Nagaland Baptist Church Council asks to refrain from practicing Yoga

Imphal, Aug 22: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council has call upon its constituent Associations and Churches to refrain from the practice of Yoga.
“Yoga is a spiritual and physical discipline deeply rooted in the religious belief and practice of Hinduism and hence it is not compatible with Christianity,” as statement by Rev. Dr. Zelho Keyho, General Secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council said.
The statement however said that it is not against any religion, but any form of meditation, philosophical thinking and transcendental meditation tied to any religion, contrary to Christian World, is viewed seriously by the Church.
The Church body also appeal institutions, both within and outside Nagaland, to exempt Naga students from practice of Yoga so as not to hurt the religious sentiments of Christian community as well as to uphold the religious freedom envisaged in the Constitution.
The statement comes amidst Indian Government hectic effort to popularise the Yoga across the country as well as across the globe.
Non-Hindu communities at other part of the world had started accepting Yoga as a tool to improve the health of individuals.
The Church body of Nagaland had also earlier cautions its follower from practicing Yoga.