Religion
Related: About this forumYoga lawsuit will head to court in May
Two months ago, the Escondido-based National Center for Law and Policy filed a civil rights lawsuit seeking an injunction against the EUSD (Encinitas Union School District) yoga program on the grounds that it violates the establishment clause, or whats more commonly known as separation of church and state.
I wouldnt have filed this lawsuit if I didnt think we would win, said Broyles, who represents the law center.
As proof of the religious nature of yoga, Broyles legal complaint says that parents witnessed students in the district practicing sun salutations a series of yoga moves and other poses. The complaint asserts the poses are worshipful.
http://thecoastnews.com/2013/04/yoga-lawsuit-will-head-to-court-in-may/
rug
(82,333 posts)It is not a secular group such as AU or FFRF advocating for the separation of church and state. It is very much a rightwing political advocacy group wrapped in religious language and catch phrases.
The National Center for Law and Policy engages in constitutional litigation in state and federal courts. The National Center is also active in the areas of public policy and education.
Our focus is in the following areas:
Rights of Students
Rights of Churches
Rights in the Work Place
Religious Land Use
Rights of Marriage and Family
Rights of Expression in the Public Square
Right of Equal Access for Individuals and Groups
Rights of the Unborn/Protection of Innocent Life
http://www.nclplaw.org/
struggle4progress
(118,338 posts)may indeed couple the physical exercise with various metaphysical beliefs, some of which may reflect old religious roots of yoga and some of which may be new age grafts onto the practice
But yoga can certainly be practiced simply as exercise, and those whose beliefs are offended are entitled to opt out, just as Jehovah's witnesses are entitled to opt out of the Pledge
So I can't see a problem -- unless, of course, EUSD yoga teachers are actively promoting some metaphysics with the exercise, in which case it might become a Church-State separation issue warranting an injunction
westerebus
(2,976 posts)Normally you would end the class with this pose before the instructor gives everybody a Namaste salutation and dismisses the class.
I know about a dozen instructors, none of whom are religious. Quite the contrary, even the opening meditation is simply to sit quietly with your eyes close and put the concerns of the day off your mat.
True, my classes are not in a school setting. Although, the number of folks that practice are for the most part church going and way more red than blue. No body has a problem that I've heard of.
As we say here in Virginia: that dog won't hunt.