Religion

xchrom

(108,903 posts) Thu Feb 28, 2013, 07:58 AM Feb 2013

Christians Protest Yoga in Schools -- But Welcome Bible Study

http://www.alternet.org/belief/christians-protest-yoga-schools-welcome-bible-study

When is touching your toes just touching your toes, and when is it an effort to indoctrinate small children in Hinduism?

That is the question that emerged from reporting in the New York Times, Fox News, and the Guardian on the threat of a lawsuit by a group of public school parents in Encinitas, Calif., over a yoga class in a public elementary school.

But the most compelling aspect of the controversy has nothing to do with the religious nature of yoga, or with the fears of parents. Rather, the case raises serious questions about the separation of church and school, and about the many religiously-driven programs that are already active in public education, even in Encinitas. As it turns out, there is so much religion in public education today that the fuss over yoga is like worrying about a stain on your blouse when your trousers are covered in mud.

There are two important ways to think about the issue of yoga -- or other potentially religiously-inspired content in public schools. The first test has to do with the content of the program; the second has to do with the connection of the sponsoring organization to the curriculum being presented.

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Christians Protest Yoga in Schools -- But Welcome Bible Study (Original Post) xchrom Feb 2013 OP

I'm not surprised there's a lawsuit, but it's the typical target du jour for some groups... Sancho Feb 2013 #1

Welcome to the religion group, Sancho, and thanks for the thoughtful post. cbayer Feb 2013 #2

Sancho

(9,070 posts)

1. I'm not surprised there's a lawsuit, but it's the typical target du jour for some groups...

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Thu Feb 28, 2013, 08:43 AM

Feb 2013

First, I've been a protestant church member all my life, and I go to yoga classes. At my age it's good exercise. I really don't care what the 1000 year old origin of yoga means other than it's a curiosity. Yoga, as most people "practice" it, is not a religion unless you consider going to class at your local YMCA a commitment to a "church".

As an educator, I saw challenges to teaching evolution in my classes (1970's), to "values clarification", to some kinds of music, and all kinds of literature. Year after year there was a constant stream of complaints and lawsuits and protests over holidays, assignments, field trips, and use of school facilities.

Every school I've ever been associated with in three states over 35 years will always allow students to opt out of anything that their personal religion objects to, and I suspect that would be true of yoga in the class. I'm sure that parents can choose some alternative if they don't want their kids to go to yoga.

On the other hand, there is no such thing as a general education that won't eventually step on someone's toes, and it's impossible to make everyone else only do what some subgroup wants. Schools sponsor scouting (which has "God" in it's curriculum), culture-based holidays (Valentines, Halloween, Christmas, etc.), and a zillion other after hour groups. If you traced all of them back to sponsoring groups - the school would be devoid of virtually all activities.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)

2. Welcome to the religion group, Sancho, and thanks for the thoughtful post.

Reply to Sancho (Reply #1)

Thu Feb 28, 2013, 01:24 PM

Feb 2013

Fortunately this is a very small group of parents and the program is being supported by the vast majority of parents.

While I am a big supporter of 1st amendment separation enforcement, this doesn't even come close, imo.

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