Back up your calendars - apparently it's 500 years ago and we were not notified:
Parents Sue Over Elementary School Yoga Program, Fear Kids Are Learning 'Neopaganism'//http://laist.com/2013/02/21/parents_fearing_neopaganism_sue_sch.php
QuoteParents whose children attend several Encinitas elementary schools are so fed up with the yoga classes there that they have filed a lawsuit against the district.
The yoga classes began "at about half of Encinitas' elementary schools this fall after the district received a $533,000 grant from the Jois Foundation, which promotes Ashtanga yoga," according to KPBS.
Around that time is when parents began to protest the classes, because they claim that yoga is inherently religious, and the practice of Ashtanga yoga is one "in which physical actions are inextricable from the spiritual beliefs underlying them," meaning the class is a violation of the laws mandating the separation of church and state.
According to a New York Times story from December 2012, one vocal parent of a first grader, Mary Eady, explained her objection:
"They're not just teaching physical poses, they're teaching children how to think and how to make decisions," Ms. Eady said. "They're teaching children how to meditate and how to look within for peace and for comfort. They're using this as a tool for many things beyond just stretching."
Eady and other parents have said for several months now that the classes lead students down a religious path, which is inappropriate for a public school classroom.
Religion Dispatches took a look at Eady's background, however, and noted her professional life ties her to a group that works to eradicate what they call "neopaganism,":
Eady works at a Christian organization called Truthxchange, whose chief mission is to "respond to the rising tide of neopaganism." Her lawyer's organization, NCPL, is an affiliate of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF, formerly the Alliance Defense Fund), a conservative Christian legal advocacy group that has litigated on behalf of evangelical activity in schools and the broader public square. As might be imagined, the ADF takes a dim view of "neopaganism," whatever that means to them.
The Encinitas Unified School District (EUSD) says that students--and parents--have had an "opt-out" choice when it comes to participating in the yoga classes. This is where the newly-filed lawsuit comes in, however, as the suit claims "students who opt out of the yoga instruction are being denied the minimum amount of physical education class time guaranteed under state law."
The lawsuit is looking to have the classes halted completely. It was filed by parents Stephen and Jennifer Sedlock, who are "represented by Dean Broyles of the conservative-Christian National Center for Law and Policy."
Of the classes and the suit, the Associated Press reports Broyles said: "EUSD's Ashtanga yoga program represents a serious breach of the public trust," Broyles said. "Compliance with the clear requirements of law is not optional or discretionary. This is frankly the clearest case of the state trampling on the religious freedom rights of citizens that I have personally witnessed in my 18 years of practice as a constitutional attorney."
In December, Broyles "likened Encinitas students to religious guinea pigs," notes KPBS.
EUSD Superintendent Timothy B. Baird said:
"We're not teaching religion," he said. "We teach a very mainstream physical fitness program that happens to incorporate yoga into it. It's part of our overall wellness program. The vast majority of students and parents support it."
Though he says he has not seen the lawsuit, he says the district intends to continue offering the yoga classes. Baird also says several law firms have approached the district with offers to represent them pro bono in the case.
//http://current.com/blog/93942152_parents-fear-yoga-is-indoctrinating-their-kids.htm
//http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/shine-on/california-parents-threaten-sue-school-board-over-yoga-194108769.html
Cause pumpin them full-o-pills and jesus is so much healthier.
Yoga doesn't cause people to shoot abortion doctors. Maybe the fans of Jesus need to scrap that crap instead.
Once again, the specter of Christian ignorance rears it's ugly head.
QuoteAshtanga yoga is one "in which physical actions are inextricable from the spiritual beliefs underlying them," meaning the class is a violation of the laws mandating the separation of church and state.
Fundies invoking a claim of violation of separation of church and state. Oh, the irony. :rollin:
Quote from: "BarkAtTheMoon"QuoteAshtanga yoga is one "in which physical actions are inextricable from the spiritual beliefs underlying them," meaning the class is a violation of the laws mandating the separation of church and state.
Fundies invoking a claim of violation of separation of church and state. Oh, the irony. :rollin:
Gets one of these:
(//https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/285391_10151311148253951_1295936929_n.jpg)
Hey fuck you guys... If I see a kid stretching I'm calling a pastor to save him or her from eternal damnation and you can all just to the heck!
Note: Please excuse my use of heck as a derogatory manner.. ..and the..uhh..fuck you part.. Satan made me do it.. I stretched a bit this morning..
Quote from: "AllPurposeAtheist"Hey fuck you guys... If I see a kid stretching I'm calling a pastor to save him or her from eternal damnation and you can all just to the heck!
