Well it depends on what “secular” group is using it. If a Karate School wanted to conduct classes there that is one thing but New Age practices are a false religion and have been condemned by many Bishops and Cardinals.I agree… what’s the problem? A Catholic high school building being used off hours by a secular group. So what?
This is a new age meditation group. Isn’t meditation a form of prayer?Well it depends on what “secular” group is using it. If a Karate School wanted to conduct classes there that is one thing but New Age practices are a false religion and have been condemned by many Bishops and Cardinals.
Would you have a problem if the classes were classes on Jewish prayer, or Greek philosophy?One of our local Catholic high schools just sent out a mailer regarding “continuing education” during off hours. Now here is my problem with this. 2 of these classes are Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. Any bit of research shows that these types of yoga are not just physical disciplines, but New Age style meditative techniques. Does anyone have any idea how I would go about making a complaint regarding this?
There are some differences. Most Jews make pretty clear that it is necessary for a Catholic to repudiate the Church if he wishes to become Jewish.Would you have a problem if the classes were classes on Jewish prayer, or Greek philosophy?
New Age meditation is Transcendental. That is not a proper form of Catholic/Christian prayer.This is a new age meditation group. Isn’t meditation a form of prayer?
It’s dangerous. That’s like saying one can consult a psychic and still be a good Catholic…it is dabbling in dangerous territory.If Thomas Merton could study Buddhism and still be deeply and profoundly Catholic, I don’t see what the problem is with folks learning some Yoga. What’s the big deal?
I would only have a problem with it if the classes were being used to teach a philosophy as an alternative to Catholic beliefs. Learning to breath and center yourself is no danger. It seems to me that might be helpful to some for being more contemplative on their own beliefs. How could that hurt them?
Way off topic, but I think the signature line is great! It shows how hypocritical ‘pro-choice’ people are! ‘Prochoice’ folks are really “pro-death”, since every baby chooses life!New Age meditation is Transcendental. That is not a proper form of Catholic/Christian prayer.
Also I resent your signature line re. pro choice
Thats the point right there. Meditation = prayer. And if you are using Hindu meditation, just who are you praying to??Regarding the yoga class, – good grief, the building is being used AFTER HOURS. It’s not it’s a class being offered to high school students during school hours!
Our Catholic high school rents space from a Jewish communicty center during school hours! I’m sure some of the religous topics being discussed during class go against the Jewish faith! Is it a problem?! NO!!
Meditation = prayer.
Independently of the discussion about yoga it appears to me that the Catholic school is sponsoring the event as “continuing education” and sending out fliers.One of our local Catholic high schools just sent out a mailer regarding “continuing education” during off hours.
Renting out a school hall to a Hindu group, with the understanding that the people who participate in their activities will be Hindus or those with an interest in converting to Hinduism, wouldn’t be a big problem.Regarding the yoga class, – good grief, the building is being used AFTER HOURS. It’s not it’s a class being offered to high school students during school hours!
Our Catholic high school rents space from a Jewish communicty center during school hours! I’m sure some of the religous topics being discussed during class go against the Jewish faith! Is it a problem?! NO!!
Meditation = prayer.
Just because there might be a good result doesn’t make or justify the methods of reaching those results:A building is a building is a building. Consider this. Are there posters in the room that is being rented? Do those posters have pictures of Jesus, Mary, or Pope Benedict? Do they have Catholic phrases or contain biblical passages? If you answer yes, then perhaps some who come will look at those posters and ask more about the Catholic faith. Who knows, they might convert.
You’re right, saying Hindu chants for meditation is not Church Teaching. Yet at the same time, those who are doing it off hours are not hurting anybody. Think of this. Maybe those who attend these excercises will think better of the Church because they’ll believe that the Church is tolerable to other religions. It improves inter-religious relations. So why do you protest when the 2 examples that I’ve shown you lead to good?
Funny. So how does suffering in Purgatory and on earth lead us to eternal happiness?Just because there might be a good result doesn’t make or justify the methods of reaching those results:
For example, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. This allowed him, through other events, to be in a position to help his family when the famine hit. Good result, but nasty way of getting there: being sold into slavery and being falsely accused.