while some truth changes over time, one does not.

Like Bush’s War on Terrorism, which seems to be missing the mark on targeting the right people, my posts on yoga, while intended to coincide with the Fatwa Council’s decision to look at yoga and addressing its “issues” and meant to promote discussion and debate, was caught in crossfires of broad-minded masses trying to address my shallow understanding of this world and how it world works. We all have an entitlement to opinion afterall. As long as it does not impedes national security (lest you be cellmates with Raja Petra) but that’s another matter altogether.

So while reflecting on comments here and there, yes, a few books does not make me smarter, or more in tune with Jesus. In discussions with many people, there is a general denial of us being part of a me-scentric society. Look, it’s not wrong to be concerned about yourself, don’t get me wrong here. And doing it because everyone else is doing it isn’t wrong either.

The fact of the matter is that while we’re going for all this upside potential in life, what are we giving up? There is an opportunity cost in every decision i.e the road not taken, the book not read, the job not done, the time not spent, the money not earned, the soul not saved. In being subservient to culture, are we being in the danger of relegating Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, to just another faith, just another religion, just like Scientology, or Jehovah’s Witnessses, or worse, just another way of life, another path to Heaven?

That’s what Creed (yes, that rock band) implied if you believe what Good Fight tells you here. Of course, in the eyes of the non-believer, Christianity is just another religion. Every follower of any religion thinks theirs to reign over the rest. Or at least serves their philosophies, thoughts and purpose better.

But in a way i’ve not seen before among Christian ourselves, religious tolerance have been trumpeted (and for good measure, since peace is all we love) to include ourselves, a salvation based faith privilieged with the cleansing blood of Jesus, with among other faiths. While in recent memory, some rogue Christians have served to undermine the faith from within, it shouldn’t change the fact that among ourselves, we should view our own God, Creator of all things, reign supreme. We have Buddhists prioritising Buddha, and i’m not belittling other religions here, but are we, as Christians, prioritising Jesus?

Of course with everyone question asked, comes the scrutiny of the intentions of it?

Am i accusing anyone?

No.

What am i implying here?

I’m saying that as Christians, we should prioritise God first, and seek Him first.

Am i saying Christianity is above all other religions?

No! Jesus came and died for our sins, that we may be forgiven. And He will come again. And He will save all those who truly believe in Him, and repent from sins. In no way am i saying that this is better than yours. Christ died for the world, that is the theme and message he bore and the weight of all our sins. And i’m saying that as Christians, and those who professed believing in Him, should take heart and revisit their foundations of faith as often as possible. And pray. Pray like there’s no tomorrow.

I cannot dictate what others should believe in, but at least, brothers and sisters in Christ, should remind me to keep my eyes on Jesus, because some days, i may be weary and i’m only human.

the yoga emails #4

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I am glad you’re getting settled in Australia; I hope you do find a likeminded fellowship soon. Let me know how you like the AOG.

We definitely agree on where this world is headed…you wrote, “And then it occured to me that the great Christian divide will be one of Christians who compromise their faith and beliefs, and those who don’t.” I think that is VERY true. I couldn’t agree with you more, and I praise God for your discernment in Him.

Later, you wrote, “i just hope i would be steadfast and stand strong.” Brother, I think that is such an important thing for us all to cling to as the last days approach. So many places in the Word admonish and warn us to stand fast, endure to the end, persevere, finish the race. We’ve got to remain passionate for Jesus or we run the risk of becoming lukewarm.

Let’s listen to Jesus first and foremost!

In His Love,
Kristen

the yoga emails #3

Hello Kristen,

i’m probably thinking of posting that email in my blog too, perhaps after i post on some detriments of yoga in contrast against Christian living and beliefs. I thank God too for allowing me some sense of discernment but i probably need to pray more and find a deeper motivation to try to talk to fellow Christians here and there.

