More Twattish church behaviour - this time with Tai Chi

[Rum]

From the Daily Telegraph, but I hear this story on the radio. The vicar sounded like someone trying to sound holy. The twat.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... -hall.html

Rector throws Tai Chi class out of church hall

A rector threw a Tai Chi class out of his church hall after ruling that the exercise was not compatible with Christianity.

The group had been meeting at St Marks Church in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, for years when Reverend Jonathan Frais suddenly served them a month's notice.

He said their sessions were "inappropriate on a Christian premises." Instructor Richard Odell branded the decision "ridiculous", saying: "We have been here for quite a few years. It's insulting and effectively saying the church is now not prepared to tolerate our presence."

Jean Mills, a student, said: "Our classes focus on the health benefits of deep breathing and slow exercise. We all consider ourselves Christians with several of us regular churchgoers.

"For almost four years I have attended Tai Chi lessons and from the onset Mr Odell made it clear to us that he did not teach a religion."

Mr Frais said: "Tai Chi is a practice from the Taoist religion. Although the relaxation techniques are not teaching a different religion, it advocates practices that come from a different faith.

"It got to the point where it struck me as inappropriate on Christian premises for an expression of another religion to be hosted."

[Clinton Huxley]

Does that mean that the Reverned is going to expunge from his "Christianity" any aspects that have been plagiarised from other religions?

What a priceless buffoon.

[kiki5711]

Wow, that was really Christian of him.

[Pappa]

Is this an old story? I swear I heard something identical about 6 months ago.

[Theophilus]

I agree with the vicar (if this was more than an exercise class and that "chis" were being mentioned, which they are even if only in the name), though perhaps he could have given them longer to find alternative premises to use.

I see no problem in sharing premises if people know they are inter-faith premises, but having it in a church hall carries the danger that people think that the Church endorses the teaching of chi life forces which it clearly can't as it has no place in the scripture, traditions or theology of the Christian church.

Would the humanist society encourage Catholic masses to be held in their offices?

[Rum]

Is this an old story? I swear I heard something identical about 6 months ago.

Nope - on the radio today.

[Pappa]

Is this an old story? I swear I heard something identical about 6 months ago.

Nope - on the radio today.

Then, unless I'm getting déjà vu, this is not the first time a church has suspended a Tai Chi class for being unchristian.

[Clinton Huxley]

having it in a church hall carries the danger that people think that the Church endorses the teaching of chi life forces which it clearly can't as it has no place in the scripture, traditions or theology of the Christian church.

The early church fathers would have put chi in the Bible if they'd had an inkling that the church would be able to make some money out of tai chi classes in the future.

As far as I'm aware, playing happy-clappy guitar music is not mentioned in the Babble, but that doesn't seem to stop my your average vicar.

[Theophilus]

Oh, happy clappy music can definitely go into Room 101 along with the tai chi

But, I am sure you see the difference between allowing happy clappy music (which is distasteful and just generally rubbish) and potentially being seen to endorse another faith system which denies the essentials of the Christian faith. As I say, I see no problem in sharing neutral premises, but care should be taken in the choice of what is seen to be done under the name of the Church.

[Clinton Huxley]

I'd have thought the church would have been all in favour of any form of handwaving......

[Cunt]

Oh, happy clappy music can definitely go into Room 101 along with the tai chi

But, I am sure you see the difference between allowing happy clappy music (which is distasteful and just generally rubbish) and potentially being seen to endorse another faith system which denies the essentials of the Christian faith. As I say, I see no problem in sharing neutral premises, but care should be taken in the choice of what is seen to be done under the name of the Church.

Which reminds me of a quote...
Don't pray in my school and I won't think in your church.

I wonder if they would eject rational thought? I mean, one of those cults excommunicated Galileo while keeping Hitler in the fold.....