We call on Alabama’s Christian leaders to support the voluntary teaching of Yoga in K-12

April 6, 2021

Dear Alabama State Senators,

The apparent resistance by some conservative Christians in Alabama to lifting the state’s 28-year old ban on the teaching of yoga in schools is a little surprising, given the near universal acceptance of the technique as a secular activity, despite its roots in Hinduism. We were shocked to learn that the objection appears to come from a perceived threat to Christian values and of ‘religious conversions’ to Hinduism. This objection is especially painful to us as people of the Hindu faith, who are taught to accept and embrace the best of other faiths, without feeling insecure or threatened of our own. Also, unlike Christianity and other faiths, proselytizing is not at the core of the Hindu faith.

Yoga is an Indian tradition and no doubt it has its origin in Hinduism. While its core philosophy of Sankhya is not that prevalent in India, its practises have informed many schools of Hinduism, as well as Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Taoism, Shinto, and Christianity around the world. The practice has been proven to be extremely effective in helping people – almost 25 years of National Institute of Health funded research shows that in every community that one can imagine, yoga helps people with physical, emotional and mental health. And there is no finding whatsoever that it hurts any tradition that engages with it or that it leads to religious conversions. (see https://tinyurl.com/53tmz86k)

We can sympathize that in the 1990s some ideas may have seemed threatening, and we are keen to better understand the concerns of some Christian leaders in Alabama and to respond to them as best as we can. One opponent to the measure, Christian activist Eric Johnston, has been quoted as saying that yoga is an “entirely different thing” from normal stretching because it is “an exercise of the Hindu religion.” The fact of the matter is that yoga is practiced in a wide variety of settings all over the world, from including Hindu chants at one end of the spectrum to completely secular settings at the other end.

As Hindus, we encourage all Christians to be true to their traditions, to celebrate freely and well – and to enjoy the bounty that the world offers. In our view, Christians secure in their faith should have no problems engaging with the other traditions of the world in a spirit of mutual grace and sharing.

We urge the Alabama Senate to support Rep. Gray and Senator Whatley in permitting voluntary yoga classes in K-12 schools. Healthy bodies and minds that start young will be invaluable to Alabama’s health and well being in the future – and will lead to better and happier Christians if that is the path they choose.

‘Namaste’ is a universal greeting among Hindus and many non-Hindus in India (“Greetings to you”), and is no more a religious greeting than “Osu” is in Karate classes.

Grace and Peace to all the people of Alabama.

Best Regards,

Punya Upadhyaya and Raju Rajagopal

Co-founders, Hindus for Human Rights (.org)