I think it’s an unbelievable task to try to reach out to people, the difficulties in overcoming the stereotypes already present in their minds, the unwillingness to listen gets to me quite quickly. i still don’t know if blogging is God’s idea of the way i could try to do that.

i watched a talk show the other day here called Insight, which debated the use of embryionic stem cells for research. there were many guest debators, professors from UNSW, Sydney Uni, Melbourne Uni, accident victims, a priest, a catholic doctor and some other people. Some of their comments were really appaling, especially when they were debating on where does life begins, and the right of a baby and the parent.

one such comment was that this lady, got pregnant at age 21, didn’t have any ‘emotional attachments’ to the baby, and decided in such a case, it was better off to donate ‘it’ to research. but what was hard to accept was that the Christian viewpoint is seen as a hindrance to scientific advancement, and that we are following antiquated rules which hindered natural advancement in society.

And then it occured to me that the great Christian divide will be one of Christians who compromise their faith and beliefs, and those who don’t. This conflict i believe will turn the church and bite us from inside out. There are those who are in favour of advancement, even if there are some contradictions (as i have listened to a Jewish doctor in the show describe his interpretation of Judaism and its scriptures) and those who do not, and tries to make a stand against such advancements.

And it’s hard to compromise on matters with such huge implications. I was left pondering, how we are all being attacked by Satan on so many fronts and we only have our Bibles to defend ourselves. And the battle has even proceeded to making claims and interpretations of our Bibles and tell us what to believe and what should not be adapted into today’s society. Those who hold firm to their beliefs will be called stubborn, and those who bow down to the demands of society would be glorified beyond reasoning, one that has great powers of discernment and understanding. They would be the leaders of the downfall of Christianity and the architect of the bridge which condones the defilement of scriptures by faithless people who think they know better.

All this occured to me while looking at that talk show. It bothers me still, that’s probably why i’m sharing it with you. I’m not expecting you to agree, but perhaps to some degree i am prophesising. I hope it doesnt happens, but my gut feelings are that it probably will, and must come to pass.

i just hope i would be steadfast and stand strong. it’s much easier to say things like this and fall like everyone else instead of holding true to what one may believe in. But i believe that God would lift me, and perhaps with faith, hope, and love one would be able to overcome all trials and tribulations. i’ll stop here for now. God bless you Kristen, i love reading ur blog.

I am long winded. Take care and have a nice day.

the yoga emails #2

Thank you for that incredible e-mail. I agree with you WHOLEHEARTEDLY and am thankful that you discern these things. God bless you!

You wrote one of the most profound things I have read recently: “But it seems to me it is a task of enormous proportions to even convince our own fellow Christians that New Age theology and philosophy is poison. Our Bible is being defiled, our rights to voice as Christians are being limited, the Bible is being disregarded with many of people’s own interpretations and yet our community is so damnably quiet.”

I hope you do choose to blog on this and related topics. I pray that you are speedily settled in Sydney and are able to find godly fellowship.

Kristen

the yoga emails #1

Hello there Kristen,

I’m sorry for taking a long time to reply, i’ve just settled in in
Sydney. i’m in my final year at uni and being an international
student, there were a few things that required me to do and also look
for accomodations and furnitures etc.

In Malaysia, no matter how much we play down we ought not to follow in
the cultural and societal movements of the West, we still fall prey to
the degree by which Western societies advance. The ‘endorsements’ of
many celebrities are taken as literal advice and people follow blindly
in achieving it. The collectively thinking is that “if many Westerners
are trained in these exercises, why not us?” “It probably wont harm us
anyway.” “It’s just exercise and for a peace of mind.”

I believe Yoga, like many other New Age philosophy undermines people’s
belief as it transcends across religions, stretching and uniting many
into one. I ache in disbelief while looking how many ‘religions’ could
be united under yoga, since its meditation is supposedly able to
facilitate “meditating to your own God”. i’ve seen Buddhists, Hindus,
Christians and people of other believes unite in gym classrooms for
yoga and pilates classes.

