while some truth changes over time, one does not.
Posted by kittt on November 28, 2008
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.
ialsohensem said
OK now.. let’s concentrate on Fatwa yoga issue.
Their decision to ban Yoga based because Yoga has Hinduism origins is childish and a clear example of people living under a rock or looking at life through a badminton shuttlecock cylinder holder.If you take it further, you are not allowed to use anything not built by Christians, like the computer you use to blog. Most likely, the parts you are using are manufactured by non-Christians who may have subjected your computer parts to rituals to ensure smooth assembly.
If you wanna go the way of looking at origins. It is not far fetched. It is just a little off tangent from what the fatwa people are saying.. and probably to a certain extend, what you are thinking as well, although you deny condemning yoga.
So, to end, you call for brothers and sisters in Christ to stop and think it.
I stop.
I think.
I conclude that although yoga has Hindu origins, practising the physical wellness portion of yoga is not evil. Same with celebrating Christmas. Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, but others celebrate Santa Claus and presents and drinking. So is Christmas evil because somehow people idolises Santa Claus?
kittt said
Then that’s your conclusion, not mine. Like i said, i cannot stop what others believe in. If you had stop, and thought about things, then that is good.
And so far, i’ve not condemned the fatwa council to ban yoga simply because that matter is not my concern; as far as the ban goes, i can still go for yoga classes, although with the profitability affected, i might have lesser classes to go to. we have seen a reaction on the matter by most people affected by the ban i.e the muslims, via the blogs for one outlet. riding on that wave, i expressed my scepticisms on it as well. and some reacted. i did not embark on a crusade to ban it, or to tell people to stay off it.
it’s a great wellness tool from what i’ve heaerd. so great that it’s almost too good to be true. enhanced concentration, toned body, peace of mind, and etc etc. forgive me for being me, but i am sceptical of many things. i mean, if yoga’s so good, why is it only popular now? i mean, it’s been known to exist for a long, long time now. these are questions, and the answers will vary from people to people. which is great, because we’re discussing. in the emails i excahnged with some ppl and posted here, we shared some concern on its effects. If enough people are convinced that it’s exercise so be it. i’m not out there to tell peopel that it isnt exercise. i’m not out here to impose my beliefs on anyone.
if you are right and yoga is worth the hype, then yes we could all use a little of it. i m not complaining. but we could never know for sure. that’s my opinion. your allegory about the computer is mystifying; there’s no doubt you could be right about that possibility of how my machine works. but what better way than to use this tool, turn it around and use it for the glory of God?
and just so we’re clear, i would never condemn any non-Christian just because we do not share the same views. the freedom of choice is one we all have to respect. and this post is in relation to questions that i’m asking people like myself, are we doing enough? are we focused on Him adequately?
lastly, i can understand why people treat my scepticisms of yoga as such. since it produces results. if we assume all people are practical and pragmatic, there’s no denying that it’s all good. tho the foundations of my thinking lies in that we know so little of it.
in those emails i posted, i questioned the merits of yoga, but i cannot substantiate it. what i can see are behaviours and movements and trends and sentiments. whether yoga is good or bad depends on the individual, everyone has a right to participate and debate is a moot point. and to ban it is a violation of our basic freedom of choice. that much is true.
so while my opinion is contrary to yours, we should just keep our eyes focused on Jesus.
ialsohensem said
Then why not turn yoga and use it for the glory of God? How? I do not know. I am not a yoga master. Probably by practising yoga and having enhanced concentration to read the Bible. Or having a toned and healthy body is good since our body is the temple of Christ. And peace of mind, free of our daily worries, to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit or to be able to listen to what He has to say to us.
Why not?
kittt said
It is for the simple fact that i have Christ, that i do not need yoga. because he gives me the peace of mind, knowing that i am saved.
the blessing of the Holy Spirit comes from Christ. and Christ alone. that is my belief. just like how you have yours.
He died for us, to give us the chance to be saved from this temporary world.
and for all the good things you say, human wills are weak. i choose to seek Him first so that wellness does not take priority over everything else. God loves me, even though i am fat, stubby and short. He knows me better, He made me. my metabolism isnt something i know very well, but i pray and thank God for the food i have everyday. While there might be useful ways i could turn yoga around and use it for His glory, i note that i could be weak, and succumb to wanting what this world has to offer me rather than what i can offer God.
And i pray earnestly for Him to reach for me. And i know for a fact that when i die, and look back in my life, i will see God’s footsteps on the beach more often than i see mine and His footsteps.
ialsohensem said
What?
With each post, each reply, you are going off tangent each time. You said that you could use computers for His glory. So I say why not use yoga for his glory too. Then you reply you do not need yoga because you have Christ. Can I reply that why do you need computers since you have Christ? Because computers are essential to your daily life? Come now.. you cannot be selective in these things.
Anyways, like you mentioned.. you have your believes. I have mine. Other people have their believes too. So who are you to cast doubt into their believes? You say you are not casting doubt? Come on. That’s just denial. You believe that you are not casting doubt? Well good on you.
All the best to you then. I shall not come back to you blog you doubt caster! Also, you keep changing your thoughts and like lalang. Bye.