Note: Please excuse my use of heck as a derogatory manner.. ..and the..uhh..fuck you part.. Satan made me do it.. I stretched a bit this morning..
Go APA go on with yo bad self
Quote from: "AllPurposeAtheist"Hey fuck you guys... If I see a kid stretching I'm calling a pastor to save him or her from eternal damnation and you can all just to the heck!
Note: Please excuse my use of heck as a derogatory manner.. ..and the..uhh..fuck you part.. Satan made me do it.. I stretched a bit this morning..
Hilarious!!!! =D>
While I may take some heat for this, the fundies might actually have a point here. I don't know alot about Yoga, but the law should be applied equally if it really is being used to indoctrinate children. Now, being fundies, they may very well just be blowing hot air, but thats for the court to decide.
Quote from: "_Xenu_"While I may take some heat for this, the fundies might actually have a point here. I don't know alot about Yoga, but the law should be applied equally if it really is being used to indoctrinate children. Now, being fundies, they may very well just be blowing hot air, but thats for the court to decide.
I assumed this was stretching exercise, but if it's some kind of far eastern woo, you might be right.
Quote from: "_Xenu_"While I may take some heat for this, the fundies might actually have a point here. I don't know alot about Yoga, but the law should be applied equally if it really is being used to indoctrinate children.
Possibly, but I seriously doubt it. Their main argument is that the yoga exercises "are inextricable from the spiritual beliefs underlying them", (a bit like arguing that learning Karate amounts to Shinto indoctrination) which likely indicates that a secularized yoga is actually being taught. If they had some more substantial objection than "They're teaching children how to meditate and how to look within for peace and for comfort" then they probably would have gone with that, instead.
Given that and the less-than-impressive ADF links, I'm going with the hot air explanation. Fundies live for attacking anything remotely associated with "paganism" in their eyes. And the irony in charging the school with religious indoctrination is delicious.
Inner peace and increased flexibility. The horror!
Quote from: "Hydra009"If they had some more substantial objection than "They're teaching children how to meditate and how to look within for peace and for comfort" then they probably would have gone with that, instead.
In all fairness, meditation originated with Buddhism, whatever you consider it to be. I've known atheists who were fans of the practice, but an argument can still be made. Looking within for peace, instead of towards a deity, is also a concept traditionally associated more with traditional eastern religious thought.
Quote from: "_Xenu_"Quote from: "Hydra009"If they had some more substantial objection than "They're teaching children how to meditate and how to look within for peace and for comfort" then they probably would have gone with that, instead.
In all fairness, meditation originated with Buddhism, whatever you consider it to be. I've known atheists who were fans of the practice, but an argument can still be made. Looking within for peace, instead of towards a deity, is also a concept traditionally associated more with traditional eastern religious thought.
No. Earliest records place it in Vedic religion (//http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Vedic_religion) - Buddhism was later - and has long been a part of numerous religions and been practiced in a secular manner. Buddhism doesn't own meditation any more than I own a series of West African diamond mines famous for its lax safety regulations and mandatory Dig-Dug-inspired uniforms.
Although yoga is a practice that is part of many eastern religions, it is beyond stupid for these people to claim that teaching it is the same as teaching the religion. This just proves their poor education. Singing is also a part of many religious traditions, but much like the general mental and physical excercise in yoga, the general musical tradition of singing is not INHERENTLY religious.
Anyway, since the district points out that a majority of parents (so I presume, even the majority of Christian parent then) do not have any objections, these extremist crazies won't get any traction on this subject. Maybe they will pull their kids out and send them to private school, or home school.
Those poor kids with stupid and crazy parent though. #-o
These types of things are always fear based. Fear that a new idea might cause young minds to stray from their beliefs. They are afraid of new ideas.
Quote from: "stromboli"Inner peace and increased flexibility. The horror!
Cause........yep ......... leads to laying curses and eating baby toes Every single time.
I'd know. Yep, started out innocently being fascinated by crystals and rocks of any kind and touching grass, leaves and herbs...... then *sparkle*
BAM *sparkle*... I was turning peeps into
toads at will. Power is a scary thing.
(You have NO idea how many family members are missing and the rise in toad population for the state of TN)
buwaaahaaa
Quote from: "SGOS"Once again, the specter of Christian ignorance rears it's ugly head.
Just as it has since its invention. I was looking for a magazine to submit a short story to the other day and came across an English (UK) magazine called Dark Places. In the writer guidelines there was one rule that simultaneously pissed me off and made me laugh. That rule was: "Christianity shall not be portrayed negatively in any story submitted."
