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About sophrology ????

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Spear, Oct 14, 2009.

  1. Spear

    Spear New Member

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    Hi !

    Some time ago, i was very stressed and anxious by some things in my life (a bunch of young guys were playing football against my wall, and the noise drove me crazy, we told them, but they kept coming back, and the police doesn't intervene).

    I decided to do something about relaxing myself more, because time after time, my mind was focused on that. I decided to do breath exercices and to pray about that. The guys left, each time in the 10 minutes after i prayed (Thank you Lord !).

    While i was reasearching things about relaxation, i found out articles about sophrology. It seems to be an interested technical method to relax, but i found manu pros and cons on the web, about the fact it was, or not, dangerous for christian people.

    Does anyone here have an opinion about that ?

    Is it something we could practice ? Is it dangerous ?
     
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Very problematic.

    I prefer the Philippians 4:5-8 method
     
  3. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Do the exercises and relaxation techniques and ignore the Eastern philosophy.
     
  4. DrRandyGrace

    DrRandyGrace New Member

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    I think that could be bad advice, Crabby.
     
  5. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Sounds like an issue of chewing on the meat and spitting out the bones.

    I suggest treating it the same as you would yoga. Many Christians do yoga at their local fitness center, and aren't compromising their faith at all. Same with feng shui. Lots of Christians decorate their homes with feng shui principles, and aren't compromising their faith.

    While the verse wasn't necessarily intended for this purpose, a little bit of "let each be convinced in his own mind" is prudent here.
     
  6. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I would definitely not do this. Christians can sometimes tend to have a pragmatic approach -- if it works, it's okay. But many occult methods and methods from non-Christian religions seem to work; however, there is always a hidden cost.

    Having been involved in Eastern meditation for many years (about 15 yrs) prior to becoming a Christian, I know the effects of certain techniques done over a period of time.

    No matter how innocuous this sounds, I advise against it.

    Just as I suspected -- it's totally New Age. Stay away.

    Besides, are we not to turn to the Lord when worried or anxious? I turn to prayer and the Psalms - the Lord has not let me down yet.
     
    #6 Marcia, Oct 14, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 14, 2009
  7. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I have a lot to say on the yoga, but let me address the Feng Shui. Feng Shui is not a decorating technique! It is a total system of occult divination; it cannot be done without belief in chi and using divinatory methods. In fact, the goal of Feng Shui is to attract "good chi" and deflect "bad chil."

    I researched this and have written a published article on it, as well as having lectured on it, and been interviewed on the radio about it. Christians should avoid Feng Shui due to God's prohibition on occult divination.

    Two articles of mine on Feng Shui:
    On my website
    http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_FengShui1.html

    A slightly different article that was published:
    http://www.equip.org/articles/feng-shui-decorating
     
  8. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    What puzzles me is how quickly and easily people turn to pagan ideas, and yet complicate Christianity beyond comprehension.

    What is that song, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.......................In the light of His glory and grace."


    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #8 Jim1999, Oct 14, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 14, 2009
  9. JMSR

    JMSR New Member

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    of time? I thought it was of earth. I can't remember now.
     
  10. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I'm sure you do. Your past writings indicate you're rather preoccupied with all things new age.
    My wife does yoga twice a week. It's quite good for muscle tone.
    [Crude remarks edited out]
    Poster should know better.
     
    #10 Johnv, Oct 14, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 15, 2009
  11. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    :laugh: There you go - see, you think Feng Shui is about clearing clutter. It isn't. That is how it's been marketed.

    So don't mess up your house - your wife might not be happy!
     
  12. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    Is focusing one self bad? I mean this in the context of this discussion. I am no longer in Martial Arts however there seems to be practicle consideration in using breathing techniques and clearing ones mind of "cow webs" and focusing. Is this bad? Especially, if you ignore Ying Yang, or In Yo type philosophies? I look at it like music. In the 1960's the big issue was should Christians listen to contemporary music because it resembled (musically not lyricly) "rock"? However, Christians were uplifted by this type of music and now its commonly accepted. Now when God made the world it was good. Sin entered the world but the fundalmental state of the world was that it is good though it is tainted the goodness is still there. Man being creative and intelligent can certainly see contextions. So could the process of focusing oneself be ok but used in a bad way bad? Like water. Water can be nurishing. Misuse can get you killed. So instead of the philosphical bad aspects take the good natural aspects and use it? Must we run from everything that was used badly at one time. Because if we did that there would be nothing we could do.
     
