Posts Tagged ‘Taoism’

Why Tai Chi is Not For Me

Posted in American culture, Christianity, Spirituality, tagged , , , , , , on January 7, 2015| 6 Comments »

Some time ago I wrote a post called “Should Christian’s do Tai Chi?”  In that post I gave several links to  sites that I researched.   They are informative and will tell you a lot about what Tai Chi is and it’s dangers.

What is Chi?

“Chi is believed to be the binding life force in the universe, existing both externally and internally, MB900324192moving through invisible channels in the body called meridians. Taoism teaches that strengthening and reinforcing one’s inner chi will bring good health and long life as well as spiritual benefits. Certain breathing techniques, meditations, and bodily movements are taught to cultivate and enhance the chi. This belief is the basis of Tai Chi. There is no supreme God or Creator in Taoism; all originated from the Tao, which is an impersonal principle or source of creation.” – source Gotquestions.org

So, they don’t believe in One God as Christians do.  We believe that God created the universe and everything in it.  We do not believe we can manipulate God or his creation.  I don’t believe in the chi energy force and that it needs to be balanced in your body in order for us to be healthy.  You see, I am a born-again believer and I have the Holy Spirit living in me. He is my power.

Today there are many groups especially for the older population that are teaching Tai Chi for better balance.  As we get older many people do have problems with balance and walking, and some have found that this helps.  But, if this is a religion should we actually participate in it if we are Christians?  I have an idea. Why not just do your own exercise program?  There are many really good stretching and movement exercises that one can do without practicing Eastern Religions.  Yes, Tai Chi is a belief system or religion.

Participation in a False Religion

If you were to go to a church and you were not a Christian and you participated in the Lord’s Supper, or  as some call it Communion, then you are practicing that religion whether you know it or not.  If you were not Catholic, but were to attend their church and you bow down to the statue of Mary, you are practicing that religion.  You are actively joining in with the others.  So, if you were to join a Tai Chi class where they are doing their movements according to that religion you are actually unknowingly practicing that religion.  God does not want us to do that!

tai chiRemember, according to the Bible when the people came out of Egypt and settled into other lands God told them not to practice those pagan religions?  But, guess what?  They rebelled against God and did it anyway. They thought it was harmless.  God judged them eventually for that.

Jdg 2:19 But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways.

2Ch 24:18 They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols; so wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guilt.

Do you realize that God disciplines His children? When we step out of line if we do not repent He may allow something to come into our lives to wake us up.   Just as a parent punishes their child for disobedience; God loves us so much that he does the same.

Heb 12:7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

Rev 3:19 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

Hidden Dangers

There are hidden danger in participating in Tai Chi classes.  The possibility that one would open themselves up to demon influence is real.  When a person empties their mind and meditates in that way they are open to the evil spiritual world.  Doing Tai Chi could be an avenue into the occult for some people especially if they are not Christians.  There is a dark side.  God doesn’t want us to have anything to do with the evil spirit world.

“When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. “For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you.
(Deu 18:9-12)

An Example to Unbelievers and New Christians

More importantly, what about the example I am setting for others?  That is the question that comes to my mind.  I am an ambassador for Jesus Christ.  I try to represent Him in all that I do.  There may be an unbeliever or new Christian who doesn’t understand these things, and if they see me doing Tai Chi they might say, “Hey, Bonnie is doing Tai Chi and she is a Christian, so it must be okay if I do it.” That person may end up in big trouble because of my actions.  I take that seriously!  In fact, they might not take the class I’m taking, but another one where the leader goes deeper into the practice, and they might be lead down the wrong road.

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.
(1Co 10:23-24)

We need to be careful what we do in public that might cause a weaker brother to fall.

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.
(1Co 8:9-13) (Emphasis mine)

Those are serious words and I do take them to heart that is why I will not participate in Tai Chi in any form.

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Should Christian’s do Tai Chi?

