What to do with "New Age" material

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After years of study, Tai Chi is part of a concept called Qi. The Chinese believe in a lot of things. One, that there is an energy that flows through the body. It is not compatible with Christian beliefs.

Respectfully,
Ed
 
The position often cited by apologists on this forum is that martial arts and Eastern exercise regimes like Tai Chi are okay as long as you are doing it purely for the exercise and don’t get caught up in the spiritual side of it. New Age is to be avoided, but if you wanted to watch Tai Chi DVDs to teach you how to do exercises there is nothing wrong with that. Hypnosis is scientifically dubious but I don’t see how it is incompatible with the Catholic faith.
 
edwest2 said:
After years of study, Tai Chi is part of a concept called Qi. The Chinese believe in a lot of things. One, that there is an energy that flows through the body. It is not compatible with Christian beliefs.

Respectfully,
Ed
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Yes, but Tai Chi as a martial art predates religious attachments to it. It actually began in India. Merely because it is an Eastern form of combat defined by Eastern concepts doesn’t make it anti-Christian. The body does have an energy flow–we call it the nervous system. However, most Westerners who practice the martial art for exercise don’t follow Eastern philosophies or religions. It’s just body movements–that’s all. Western martial arts, such as boxing or fencing have their philosophies, too. Tai Chi as a martial art is neutral, just as they are. It’s merely a discipline as is gymnastics, although not as strenuous in it’s most popular form.
 
Oh please. It’s the same as yoga…" it’s just physical exercise. …" yeah, right. :rolleyes: excuses.
 
E_7 said:
Oh please. It’s the same as yoga…" it’s just physical exercise. …" yeah, right. :rolleyes: excuses.
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I often wondered how Catholics could get suckered into that garbage. If only they spent as much time learning the truths of their own Catholic faith, they would soon learn the harm of it.God Bless, Memaw
 
E_7 said:
Oh please. It’s the same as yoga…" it’s just physical exercise. …" yeah, right. :rolleyes: excuses.
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In your opinion. Why not ask those who actually do Tai Chi for exercise instead of reading and believing scare-mongers. Some people love to be titillated more than know the true. And some people just itch to pass it on. My Tai Chi instructor never pushed his Buddhism on us, and I had no interest in it, except an intellectual one. My Catholicism is firmly intact. One can do Tai Chi without getting into anything religious because it’s a martial art, not a religious philosophy or belief. Period. End of story.
 
Della said:
In your opinion. Why not ask those who actually do Tai Chi for exercise instead of reading and believing scare-mongers. Some people love to be titillated more than know the true. And some people just itch to pass it on. My Tai Chi instructor never pushed his Buddhism on us, and I had no interest in it, except an intellectual one. My Catholicism is firmly intact. One can do Tai Chi without getting into anything religious because it’s a martial art, not a religious philosophy or belief. Period. End of story.
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Hi Della,

I agree with you. I was doing Tai Chi for awhile as part of an exercise program for physical rehab. I wasn’t practicing it as a religion.

In fact, this thread got me to thinking that I think that if anyone has any questions about any New Age items that have on hand, perhaps it would be a good idea to ask their pastor/parish priest about them if they’re not sure about what to do with them.
 
oldgraymare2 said:
Hi Della,

In fact, this thread got me to thinking that I think that if anyone has any questions about any New Age items that have on hand, perhaps it would be a good idea to ask their pastor/parish priest about them if they’re not sure about what to do with them.
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I posed the question to “Ask the Apologist” but haven’t gotten an answer, so I thought I’d post it to the community. Sounds like there are different schools of thought, especially with the Tai Chi. I appreciate all the (name removed by moderator)ut. I may bring it up to my priest if I get the opportunity, but I’ve pretty much made up my mind that I want to continue to abandon some of these former practices. It doesn’t feel right to me.

It’s a personal choice that I stick with walking outside in nature for exercise (which always soothes my soul and reduces stress, as well as being a good overall workout). I just wasn’t sure whether or not to pass along some of this stuff to others. I’ve decided to burn and/or throw in the trash.
 
edwest2 said:
After years of study, Tai Chi is part of a concept called Qi. The Chinese believe in a lot of things. One, that there is an energy that flows through the body. It is not compatible with Christian beliefs.

Respectfully,
Ed
Click to expand...
If energy flowing through the body is not compatible with Catholic beliefs then how do Catholics move muscles and feel sensations?
 
MaryEllen1951 said:
I posed the question to “Ask the Apologist” but haven’t gotten an answer, so I thought I’d post it to the community. Sounds like there are different schools of thought, especially with the Tai Chi. I appreciate all the (name removed by moderator)ut. I may bring it up to my priest if I get the opportunity, but I’ve pretty much made up my mind that I want to continue to abandon some of these former practices. It doesn’t feel right to me.

It’s a personal choice that I stick with walking outside in nature for exercise (which always soothes my soul and reduces stress, as well as being a good overall workout). I just wasn’t sure whether or not to pass along some of this stuff to others. I’ve decided to burn and/or throw in the trash.
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I think that’s a great idea, about asking an Apologist. 🙂

I probably would have disposed of the other New Age items, as well.

When I have had questions of a spiritual nature, I have personally sought out the advice and guidance of my pastor.

I think that we can get varying opinions on a forum just due to everyone’s own life experiences.
 
Michael_Mayo said:
If energy flowing through the body is not compatible with Catholic beliefs then how do Catholics move muscles and feel sensations?
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It doesn’t refer to that kind of energy.

A useful book to me is:

Yoga, Tai Chi, Reiki, a guide for Christians, by Max Sculley DLS, published 2012.
 
