A Palestinian Authority university lecturer is the latest PA academic to rewrite history and deny Jewish history in Jerusalem – in particular, the Jewish people’s connection to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) of the Jewish Temple. Shamekh Alawneh, a lecturer in modern history at Al-Quds Open University, says the Jews invented the connection to the Wall for political purposes, to convince European Jews and Zionists to come to “Palestine.” “It has no historical roots,” he said on a television program called Jerusalem – History and Culture. “This is political terminology to win the hearts and the support of the Zionists in Europe, so they would emigrate and come to Palestine. Nothing more!” The show’s interviewer also refers to the “Judaization” of Jerusalem, and to Jewish plots to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Denying Jewish history in Jerusalem and the existence of the Jewish Temple is a central component of PA political ideology. This denial started with Yasser Arafat and continues to be reiterated by academics, politicians and religious leaders. PA leaders systematically distort the ancient history of Jerusalem, ignoring the vast historical documentation and thousands of archeological finds related to Jewish history that have been found in Jerusalem.
A Palestinian Authority university lecturer is the latest PA academic to rewrite history and deny Jewish history in Jerusalem – in particular, the Jewish people’s connection to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) of the Jewish Temple. Shamekh Alawneh, a lecturer in modern history at Al-Quds Open University, says the Jews invented the connection to the [...]
Does the “Church” have too much influence in politics today? Specifically the current US elections?
Does the “Church” have too much influence in politics today? Specifically the current US elections?
When you teach Hatha Yoga, you are asked many questions. Although public awareness of Yoga, and its teachings, has increased, many people are just discovering some of the benefits within the many styles of Yoga. Therefore, you have to be prepared for the unexpected questions that arise about the mysteries of Yoga. Once in a [...]
When you teach Hatha Yoga, you are asked many questions. Although public awareness of Yoga, and its teachings, has increased, many people are just discovering some of the benefits within the many styles of Yoga. Therefore, you have to be prepared for the unexpected questions that arise about the mysteries of Yoga.
Once in a while, the question of religion does come up. Many times, Yoga teachers are asked if they are a Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist. To the public’s amazement, many Yoga teachers come from all of the major religions in the world. There is no single religion that all Yoga teachers participate in.
How can this be? Some Gurus preach that Yoga should be founded within a particular religion. Some Yoga teachers read the Rig Veda, Bhagavad Gita, and speak Sanskrit words, so they must be covertly teaching Hinduism, or some other religion, right? Wrong – some Yoga teachers do teach religion in their classes, and some do not.
If your Yoga teacher has the Vedas, Torah, New Testament, Holy Quran, and the Gnostic Gospels, in his or her library, what does that mean? It means that your Yoga teacher likes to read, study, and does not have a closed mind. That is all it means, unless your Yoga teacher preaches religion as part of his or her practice.
If a Yoga teacher does preach religion within Yoga classes, this should be easy enough to see and hear. In Yoga studios that reside in the Americas and Europe, this may not be what most Hatha Yoga students are seeking. Each student has the right to leave, but the public should be made aware that a Yoga studio is conducting religious classes.
Many of these potential Yoga students are not seeking religious conversion, religious instruction, and live in a culture with a strict separation of religion from government. This means that religion in the West is often compartmentalized.
For example: If a concerned doctor recommends Yoga to a patient with back problems – the patient is not being referred to a Yoga studio for religious instruction.
Therefore, if you teach a form of religious Yoga in the West, be honest about it. Most students, from western cultures, are in Hatha Yoga classes for the physical and mental aspects.
If you want to teach Yoga as spiritual health, get the proper training first, and give the public “fair warning.” Teaching good virtues is one thing, but teaching religion to your Yoga students is quite another. This is the “line in the sand” that some Yoga teachers should never forget.
The answers to spiritual enlightenment are within all religions, but it is up to Yoga students to pursue their own religion and find the answers to their spiritual health. There is no single “man made path” to spiritual health, enlightenment, or union. This is a myth that, as a species, we never seem to learn.
Throughout our history, Holy wars are always justified by both sides. Of course, the other side is always less human, less understanding, evil, and ignorant of the true path. “The world would be a better pace without the unbelievers;” is always a good battle cry.
Religion is too volatile a subject to discuss within a multi-cultural Hatha Yoga class. Therefore, if you are going to mix any religion with Yoga practice, it should be taught within a sectarian atmosphere.
© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
How did Christianity come to be popularly viewed as a “Western religion” as opposed to “Asian religions” such as Hinduism and Buddhism? Peter Phan of Georgetown University presents an alternative vision of Christianity as a global “catholic” religion and examines several historical movements in support of “World Christianity.” Series: “Humanitas” [5/2007] [Humanities] [Show ID: 12482]
How did Christianity come to be popularly viewed as a “Western religion” as opposed to “Asian religions” such as Hinduism and Buddhism? Peter Phan of Georgetown University presents an alternative vision of Christianity as a global “catholic” religion and examines several historical movements in support of “World Christianity.” Series: “Humanitas” [5/2007] [Humanities] [Show ID: 12482]