The worst feeling is the way how Christians so easily let go of their
faiths and beliefs and flock to exercise or achieve peace of mind
without first looking it up. I feel Christians themselves do not
know/feel targeted at all, when they are all the time, and they walk
around believing they are shielded by Jesus when their minds are under
constant threat. I am sceptical about the will of human hearts, since
we are born sinners, and unless we keep our minds on Jesus, the devil
lurking will seize the day and manifest in us.

But it seems to me it is a task of enormous proportions to even
convince our own fellow Christians that New Age theology and
philosophy is poison. Our Bible is being defiled, our rights to voice
as Christians are being limited, the Bible is being disregarded with
many of people’s own interpretations and yet our community is so
damnably quiet.

It’s not just yoga which is poison, but the whole New Age movement,
something i’ve come to notice only a few years back. Which is why i
extensively try to dig up many of their movements and beliefs. I have
heard of Alieter Crowley i believe in a book called Dark Secrets of
the New Age by Texe Marrs. That was my first introduction to New Age
theology. It all masquerades as light in a dark world, providing
comfort to those who seek it. But what i think, paralel and partially
influenced by Texe Marrs and a few other authors on such topics
(Embraced by the Darkness, Brad Scott and some others which i do not
have with me here) that the whole movement is a masterstroke of Satan.
All his cunning and devious plotting has finally led to today, and
what he’s going to bring is hordes of insurmountable philosophies
drowning the world to confusion of what is right and wrong, that an
open mind is key to understanding this world and the promises of
riches on earth.

While many disasters have threatened to turn this world upside down,
this plan is beyond what is conceivable by mere human. Even Hitler was
stopped, perhaps strongly showing the path to destruction is not a
violent one. Instead, it unite a whole world together. But only from
unity there can be separations, because fragments cannot be much more
separated than they already are. Immorality and sin is spread not of
violence or hate anymore, but from love, peace and joy.

Back to yoga. Logically speaking, yoga’s roots are not ‘mystical’ like
some who don’t know anything about it put it. It must have sprouted
out from somewhere and feel ashamed of those who don’t try hard enough
to know. Since its roots are from Hinduism, there’s hardly any logic
that one could separate the meditation aspect to suit all religions
and all gods. And the Lord hath said, thou shall have no other gods
before Me.

Although it is merely a comprehension if my mind, i’m beginning to
somewhat feel, see and realise how things in the last days are shaping
up. I can feel things like yoga are only a start as to what might
sweep over this world carrying all the devious plans and lies of Satan
that the Bible predicted in the last days, ‘where even the strong and
steadfast might fall’.

This is already an ultra lengthy email. i guess i should stop here.
i’m really glad that you are aware of the potential detriments of yoga
and new age philosophies. unfortunately, not many do based on the
replies i get from the email i sent out to a number of fellow
Christian bloggers.

Take care, and God bless.

Sincerely

Yoga opinions #2

Kristen Frith
to me

show details 2/23/05

Hi Weng (Is that your first name?),

Wow, what a great e-mail. I am so glad to see that you are wondering about this topic–and after I tell you what I think, I would love to know your own thoughts. How popular is yoga in Malaysia? I would think it would be very big.

I have not blogged about this, though I’d be open to doing so. My bottom line is this: I know about yoga’s spiritual roots, and I don’t think it’s something a Christian should participate in. I’ll answer your questions in order.

1. How aware are you about the origins of yoga, the implications of the exercises performed?

I know about yoga’s origins in India, and that it is definitely considered a spiritual discipline, and has been for centuries. The ‘kundalini’ force is often mentioned in connection with certain types of yoga–and ‘kundalini’ is likened to a serpent. Aliester Crowley, a satanist who mapped out the New Age movement way back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, was a huge proponent of yoga in all forms. His writings gained massive popularity during the 1960s counterculture revolution in the States. (Crowley also advocated psychedelic drug use, promiscuity, perversion, syncretism, etc.) More info on him can be found on www.goodfight.org, on the “They Sold Their Souls for Rock N Roll” tapes, or my favorites, “Rock N Roll Sorcerers of the New Age Revolution”. They’re free if you can’t pay…just tell Steve (info@goodfight.org) that Kristen told you about them.

