worried that small local businesses are being hurt. An instructor, feeling on edge after a shooting at a Florida yoga studio Nov. 2, can't shake a fear that someone might take the church's anti-yoga message too far.

They are taking a stand against [big[the sermon's message, which they say is "ignorant" and divisive, in a time when unity is needed.

"Yoga transcends religion," said Reggie Harris, who also said five years of yoga has transformed his life. "Yoga brings people together in a heart of unity and love. You're teaching people to hate something that may help them physically, emotionally, spiritually."

Lindell delivered a paranormal-themed sermon the Sunday before Halloween. Among other things, he warned congregants about the spiritual dangers of fortune-telling, Wicca, a form of paganism, and finally, yoga.

People might be shocked that the church was comparing yoga to the paranormal, Lindell acknowledged.

"That, to me, is an indication of how far our society has drifted into a post-Christian culture Earlier, it would have been a given that yoga was inherently a form of eastern mysticism that Christians should absolutely avoid, but that is no longer the case," he said during the sermon.

Yoga is everywhere now, he said, pointing to the local YMCA's class schedule as an example.

First, he addressed yoga poses.

"They were designed, they were created with demonic intent, to open you up to demonic power because Hinduism is demonic," Lindell said.

According to the government of India's Ministry of External Affairs, yoga does not adhere to any particular religion or belief system.

Lindell said the sun salutation, a common sequence of positions in yoga, is meant to worship Surya, the Hindu sun god.

"To say the positions of yoga are no more than exercise are tantamount to saying water baptism is just aqua aerobics," Lindell said.


Then, he talked about meditation.

meditation, he said, people clear their minds. Sometimes they chant a mantra, which can incorporate the names of Hindu gods, Lindell said.

He said it's "spiritually dangerous" for people to empty their minds.

"Yoga is diametrically opposed to Christianity,"
he said. "....Christians should stay away from yoga because of its demonic roots."

Lindell said he was coming from a place of concern for people's spiritual well-being.

Stop doing yoga, he told his congregants, and they don't have to be afraid.

"I can't say the same if you keep doing it," Lindell said.

Yogis respond

Attendance was low at Heather Worthy's yoga class at a Republic, Missouri, gym a week after the sermon.

Worthy said many people at the gym are active members of James River Church, and she speculated that Lindell's sermon had an impact on them.

"It hurt," she said. "It could have been a coincidence, but it's interesting."

She called the sermon "quite ludicrous."

Stephanie Wubbena owns Live Pure Yoga in Springfield, Missouri, and runs Goats and Yoga out of her Rogersville farm made a rebuttal video to the James River Sermon about yoga and posted it to YouTube on Nov. 1. It's received more than 530 views as of Monday.

In an interview, Wubbena said her main concern is that the sermon is "going after small businesses."

"This is our sole source of livelihood," Wubbena said. "One yoga studio lost over 10 members the Monday after the sermon."

Wubbena agreed with Lindell on one aspect: that yoga has "pagan origins," she said.But so do Christmas and Easter traditions, Wubbena said.

"The blatant hypocrisy was just so overwhelming," she said.


Harris, who has been practicing yoga for five years, said yoga has helped with more than just physical ailments. Emotionally, he said he's less angry and less insecure.

For the 36-year-old, who grew up "old school Baptist," yoga has a deep spiritual side as well.

"I know my relationship with the Lord and my relationship with him has gotten deeper through yoga," Harris said.

Harris said he felt "disappointed, hurt and angry" when he listened to Lindell's sermon online.

Amanda Davis said the pastor's message is "hate speech," and it's frightening after the shooting at a Florida yoga studio.

"It's really... scary," said Davis, who is a yoga instructor. "I don't really know if somebody is going to walk into the Y, and shoot us up, or one of the other studios we teach."

Toward the end of his sermon, Lindell said he hopes people consider his words.

"I don't do it to make anybody mad. If I made you mad, that's unfortunate," he said. "But I have a responsibility before God as the shepherd of souls to say I told you the truth."

The congregation applauded.

In response to a request for comment, James River Church provided a written statement:

"As a church our heart is to provide people with Biblical insight and teaching that will strengthen their faith and their daily walk with God.

"We would encourage anyone who wants to know what was said in Pastor John’s sermon “Haunted: Pursuing the Paranormal” to watch the message available at

https://jamesriver.org/sermon/haunted-pursuing-the-paranormal .

"The James River Church App includes additional resources for further study on the topic."

Follow Alissa Zhu on Twitter: @AlissaZhuNL

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Megachurch pastor tells church to stop going to yoga, because of its 'demonic roots'



Last edited by crogin, 11/13/2018, 8:51 pm


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There's always more down!

11/13/2018, 7:33 pm Link to this post PM crogin
 
Philer Profile
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Re: If you're a Christian...


I've heard that some of these yoga people do their yoga without any clothes on. That may not be demonic but it sounds very naughty and at least occasionally disturbing. emoticon
11/13/2018, 9:57 pm Link to this post PM Philer Blog
 
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BTW, I hope your theft of one of my thread's titles doesn't cause confusion. emoticon
11/13/2018, 10:03 pm Link to this post PM Philer Blog
 
crogin Profile
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Re: If you're a Christian...


That's why I put the emoji on it, Philer. emoticon

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11/14/2018, 1:25 am Link to this post PM crogin
 
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Re: If you're a Christian...


I’m sorry. But both Christianity and yoga annoy the H out of me.

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11/15/2018, 5:24 pm Link to this post PM GoHawk Blog
 
crogin Profile
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I have no use for either but it's OK by me if anyone else wants to to indulge in them.

BTW: I don't believe in demons, ghosts, witches, etc. But I know evil exists and that it loves to hide under a false front of sanctity and self-righteousness (see Adolf Hitler, Jim Jones, David Koresh, and oh so many more!)

---
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11/15/2018, 9:01 pm Link to this post PM crogin
 
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Re: If you're a Christian...


"I know evil exists and that it loves to hide under a false front of sanctity and self-righteousness (see Adolf Hitler, Jim Jones, David Koresh, and oh so many more!)


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes i agree...but....i do believe in demons, ghosts, and witches, etc. emoticon
11/15/2018, 10:29 pm Link to this post PM msdulittle Blog
 
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Re: If you're a Christian...


"I know evil exists and that it loves to hide under a false front of sanctity and self-righteousness "

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

Sinclair Lewis
11/16/2018, 5:29 pm Link to this post PM Geezess Blog
 
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Re: If you're a Christian...


quote:

crogin wrote:

I have no use for either but it's OK by me if anyone else wants to to indulge in them.

BTW: I don't believe in demons, ghosts, witches, etc. But I know evil exists and that it loves to hide under a false front of sanctity and self-righteousness (see Adolf Hitler, Jim Jones, David Koresh, and oh so many more!)



Doesn't matter on the yoga naked or
not, my leg can no longer wrap around my neck! I've seen enough of patients bits and pieces and would pass anyway don't know why anyone would want to be that up close and personal but I got a guess. Ghosts, demons, witches, no but after caring for so many dying people and especially in my own family there is more going on than just the physical part of dying, it is like a spirit passing that lingers a couple days
11/18/2018, 7:17 pm Link to this post PM katie5445 Blog
 


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