Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toefur · 08-21-2002, 06:51 AM

Greetings all!

This is my first post here, so please be gentle with me!

Today I heard on the grapevine that my ex girlfriend is doing karate. Now, that fact really isn't important I suppose, but it is what brings these thoughts to mind so I may as well include the full story.

Apparently she was horified that they were asked to meditate for a few minutes before the Karate lesson began.

This was, of course a terrible sin to suggest such a thing. Apparently, according to her - when one is meditating one loses control of the mind, which is an open invitation for bad spirits to enter her mind.

She was saying this from a Christian point of view. Now, I know that one doesn't lose control of their mind whilst meditating, that in fact one has greater clarity and control over their mind.

However, I am just wondering about the whole evil spirits thing. From all I have read of the Bible and other Christian related writings (which admittedly isn't a whole lot) - evil spirits such as this are never mentioned or anything.

On top of that, apparently she went to see a Christian specialist once who seemed to perform an exorcism of sorts - the lady told the girl that she had problems in her life because all these evil spirits - such as witchcraft - had gotten into her; and then banished them from her.

I am just wondering - it sounds like this girl is being told, and believing, complete and total crap.

I've never come accross any Christians before that have mentioned anything about evil spirits and such; and I'm just wondering that perhaps this is some subconscious desire of hers to help convince herself that things that aren't common to Christianity are obviously evil and sinful.

Thoughts?

I know theres talk of possession of evil spirits in the Bible here and there; but it doesn't seem to be the same sort of thing.

Especially when you consider that she jumps ahead sprouting facts such as meditating makes you lose control of your mind, sounds like she's been taught some pretty bogus stuff?

Steve K · 08-21-2002, 07:40 AM

Welcome to II, Toefur!

I've read some crazy Christian stuff - there are people out there that claim Karate itself is evil for a Christian to practice because it comes from the east. I guess to them anything from the east is evil.

Historically, as I remember, there have been numerous Christian mystics who practiced deep meditation as a way of communing with God. If I remember correctly, the Bible even calls on believers to meditate on God.

I think, unfortunatly, you're seeing what fundamentalism often brings - tighter and tighter restrictions on behavior, without justification, but claiming that such restrictions are straight from God.

I would agree that what she is saying is some "pretty bogus stuff". But then, I would apply that same label to Christianity as a whole.

- Steve

Cappy · 08-21-2002, 09:19 AM

When xianity is in your life, it can bring many strange beliefs with it. People buy into this stuff, like the evil spirit thing, and really it hurts them more than they think. They are actually giving up more and more control to a god, or to a priest/pastor.

Oh it's great to be free!

Cappy · 08-21-2002, 09:21 AM

I hope you don't mind, but my 1 year old daughter would like to say something:

0000000000 0;ftgftgyuioi7ydsutmuylu8l87kl j > / ??; op; ;; ;/

l

She loves to bang on the keyboard!

MortalWombat · 08-21-2002, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cappy:
<strong>I hope you don't mind, but my 1 year old daughter would like to say something:

0000000000 0;ftgftgyuioi7ydsutmuylu8l87kl j > / ??; op; ;; ;/

l</strong>

And she spelled it correcly, to boot.

Bree · 08-21-2002, 10:26 AM

Nope. A great deal of Christians believe that meditation, yoga, Pilates, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi (you get the picture) are really just the Devil's way of trying to get into your head. My church believed that yoga and ballet were being used by the Devil to snare young children under the guise of a health benefit or a hobby!

Meditation gets a bad rap from Christians because they tend to think of the "OM" meditation done by yogis and some Buddhists. Meditation can take several different forms.

Now, I would type more on the subject, but there's a very bad lightning storm outside and I'm going to shut off the computer.

Joel · 08-21-2002, 12:06 PM

The Jehovah's Witnesses are big into this kind of stuff. I heard from several elders about the 'evils' of meditation and how it opens your mind to demonic possession and influence.

08-21-2002, 06:51 AM	#1
Toefur Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 77	Christianity & Meditation Greetings all! This is my first post here, so please be gentle with me! Today I heard on the grapevine that my ex girlfriend is doing karate. Now, that fact really isn't important I suppose, but it is what brings these thoughts to mind so I may as well include the full story. Apparently she was horified that they were asked to meditate for a few minutes before the Karate lesson began. This was, of course a terrible sin to suggest such a thing. Apparently, according to her - when one is meditating one loses control of the mind, which is an open invitation for bad spirits to enter her mind. She was saying this from a Christian point of view. Now, I know that one doesn't lose control of their mind whilst meditating, that in fact one has greater clarity and control over their mind. However, I am just wondering about the whole evil spirits thing. From all I have read of the Bible and other Christian related writings (which admittedly isn't a whole lot) - evil spirits such as this are never mentioned or anything. On top of that, apparently she went to see a Christian specialist once who seemed to perform an exorcism of sorts - the lady told the girl that she had problems in her life because all these evil spirits - such as witchcraft - had gotten into her; and then banished them from her. I am just wondering - it sounds like this girl is being told, and believing, complete and total crap. I've never come accross any Christians before that have mentioned anything about evil spirits and such; and I'm just wondering that perhaps this is some subconscious desire of hers to help convince herself that things that aren't common to Christianity are obviously evil and sinful. Thoughts? I know theres talk of possession of evil spirits in the Bible here and there; but it doesn't seem to be the same sort of thing. Especially when you consider that she jumps ahead sprouting facts such as meditating makes you lose control of your mind, sounds like she's been taught some pretty bogus stuff?

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08-21-2002, 07:40 AM	#2
Steve K Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Corvallis, OR USA Posts: 64	Welcome to II, Toefur! I've read some crazy Christian stuff - there are people out there that claim Karate itself is evil for a Christian to practice because it comes from the east. I guess to them anything from the east is evil. Historically, as I remember, there have been numerous Christian mystics who practiced deep meditation as a way of communing with God. If I remember correctly, the Bible even calls on believers to meditate on God. I think, unfortunatly, you're seeing what fundamentalism often brings - tighter and tighter restrictions on behavior, without justification, but claiming that such restrictions are straight from God. I would agree that what she is saying is some "pretty bogus stuff". But then, I would apply that same label to Christianity as a whole. - Steve

08-21-2002, 09:19 AM	#3
Cappy Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 39	When xianity is in your life, it can bring many strange beliefs with it. People buy into this stuff, like the evil spirit thing, and really it hurts them more than they think. They are actually giving up more and more control to a god, or to a priest/pastor. Oh it's great to be free!

08-21-2002, 09:21 AM	#4
Cappy Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 39	I hope you don't mind, but my 1 year old daughter would like to say something: 0000000000 0;ftgftgyuioi7ydsutmuylu8l87kl j > / ??; op; ;; ;/ l She loves to bang on the keyboard!

08-21-2002, 10:26 AM	#6
Bree Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Twin Cities, USA Posts: 3,197	Nope. A great deal of Christians believe that meditation, yoga, Pilates, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi (you get the picture) are really just the Devil's way of trying to get into your head. My church believed that yoga and ballet were being used by the Devil to snare young children under the guise of a health benefit or a hobby! Meditation gets a bad rap from Christians because they tend to think of the "OM" meditation done by yogis and some Buddhists. Meditation can take several different forms. Now, I would type more on the subject, but there's a very bad lightning storm outside and I'm going to shut off the computer.

08-21-2002, 12:06 PM	#7
Joel Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 925	The Jehovah's Witnesses are big into this kind of stuff. I heard from several elders about the 'evils' of meditation and how it opens your mind to demonic possession and influence.

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