2. What do you personally feel about yoga?

If I hadn’t seen Joe Schimmel’s research, I don’t know what I’d think. I remember as a young Christian, kind of wondering about it. I think I knew there was supposed to be a spiritual connection.

I got a Pilates DVD that, I discovered, has some basic yoga poses on it (like ‘warrior’). I never really answered the questions that came up in my mind at that point: is it possible to divorce the spiritual and physical aspects of yoga? Does one have to intend to call up demons to have that effect? Can it just be exercise?

I don’t know. I don’t want to experiment, I’ll tell you that!

3. Does the mysticisms of yoga and the fusion of Eastern philosophies play a part in convincing the masses of its effectiveness?

Honestly, I can’t help but see all of that–the whole influx of Eastern mysticism that has been flooding America this and last century–as part and parcel of the New Age deceptions Satan is introducing in these last days.
4. Do you find yoga appealing? Would you give it a try?

I think I answered that one…no. In my flesh, yes, I find it appealing because it seems relaxing and non-competitive. But knowing what I know, I won’t do it.

5. Does yoga contradict doctrine? (Jesus certainly never spoke of contorting limbs for any purposes)

I believe it does. The Bible warns us to keep watch and stand fast; our enemy is prowling about, seeking whom he may devour. I believe yoga and all other Eastern mysticism is clearly a device and ploy of the enemy to keep people deceived and to keep them from turning to Jesus. I don’t see yoga as being compatible with a Christian walk, though I am not saying that Christians in America who go to a yoga class are unsaved. If I were a friend of a Christian like that, though, I’d warn them against it.

God bless you! Write whenever you feel led to!

Kristen

Yoga opinions #1

Joe
to me

show details 2/4/05

Hi there,

Thanks for a very interesting and good question! I,
personally, know almost nothing about yoga directly.
I have heard in Christian circles that it is dangerous
because it mixes in “Eastern religions” (whatever that
means!). I think the people who say that probably
don’t know much about yoga either – they just pass on
what they hear.

Anyway, I’ll put yoga on the list of things to post
about, and when I have time, I will do some proper
research into it and give a balanced post (I hope)!

Thanks for your e-mail, and have a good day!

Joe

michael
to me

show details 2/4/05

Hi – I’d have to plead ignorance, although I am suspicious of Yoga, just
like I am of horoscopes and other things that appear to replace God as a source for supernatural healing and direction.

reindl
to me

show details 2/5/05

Hello,

I’ve tried as best I can to answer your questions, and I just included my responses within your framework. The truth is, I’ve never really thought about yoga, so I don’t have much of an opinion about it. Take care brother.

Tom

Martin
to me

show details 2/5/05

Hi,

I’m sorry, but I don’t really have too many thoughts on yoga. I feel
that with any of these Eastern disciplines, Christians need to take care
not to get too deeply into the spiritual side. But I imagine that it is
possible to do yoga exercises without the spiritual component.

Martin Roth

Dory
to me

show details 2/4/05

I am sorry, but I know nothing about yoga. I do understand that some
Christians object to it because of its ties to mystic religion. However
others enjoy the exercises and practice them without the meditation. I do
not have any experience with yoga, and so I have not formed an opinion of my
own. I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.

God bless you,
Dory

Brad
to me

show details 2/4/05
I certainly think there is nothing wrong with relaxation and paying attention to your body. BUT yoga mixes mystical and speculative philosophies which directly contradict the Christian worldview. For example, how do we attain “peace of mind”. The biblical idea of peace or shalom is found in knowing God and imitating God’s moral attributes namely love. It is often that peace would be taught through yoge by clearing the mind of desire or other Buddhist ideas. I think to the extent that Buddhism is mixed with yoga or other speculative ideas about the path to enlightenmment or peace to that extent I would stay clear of yoga. So the problem is not “being aware of one’s body” but Buddhism.
brad

Yoga: your verdict?

