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December 19, 2012
Christian Parents Protest Yoga in Public Schools
(UPDATED) Lawyers say litigation would be similar to lawsuits against prayer in school.
Update (Feb. 21): Parents of children in the Encinitas Union School District officially have filed a lawsuit against the district's Ashtanga yoga program.
According to the Associated Press, "In the lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court, attorney Dean Broyles argued that the twice weekly, 30-minute classes are inherently religious, in violation of the separation between church and state."
Yoga teachers in the district maintain that they are not teaching religion, but an overall wellness program that incorporates yoga for students.
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Just as a California school district prepares to launch the first-ever comprehensive yoga program in public schools, officials also are preparing for something a bit less calming: a lawsuit.
A group of Christian parents is threatening to sue Encinitas Union School District for indoctrinating children with Eastern spirituality, fearing that the district's twice-weekly, 30-minute yoga classes could "nudge their children closer to ancient Hindu beliefs." The parents say school-sponsored yoga violates the First Amendment.
According to the Associated Press, New York University law professor Adam Samaha says litigation against the program would not be easily decided. Courts still have not settled on a clear definition of religion, he said.
Dean Broyles, president of the National Center for Law and Policy, told the New York Times that the school district clearly is promoting "Hindu religious beliefs and practices in the public schools through this Ashtanga yoga program."
However, Encinitas assistant superintendent David Miyashiro has said that the instructors have been careful to remove not only spiritual references, but also "anything that can be perceived by onlookers as a concern."
CT has previously covered the topic of yoga, including its relationship to Christianity, whether or not it is dangerous to attain a "higher state of consciousness" through meditation, and whether or not Christians should say 'yes' to yoga.
Comments
This is embarrassing. In just this issue of CT Direct, article A tries to justify forcing secular universities to support exclusive "Christian" clubs, while article B documents a lawsuit by "Christians" to stop an exercise program in public schools because they associate it with Hindu spiritualism. We need a new word to describe these cultural bullies who do not act like followers of Christ; "Christian" sounds too much like "Christ" and should not be associated with these activities.
Posted By: DianneA | December 19, 2012 4:40 PM
DianneA, I am trying NOT to be snarky as I don't think that would be Christ-like but I will be very honest that Christians like you really raise my ire. Stop being so naive. Satan is after our kids. Do you debate this? Doesn't the Bible warn us Satan is a lion seeking to devour us? He hates children...his love of child sacrifice through the ages (and abortion today) proves that. He wants to destroy kids before they ever have a chance to serve the Lord. He does this through seemingly harmless things. He loves parents like you who are too busy being "liked" by the world to take a stand for GOD'S standards. Yoga is rooted in Hindu mysticism. You can google online and even talk to yoga instructors like I have. They admit that it is hindu spiritualism. So please stop being politically correct DianneA and think about how God views this, views children and what He would have us take a stand for even if it is unpopular. Okay, that is all. God bless.
Posted By: Sarah Martin | January 7, 2013 12:01 PM
Sarah,
Hate to break it to you, but if your kids fall away from Christianity because of yoga in their school, then your kids must have issues already. Kids (and the adults they eventually become) aren't stupid and can will see the hypocrisy of trying to ban anything non-Christian from schools while suing to allow Christian organizations.
Not to mention we're better witnesses for Christ when we can rationally articulate our issues instead of falling into a panicked animal-like fear at anything not like us.
-a Christian who has worked for a Christian religious liberty organization and believes in religious liberty FOR ALL.
Posted By: Rachel | January 9, 2013 8:15 AM
Sarah- please remember we are called to speak in love and you are coming across a little harsh, although it maybe unintentional. Romans 12:2 says do not conform to the pattern ofthis world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.THEN you will be able to approve his will. I believe children are not equipped to do that and need parents to fight for them.There is only one way to the Father and it is through Jesus Christ so religious freedom for all is only helping people away from the Truth, the Light, the Way. God Bless.
Posted By: Kelly | February 22, 2013 9:27 AM
Ithink it is an issue of the heart. I don't think it is sinful to eat food sacrified to idols or do yoga. unless you are doing these things to worship another God then they're permissible. Satan's "after our kids" but those who think yoga is the "gates to hell" then I'll firmly disagree. if your heart is in the right place I see nothing wrong with yoga, and don't know why anyone would
Posted By: Easton | February 22, 2013 9:52 AM
and it trains our body to become flexible. I used to be a christian fundamentalist but not anymore. I don't want to know any of you are going to pray or brag that you have already prayed for me because it is something that is supposed to be done in secret. Even praying in church is wrong. You are supposed to be alone in your room with no one around. Mathew chapter 6: verses 5-6. Christianity has become an embarrassment and I am glad I quit practicing it. All you guys want is our kids to keep on bullying. Why do they bully? Boredom and/or stress at home. Maybe they are being abused too. What about the victim? How can they relieve their stress? That's' right take everything away from our kids. Let them not have any stress relievers so you can continue to pray for them. You outta be ashamed of your god.
Posted By: Kelly | March 1, 2013 11:42 PM
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