Austrian primary school bans yoga for religious reasons

[Viking]

http://www.thelocal.at/20141008/austrian-primary-school-bans-yoga

How provincial. Instead of taking their kid out of class, let's ruin it for everyone!

Austrian primary school bans yoga
District school inspector Helga Thomann said that in principle she thought children's yoga was a good idea but said that "anything from the Far East that touches on the esoteric has no place in schools".

She said that drawing and painting Tibetan mandalas had also led to protests from parents.

Historically yoga was an ancient spiritual practice with connections to Hinduism and Buddhism, but there are many different forms of yoga, some of which are more overtly religious than others.

Well the question is, was the religious claptrap being taught as part of the stretching exercises?

I don't really think that's the question.

Since the objection to Yoga is religious it is the question. That's what decides if the objection is valid or not.

[Valmy]

Does anybody really know what sort of the religious claptrap applies to Yoga?  It is Hinduism which is about as intelligible and well known as ancient cuneiform to westerners.  Usually it is like 'breathe because Indians call it the life force' well alright then better not stop breathing.  As far as religious principles go I don't think that is one to damaging to secularism to pass on.

[CountDeMoney]

This being Austria, I bet they can find another way of teaching concentration to kids. Perhaps it would make sense to even organise a camp for that purpose. 

  Good one, counselor

[DontSayBanana]

I, too, am saddened by missing out when Mart dropped that zinger.  If we still did POTM, that'd certainly be worth a nomination.

[Admiral Yi]

Rootin' for the fag?  What's a-matter with you people?

[Martinus]

Rootin' for the fag?  What's a-matter with you people?

[Martinus]

Does anybody really know what sort of the religious claptrap applies to Yoga?  It is Hinduism which is about as intelligible and well known as ancient cuneiform to westerners.  Usually it is like 'breathe because Indians call it the life force' well alright then better not stop breathing.  As far as religious principles go I don't think that is one to damaging to secularism to pass on.

Well, I guess there is a bit of talk about "releasing your energy" and "bowing to your inner teacher" and the like. Plus I know that fundamentalist Catholics really get their panties in the bunch about yoga. Priests in Poland say it leads to demonic possession - which is obviously bullshit - I practice yoga and I am fine. 

Edit: But seriously, the opposition (almost certainly) does not come from secularists but from the catholic church who is losing members rapidly in Europe and fears anything that infringes on their imagined turf, be it yoga or Harry Potter vibrating wands.

[DontSayBanana]

Rootin' for the fag?  What's a-matter with you people?

Don't hate the player; hate the game.

[Viking]

Does anybody really know what sort of the religious claptrap applies to Yoga?  It is Hinduism which is about as intelligible and well known as ancient cuneiform to westerners.  Usually it is like 'breathe because Indians call it the life force' well alright then better not stop breathing.  As far as religious principles go I don't think that is one to damaging to secularism to pass on.

Well this is the poster child for why both the religious and secular should make sure that public services should be secular.