2 reasons for this post: 1) it’s dug out from my gmail from a few years ago where i had initial concerns about yoga’s popularity, and at the time i promised to make known what were most people’s responses.

2) now if you don’t mind you could always have a look at the questions, (and skip the blah from here on) and give your comments or mail me.. (i can tell from my blog stats how many sees this post, vs how many comments, so that in itself is good data for me, thanks, since it probably means ppl have no idea)

Below is a long winded email i sent out to at least 15 blogs from across the world, to mostly Christian bloggers in America where movements such as yoga are not just a recent phenomenon, unlike the way yoga centres are mushrooming around in Malaysia with all style and no substance. When i say no substance, it’s mainly because people do not usually have a clue what yoga is really about. Most have associated it with exercise. Anyway, the questionaires were sent and responded to in 2005, but the recent Fatwa Council which banned Muslims from practicing yoga reminded me of this abandoned mission which was due to the lack of worthwhile responses locally.

There was no fuss about exercise afterall. People asked, “Why did you even bother?”

Had a few fruitful emails with several respondents, which will be followed on a separate post as to not tax your eyes and patience.

Hi Kristen, i’m Weng Kit from Invisible Footprints
(invisiblefootprints.blogspot.com) from Malaysia and i’d like to know
about what fellow Christians think about yoga. Yoga is quickly gaining
fame and publicity after being endorsed by many celebrities
(beatles, john mclaughlin, geri halliwell) and people who have tried
it says it works as a slimming exercise but its roots are very
mysterious. I am deeply sorry if you have posted an article on this in
your blog which i did not notice, then perhaps you could kindly direct
me to the link of the article in your site.

1. How aware are you about the origins of yoga, the implications of
the exercises performed?

2. What do you personally feel about yoga? (this is where you use your head and think, not question, unlike question one, where deals with what you know, here you tell what you feel)

3. Does the mysticisms of yoga and the fusion of Eastern philosophies
play a part in convincing the masses of its effectiveness? (i.e traditional medicine over western doctoring)

4. Do you find yoga appealing? Would you give it a try?

5. Does yoga contradict doctrine? (Jesus certainly never spoke of
contorting limbs for any purposes)

You don’t have to answer according to the above structure, it’s just
some rough questions i hope that may serve as a guide to getting you
to speak of what you know about this subject. Btw, this is not any
forwarded email, it’s just a personal research i’m conducting which i
would plan to publish in my blog later on. I find this topic deeply
intriguing and disturbing at the same time; regarding this as a start
of a new age of beliefs that could surpass religious doctrines and
beliefs.

Perhaps if you have more to share about this or anything else, pls do
email me. Thank you.

Sincerely

DPM: Change needed to liberate minds of students

KUALA LUMPUR: There should be an intellectual renaissance to open up and liberate the minds of students, and this should start in the universities, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Our education system must chan­ge. Our children are just not curious enough. They must be curious about the world. They must ask questions,” the Deputy Prime Minis­­ter said.

In Ipoh last night, Najib, who is the Umno deputy president, urged mem­bers to return to the foundation of their struggle and be sincere if they wanted the party to be strong again.

Opening the second Umno Ve­­terans national annual general meeting, he said members should follow the example of Umno veterans who placed the party’s interest above everything else.

After cutting thru all the long-winded stuff politicians normally say, to points to be noted from today’s headlines. Is Malaysia ready for a curious public? And where are the priorities of politicians; are they to the party or to the public? While senior politicians have asked for caution in relating well-publicized American elections, which culminated in having the first African-American voted as President, to our very own, are our politicians ready for a liberated public where one is urged by his own consciousness to speak freely? With a government still so unused to being criticised and being painted black, the public eagerness to sought for open questioning will undoubtedly change the status quo.