  13. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I didn's say it was or wasn't. I said lots of Christians decorate their homes with feng shui principles, and aren't compromising their faith.

    One of the issues I have with your criticisms is that you refuse to discern between using principles of a thing, and using the thing itself. You say we can't use principles of feng shui, because feng shui is bad. We can't incorporate yoga techniques into excercise, because yoga is bad. We can't incorporate aspects of emergent worship, because the empergent movement is bad. We can't do karate or kung fu, because it's occultic.

    I think you need to work on learning discernment, and let everyone else be be convinced in his own mind, rather than yours.
     
  14. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    JohnV, how much do you know about feng shui? Do you know what the principles are? The principles themselves come from Taoism, and are based on the occult and belief in chi. I am guessing you know little or nothing about what Feng Shui is.

    I have been involved with some of these things for over 30 yrs, years that include before being a Christian and after in ministry. I speak publicly on them and have to have reasons to back up what I say. I am challenged all the time and have to be able to defend what I say. I am always re-thinking and exploring if I think I am wrong or being off-balance. I am accountable to my churches, mission board, and many supporters. I do not say any of this lightly.

    Please check out my articles before you imply I am being too harsh or rigid. I have good reasons and information to base my comments on.

    I am not criticizing - I am giving information.
     
  15. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    We are to look at things through the filter of God's word. Some things are inherently evil and come from false religions. These practices honor other gods and beliefs contrary to the true God. Such is the nature of what I speak of here.
     
  16. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    I think I will go walk my labyrinth and meditate on the OP...

     
  17. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I'm not going to get into a sparring match to see who knows more about the other. Suffice it to say I know I'm not engaging in the occult when using the principles of feng shui to decorate or design, I know my wife isn't engaging in the occult when she attends yoga, and I know my son isn't engaging in the occult when I drop him off at Karate class.
    Your website is suspect. You claim that the "Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners" was setup by the City of Atlanta. You and I both know that's false. The ABAE is a not-for-profit organization, and has nothing to do with the City of Atlanta.

    [Personal attack edited out]
     
    #17 Johnv, Oct 14, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 15, 2009
  18. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    If you are truly using the principles of Feng Shui, then you are using occult principles, JohnV. The principles of Feng Shui are to deflect "bad" chi and attract "good" chi as well as to balance yin and yang.


    What!!! I honestly can't believe you are accusing me of lying. Yes, the Metropolitan Atlant Board of Astrology Examiners was set up by city councilman Wyche Fowler and an astrologer, before I came onto the scene. How can you say that? I don't know what the ABAE is. I am talking about the Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners (which may or may not exist anymore - I don't know). The Metropolitan Astrological Society was not set up by the city.

    I took a 7 hour exam in a room at City Hall in Atlanta, Ga, in 1983. When I was chairperson of this Board, the exam was still being given that way.

    My record has been checked thoroughly by many people - the producers of "Unshackled," the producers of Dr. D. James Kennedy's TV program, and others. Furthermore, I have a copy of an article in a 1988 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of an interview of myself when I was President of this Board.

    Also, John Ankerberg and John Weldon write about the Board of Astrology Examiners in Atlanta in their book on astrology (now out of print). This book came out before I was a Christian but I read it later. They made a mistake saying the testing was for all of Georgia. I wrote them about this and when I met John Weldon, I told him the licensing was only for the city of Atlanta (within city limits).


    The occult is part of what my ministry addresses.

    You owe me an apology for accusing me of giving false information.
     
    #18 Marcia, Oct 14, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 14, 2009
  19. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Marcia not everyone sees you as a liar. Some resort to these tactics when they do not like the information. This was quite the ad hominem. Sorry you had to endure that.
     
  20. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    http://www.examiner.com/x-2766-Atla...-City-of-Atlanta-Board-of-Astrology-Exaniners
     
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