Church bans yoga July 29, 2010
Posted by James Shaheen in : Buddhism, Random Notes, Tricycle Community , trackbackReading the tabloids is a bad habit I’ve developed this summer. I’ve weaned myself off most of them, though, but I can’t quite quit the British tabloid the Sun (”Got a story? We pay £££”). Today’s edition reports that a Methodist church near Manchester has banished an over-50s yoga group, leaving elderly yogis throwing up their hands. The church’s new minister fears the yogis could be preaching “rival religions”—more specifically, Hinduism and Buddhism. Iris Turner, a 64-year-old yogini, isn’t happy with the church’s new minister, Rev. Amanda Roper: “Her views are extreme,” she tells the Sun. “We are hurt, disappointed and offended.” Mrs. Turner invited Rev. Roper to take part in the classes “to allay her fears.”
A few more of today’s Sun headlines:
“Muslims Pray in the Wrong Direction“:
Indonesians have been facing Africa, not Mecca, when praying: The Sun reports that “Indonesia’s highest Islamic body has admitted making a mistake when issuing advice on which direction followers should pray in.”
“Nuns on the Run from Retirement“:
Two French nuns have taken flight because their mother superior wants to put them in a retirement home.
I think it’s the Sun’s spiritual coverage that keeps me coming back.
Image: Taken from the New Concorde Area Arts & Recreation District’s site. The Ohio organization offers yoga classes at a Methodist Church.
Comments»
The writer refers to an over-50s yoga group as being comprised of “the elderly”. Most people in this society do not consider a 50-year-old to be “elderly”.
@leah :
but they are Over-50’s plural which means they could be 60 and 70 and 80 - all over 50.
I thought “over 50s” meant you were no longer in your 50s. I also get the impression that Mrs. Turner, at 64, is one of the younger people in the group, but true, 64 isn’t all that elderly, so I concede your point. In my case, at 51, I’m feeling elderly, but that’s just me.
I was of the mind that Methodists were a bit more open and liberal than this. Our local Methodist Pastor just sent their daughter to India for a year to have her learn about the culture and spirituality. They do yoga and meditate daily. I think this minister runs on fear.
With the addition of the Muslims praying in the wrong direction and the nuns on the run in France I am laughing out loud. The Sun’s spiritual coverage would keep me coming back for more as well! I’m still laughing.
Karin - not only fear but closed minded ignorance.
@ Karin - Note that the image of the yogini in the “whaddya gonna do?” posture is taken from a community center that holds yoga classes in a Methodist church.
@ kristin - I try to get off the Sun but I’m enjoying it too much in my spare time.
Religion is an excuse for ignorant behaviour?
Personally I think So, niether do I think God is going to strike me dead for this belief. Buddhism is a spiritual path for the enquiring mind. not the blind acceptance of the God botherers.