MaryEllen1951 said:
I posed the question to “Ask the Apologist” but haven’t gotten an answer, so I thought I’d post it to the community. Sounds like there are different schools of thought, especially with the Tai Chi. I appreciate all the (name removed by moderator)ut. I may bring it up to my priest if I get the opportunity, but I’ve pretty much made up my mind that I want to continue to abandon some of these former practices. It doesn’t feel right to me.

It’s a personal choice that I stick with walking outside in nature for exercise (which always soothes my soul and reduces stress, as well as being a good overall workout). I just wasn’t sure whether or not to pass along some of this stuff to others. I’ve decided to burn and/or throw in the trash.
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I would put it in a recycling bin.
 
Sculley recommends Praise Moves and Power Moves for Kids.

I think a particularly important thing is to watch how people tell you what to think or not to think.

Christian life means thinking what we want, when we want, bringing all our worries with us to Christ etc. The opposite of going blank.

The unwary might not be equipped to make the distinction, hence even if it is just exercises “badged as” Tai Chi that might lead them into the full on version by association.

When my neighbour offered surplus unsuitable materials I said an Our Father over them and recycled them (didn’t donate them for sale).
 
Why is it so difficult to recognize Christ in anything before Christianity and outside Europe even when it can help to bring health and healing.
 
I cannot cut and paste the link but please have a look at “Redemptoris Missio” #28 and 29 also #55 and 56. How the Spirit is active in every time and place and Dialogue with our brothers and sisters of other religions. The Holy Spirit leads us to broaden our vision in order to ponder His activity in every time and place.
 
Occult? New Age? Trash it. Destroy it beyond usefulness first.
Tai Chi? :shrug" Exercise is exercise.
Meditation? Use Christian meditative techniques. We have plenty.

In doubt about whether something is New Age of not? Ask an Apologist, or consult your priest or pastor.
 
It is time we treat other religions with respect rather than as bogeymen.
  1. The Spirit manifests himself in a special way in the Church and in her members. Nevertheless, his presence and activity are universal, limited neither by space nor time.35 The Second Vatican Council recalls that the Spirit is at work in the heart of every person, through the “seeds of the Word,” to be found in human initiatives-including religious ones-and in mankind’s efforts to attain truth, goodness and God himself.36
The Spirit’s presence and activity affect not only the individuals but also society and history, peoples, cultures and religions. Indeed, the Spirit is at the origin of the noble ideals and undertakings which benefit humanity on its journey through history: “The Spirit of God with marvelous foresight directs the course of the ages and renews the face of the earth.”
  1. Thus the Spirit, who “blows where he wills” (cf. Jn 3:8), who "was already at work in the world before Christ was glorified,"43 and who “has filled the world,…holds all things together [and] knows what is said” (Wis 1:7), leads us to broaden our vision in order to ponder his activity in every time and place. I have repeatedly called this fact to mind, and it has guided me in my meetings with a wide variety of peoples. The Church’s relationship with other religions is dictated by a twofold respect: “Respect for man in his quest for answers to the deepest questions of his life, and respect for the action of the Spirit in man.”
  2. Inter-religious dialogue is a part of the Church’s evangelizing mission. Understood as a method and means of mutual knowledge and enrichment, dialogue is not in opposition to the mission ad gentes; indeed, it has special links with that mission and is one of its expressions. This mission, in fact, is addressed to those who do not know Christ and his Gospel, and who belong for the most part to other religions. In Christ, God calls all peoples to himself and he wishes to share with them the fullness of his revelation and love. He does not fail to make himself present in many ways, not only to individuals but also to entire peoples through their spiritual riches, of which their religions are the main and essential expression, even when they contain “gaps, insufficiencies and errors.”
  3. Dialogue does not originate from tactical concerns or self-interest, but is an activity with its own guiding principles, requirements and dignity. It is demanded by deep respect for everything that has been brought about in human beings by the Spirit who blows where he wills.103 Through dialogue, the Church seeks to uncover the "seeds of the Word,"104 a "ray of that truth which enlightens all men’’;105 these are found in individuals and in the religious traditions of mankind. Dialogue is based on hope and love, and will bear fruit in the Spirit. Other religions constitute a positive challenge for the Church: they stimulate her both to discover and acknowledge the signs of Christ’s presence and of the working of the Spirit, as well as to examine more deeply her own identity and to bear witness to the fullness of Revelation which she has received for the good of all.
w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_07121990_redemptoris-missio.html
 
I agree with M Mayo…is your faith so weak that learning what others believe will sway you? How can you hope to change someones mind if all you know of their beliefs is a column of black smoke? Yes, if you begin to go over things and they are truly bad, by all means destroy them, but don’t assume by the shelf its on in the bookstore alone that its pure evil. We really don’t need a repeat of the dark ages! Convert minds with reason, not fear!
 
Della said:
Yes, but Tai Chi as a martial art predates religious attachments to it. It actually began in India. Merely because it is an Eastern form of combat defined by Eastern concepts doesn’t make it anti-Christian. The body does have an energy flow–we call it the nervous system. However, most Westerners who practice the martial art for exercise don’t follow Eastern philosophies or religions. It’s just body movements–that’s all. Western martial arts, such as boxing or fencing have their philosophies, too. Tai Chi as a martial art is neutral, just as they are. It’s merely a discipline as is gymnastics, although not as strenuous in it’s most popular form.
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I disagree. Tai Chi is not understood by Westerners in its full context. The nervous system has nothing to do with Eastern thinking about bodily energy and related energy in the environment.

Ed
 
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