Crazy shit!! I couldn't help myself, so I emailed the editor and told him what a fanatical nutsack he is.
Alright so I decided to take a look for myself, and I'm voting down the yoga.
So first there is the Jois Foundation website:
//http://kpjoisfoundation.org/
Only a single page, seemed pretty secular, although I was still kind of unsure. Just the way some of the things on there were stated made me doubtful.
So I visited the Jois Yoga site:
//http://joisyoga.com/
And there I found some things that makes me lean towards the, 'get the yoga out of the schools' side.
Under their "Story" section:
QuoteBut Jois Yoga is more than just a collection of shalas. It is also an instrument of outreach, through the newly formed Jois Yoga Foundation, which was created to bring the Pattabhi Jois philosophy to youths in underserved communities. The Jois Yoga Foundation is currently partnered with two schools, one in Virginia and one and Kenya, and intends to bring Ashtanga instruction to upwards of 7,000 youths by midsummer 2012, with much more ambitious outreach goals on the horizon.
Bringing the "philosophy" of their teacher to youths sounds fishy. And to top it off they are partnering in schools in poorer areas that are more likely to become indoctrinated like Kenya.......and Virginia. There is also:
QuoteThrough these three integrated efforts–instruction, outreach, and socially conscious apparel–Jois Yoga pursues its mission, to bring the philosophy, teachings, and values of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois to as many people as it is able to reach.
Proselytizing? Maybe....let's continue. You may have noticed that they mentioned "socially conscious apparel." They were talking about their own line of apparel:
QuoteAdditionally, Jois Yoga is a spiritually conscious line of clothing, created in keeping with the Jois philosophy of non-violence and sustainability. Jois Yoga apparel is designed to allow physical flexibility, with the intention of inspiring spiritual flexibility as well. Proceeds from the apparel boutiques will go to the Jois Yoga Foundation.
Sounds a little like some Mormon magic underwear with their apparel that inspires spirituality, and the proceeds go to their foundation. Could this be tithing?
Well at least there's no weird rituals or anything like that. Well.....unless you count them abstaining from practice during Moon Days. What? I forgot to mention Moon Days?.... aw shit son you don't know what you're missing!
//http://joisyoga.com/practice/moon-days/
QuoteIt has always been the tradition in Ashtanga Yoga to rest from asana practice on new and full moon days (tithis). When asked why we shouldn't practice on these days, Guruji was fond of saying, "Two 'plantets' [grahas] one place, very dangerous." What is meant by this is that on these days, the sun and the moon are in a line relative to the position of the earth. Consequently, their gravitational forces are all combined, and thus the effect of the 'plantets' more pronounced. One definitive effect of this is that the ocean's tides are higher and lower on these days. When ?sana practice is done daily, rest days are important for regeneration; and the extra biweekly 'moon day' comes as a welcomed respite.
And don't worry if you think their Moon Days might be different from the other Ahstanga schools, because:
QuoteWe use the Indian method of calculation
Quote from: "Warhorse"Quote from: "SGOS"Once again, the specter of Christian ignorance rears it's ugly head.
In the writer guidelines there was one rule that simultaneously pissed me off and made me laugh. That rule was: "Christianity shall not be portrayed negatively in any story submitted."
Hmmm. That's one sided.
I am all for Yoga, but why a particularly private kind of Yoga (ashtanga)? This is a family enterprise of the Joises.
"socially conscious apparel"
WTF is that???
Quote from: "commonsense822"Alright so I decided to take a look for myself, and I'm voting down the yoga.
So first there is the Jois Foundation website:
//http://kpjoisfoundation.org/
Only a single page, seemed pretty secular, although I was still kind of unsure. Just the way some of the things on there were stated made me doubtful.
So I visited the Jois Yoga site:
//http://joisyoga.com/
And there I found some things that makes me lean towards the, 'get the yoga out of the schools' side.
Under their "Story" section:
QuoteBut Jois Yoga is more than just a collection of shalas. It is also an instrument of outreach, through the newly formed Jois Yoga Foundation, which was created to bring the Pattabhi Jois philosophy to youths in underserved communities. The Jois Yoga Foundation is currently partnered with two schools, one in Virginia and one and Kenya, and intends to bring Ashtanga instruction to upwards of 7,000 youths by midsummer 2012, with much more ambitious outreach goals on the horizon.
