– Yoga has nothing to do with religion. There is no god in yoga, says general manager Nina Moseidjord at the yoga center Emijoly in Kristiansand. She reacts to the yoga tricks from pastor Geir Stomnås in Filadelfia Vennesla. The pastor stated on Monday this week to Fædrelandsvennen that “yoga and new religiosity can open the door to spirits that are not of God”. – I think it’s a shame that such myths are spread. Yoga is scientifically recognized as an effective way to improve both physical and mental health, says Moseidjord. Pastor Geir Stomnås in Filadelfia Vennesla has come out strongly against yoga and mindfulness. Now he receives criticism. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news Warns against “evil forces” Vennesla pastor Geir Stomnås has warned against yoga for several years, he tells news. – In several places in the Bible, we are warned against having contact with spiritual powers that are not from the living God. We feel that yoga belongs to what has to do with Hinduism. That’s why we don’t want people to get involved in this, says Stomnås to news. The Pentecostal church is more open to “supernatural phenomena”, says the pastor. – I have met people who have taken part in yoga, and whom I have seen have been tormented by spiritual forces. I have prayed for them, and experienced that they have been set free, says Stomnås. Photo: Private Invites skeptics to try There is nothing mysterious about yoga, points out Moseidjord. – From time to time we encounter questions about this. Then I answer that yoga is about the connection between body, mind and soul. It is a practice that focuses on balance in life. In the yoga classes, breathing techniques, mindfulness and mobility training are at the center. She denies that yoga can lead to being tormented by evil spirits. – With us, the only “door” that opens is the door to a better relationship with yourself. And if skeptics want to try, they are most welcome. Yoga teacher Johanna Winther (TV) at Emijoly in Kristiansand, here with Camilla Nygård, who runs Spiren Café in the same building. Photo: Siv Kristin Sællmann / news – Rart There are not many people in Norway who share the Vennesla pastor’s views on yoga and mindfulness, according to religion researcher Dag Øistein Endsjø. – I don’t think people are frightened by what he says. A pastor in a Pentecostal church has a rather limited ability to convince, beyond his own. Religion researcher Dag Øistein Endsjø at the University of Oslo (UiO). Photo: Hilde Bjørnskau / news The researcher believes that the pastor’s message is about competition between yoga and Christianity because in many ways they do much of the same thing. – They compete to draw people’s attention away from the everyday, which in turn should make everyday life better. If you go to yoga, there is less chance that you also go to the Pentecostal church. The pastor says that the religious researcher may be right about this. – We want to win as many as possible for Jesus. In that sense, we compete with absolutely everyone, because we believe that Jesus is the only way to God, says the pastor to news. Hello! Do you have any tips in this matter? Or other matters you would like to advise on? Feel free to contact me by email 👇🏻 Published 27.11.2024, at 05.29
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– I don’t think people will be frightened by it – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