And i would welcome change. I’m unfazed by the state of our education here, I don’t know what the literacy rate is like, but i’m not expecting it to be great. Globalisation calls for adaptivity. How are we going to be global and compete when we speak a minority language?

On Chua Soi Lek

Rarely do i feel disturbed by comments made by people on various issues whether it’s on news sites, on random blogs i visit or anywhere anyone feels free to put a foot down and stamp a comment regarding anything.

Full comment here reproduce without any permission:

Takeda Shingen: I think that judging Soi Lek’s ability to perform his job with the issue of the morality of him having an extra-marital affair is like comparing apples to oranges.

Firstly, if Soi Lek was a Muslim, he could have taken his mistress on as a second wife and this affair would be a moot point.

It is only because non-Muslims are lumped into the ‘Christian’ view of one life partner that we find him immoral. Look at the Mosuo women in China who practice polygamy with multiple husbands.

Is this wrong? If a man/woman has all the means to looks after multiple partners fairly, why can’t his/her actions be deemed ‘moral’?

The question that should be asked here is, ‘will this extra-marital affair effects his ability to do his job?’

John F Kennedy was famously rumoured to have had an affair with Marilyn Monroe. The FBI produced evidence of Dr Martin Luther King having a mistress.

John Edwards was recently thrown into scandal over the ‘love child ‘from his affair.

But did these instances stop them from achieving the righteous goals they strived to obtain?
John McCain himself had an affair which led to him divorcing his first wife. Yet people still believe in his leadership abilities.

In Korea, there are laws that passed out prison time for adultery. These laws have been objected to because it infringes on our freedom.

The reason Chua Soi Lek was voted back was because, until the infamous video was leaked people, people still believed he did his job well and that he is also a victim of a political assassination.

What you do in private, so long as you do not violate anyone’s freedom, is your own business. And as long as your private life is separate from your work, it should not be used as a tool to judge you at your job.

Before i make any critical assessment of the person i do not even know, i’ll agree with him that in issues of governing, one does not necessarily need to know if someone has ever cheated. He was voted back probably because people think he will serve their interest well and better than other candidates. He was the best there is, whatever that means.

However, if an act can be morally deemed wrong, i.e with the test being if you were the victim, would you just shout “shit happens?” or do you go into a rage about what constitute publicly accepted moralism, then that act is not justifiable in the society we live in. Concerning Kennedy, sure he made a fine President, presided over a time where liberalisation was all the buzz, free love and free sex and the Beatles were celebrated. Women were being liberated. But if Kennedy shags your wife, do you beat him to a pulp or do you give your utmost blessings for him to run beloved America? Like democracy, utilitarian rules help shape public opinion on ethics and morality.

All your heroes happen to live swell lives. You don’t get married to tell your wife you love her and shag someone else. Not even if you have the flipping cash for child support, insurance and tertiary education for a football team. You can divorce her, and marry your mistress, but that’s a little fickle and selfish, and defeated the point of your first marriage. It’s legit and natural to be bashful about so-called leaders, since they set the tone on a broad level. You want a role model, someone perfect, but they only exist in the ideal world. In our world, we select the “best candidate for the job.” In this case i agree with you. Just that i find even the mere thought of considering affairs as a normal course in life a little disturbing.

Polygamy and adultery, depending on which way you see it, has always been a spiteful debate. Some societies practice it, some wholly against. Blaming Christian views is an oversimplification of facts. The sanctity of marriage is signified by love and vows made to one’s partner, and one of common sense. When you fail to keep that vow, how would i know if you can keep any vows or promises. What assurances does one have that he will live up to keeping harder promises to people he does not even know, but claims to care so much about? Whether or not an affair affects the ability of one person is a moot point to begin with. Depending on how you measure performance, there’s not a single way to quantify if the affair has a bearing on him. But it certainly has a bearing on us. Because we might not trust him anymore. That matters. Not your liberal stance and your questionable claims about what constitutes freedom.