Bringing the "philosophy" of their teacher to youths sounds fishy. And to top it off they are partnering in schools in poorer areas that are more likely to become indoctrinated like Kenya.......and Virginia. There is also:
QuoteThrough these three integrated efforts–instruction, outreach, and socially conscious apparel–Jois Yoga pursues its mission, to bring the philosophy, teachings, and values of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois to as many people as it is able to reach.
Proselytizing? Maybe....let's continue. You may have noticed that they mentioned "socially conscious apparel." They were talking about their own line of apparel:
QuoteAdditionally, Jois Yoga is a spiritually conscious line of clothing, created in keeping with the Jois philosophy of non-violence and sustainability. Jois Yoga apparel is designed to allow physical flexibility, with the intention of inspiring spiritual flexibility as well. Proceeds from the apparel boutiques will go to the Jois Yoga Foundation.
Sounds a little like some Mormon magic underwear with their apparel that inspires spirituality, and the proceeds go to their foundation. Could this be tithing?
Well at least there's no weird rituals or anything like that. Well.....unless you count them abstaining from practice during Moon Days. What? I forgot to mention Moon Days?.... aw shit son you don't know what you're missing!
//http://joisyoga.com/practice/moon-days/
QuoteIt has always been the tradition in Ashtanga Yoga to rest from asana practice on new and full moon days (tithis). When asked why we shouldn't practice on these days, Guruji was fond of saying, "Two 'plantets' [grahas] one place, very dangerous." What is meant by this is that on these days, the sun and the moon are in a line relative to the position of the earth. Consequently, their gravitational forces are all combined, and thus the effect of the 'plantets' more pronounced. One definitive effect of this is that the ocean's tides are higher and lower on these days. When ?sana practice is done daily, rest days are important for regeneration; and the extra biweekly 'moon day' comes as a welcomed respite.
And don't worry if you think their Moon Days might be different from the other Ahstanga schools, because:
QuoteWe use the Indian method of calculation
Well - all that does sound a little fucked up. Thanks CS.
Weird.
:shock:
You'd have thought the journalist looking into this would have tackled research as you have? I read several articles about this and didn't read anywhere what you found.
Weird. More.
Quote from: "Mathias""socially conscious apparel"
WTF is that???
Typically that means clothing that wasn't produced in sweatshops or by kids in third world countries. So, no Walmart.
We used to have a yoga class back in my high school, but it was just taught by one of the gym teachers that had an interest in yoga. Ultimately I don't think there is anything wrong with teaching straight up yoga to kids, but this foundation seems like it may possibly have its own motives.
But the Christian protestors are still as bat shit crazy as usual.
"They're not just teaching physical poses, they're teaching children how to think and how to make decisions," Ms. Eady said. "They're teaching children how to meditate and how to look within for peace and for comfort."
What, exactly, is wrong with that? If everyone learned how to do this, there would be far less need for psychologists, therapists, and drugs for dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and the host of other mental illnesses afflicting Americans these days. Maybe they could be helped with yoga and meditation. But of course, it's not in your therapist's best interests to recommend yoga to you--not when you're paying him $90 an hour to tell you what's wrong with you.
Oh, and let's discuss how well prayer works at calming a child's fears, helping her to think and make better decisions, and how to find solutions to her problems. Oh, right, IT DOESN'T DO ANY OF THESE THINGS AT ALL. I am so sick of Christian fucktards. I wish they would all stab themselves in the head with crucifixes and rid the world of their stupidity.
Teaching kids to think for themselves and find peace and inner confort? THOSE BASTARDS! HOW DARE THEY?
I for one demand little frightened robots.. :evil:
Yeah, I'd be suspicious of this, myself, given the funding.
Of course, these parents should complain to the school-board first, rather than lawyer up. Looks to me like both sides are being a little disingenuous.
Quote...in which physical actions are inextricable from the spiritual beliefs underlying them
Yep.
[youtube:35iv9aja]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lvU-DislkI[/youtube:35iv9aja]
This is much better than what a shaman can do in India. I appreciate Mr. Hinn's magic, and of course, God's power.
Don't teach anything that may have origins outside of christian dogma, and you'll be fine. Just teach christian yoga; wait, what now? Teach christian Kung Fu, er, teach, ah, nevermind, just teach the bible!
Quote from: "Jmpty"Teach christian Kung Fu
The Chritian Kung Fu equivalent to the Kiss of Death:
Betraying your friend and then imprisoning him. Later making him walk throughout the city with a cross on his back and a crown of thorns on his head. Then nailing his limbs to said cross and letting him die slowly.
Yeeaaahhh.....sounds bout right.
[youtube:2xo518ja]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35TbGjt-weA[/youtube:2xo518ja]