Posted in Christianity, Culture, Religion, tagged , , , , , , on September 22, 2012| 75 Comments »

As we walk with the Lord, every day we are faced with decisions about which direction to take.  Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to join with my friends in a Tai Chi class for seniors.  It’s proponents claim it to be beneficial for good balance and the prevention of falls.  This all sounds innocuous enough. Right?  But is it?

At first I wanted to join my peers and be a part of this group, but something nagged at my mind.  I believe the Holy Spirit made me uncomfortable with the idea, so I decided to look into what Tai Chi really is.  I needed to make a decision based on more than just what the pretty flier told me and the enthusiasm of my friends.  So, I did some research which I will share with you.

What is Tai Chi?

“Tai Chi is an eastern religious practice that comes out of Taoism. Taoism is an ancient tradition of philosophy and religious belief that is deeply rooted in Chinese customs and worldview.  Taoist ideas have become popular throughout the world through Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, and various martial arts.”    (source) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/

From: GotQuestions.org

Question: “What is the Christian view of Tai Chi (TaiChi)?”


Answer: Tai Chi is more specifically called Tai Chi Chuan, which can be translated as “supreme ultimate force.” Tai Chi is a martial art, though it’s often called a “moving meditation” since the movements are done slowly and deliberately, and it is taught more as a meditative and health-enhancing practice than as a martial art. Though its origins are unclear, the foundation of Tai Chi is the Taoist belief in a universal energy called chi (also spelled qi or ki depending on the language of origin). Chi is believed to be the binding life force in the universe, existing both externally and internally, moving through invisible channels in the body called meridians.

Taoism teaches that strengthening and reinforcing one’s inner chi will bring good health and long life as well as spiritual benefits. Certain breathing techniques, meditations, and bodily movements are taught to cultivate and enhance the chi. This belief is the basis of Tai Chi. There is no supreme God or Creator in Taoism; all originated from the Tao, which is an impersonal principle or source of creation.

Yin Yang Symbol

From the Tao came yin and yang, two forces that manifested in creation. These forces appear opposite but actually are in a state of constant flux, merging with each other. The chi flows more harmoniously when yin and yang are balanced; this balance is brought about through special diets, herbs, exercises, breathing techniques, and bodily movements. Tai Chi, therefore, has a worldview at odds with the Christian worldview. Tai Chi is based on a Taoist spiritual view of the body and the chi, and how to enhance the chi, a view incompatible with how the Bible tells us we were made—in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

Jesus Christ created and holds the world together, not the Tao or an invisible force called chi: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). Doing Tai Chi, even for physical purposes, is paying homage to a spiritual belief system at odds with God’s Word.  (source) http://www.gotquestions.org/Tai-Chi-Christian.html

Can we Divorce the Spiritual Aspect of Tai Chi and use it just as an Exercise?

That question comes up right away when considering Tai Chi.  Here is a quote from Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man, in an article published on his web site:(emphasis added) http://www.equip.org/perspectives/christian-martial-arts-should-christians-practice-the-martial-arts/

CHRISTIAN MARTIAL ARTS- Inseparable from Eastern Religion

“It is clear that some martial art forms cannot be divorced from their Eastern origins. For example, Aikido, Ninjitsu, and Tai Chi depend heavily upon a force called “ki” (or “chi”) which supposedly pervades the whole universe. Since Christians worship one God who created the universe, and do not believe in this universal “chi” force, it becomes difficult — if not impossible — to reconcile these martial art forms with Christianity.”

Since Tai Chi involves Taoism which is Eastern Mysticism it cannot be reconciled with Christianity.  When we do Tai Chi we are to align our energy with the universal energy force or “chi.”  It is like trying to mix oil and water.

What Direction Can I Find From the Bible?

First of all God, in the Bible, tells us not to believe every thing that comes along as being from God.  There are many false teachers in the world today and we need to be very careful what we follow.  It is easy to follow the crowd, but we are to test the spirits to see if they are from God.  Well, I can see from my research that the spirit in Tai Chi is not from God.  It is anti-Christian.  Therefore, I should not get involved.

1 John 4:1 NASB  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

I remember as a child some of my friends would join a certain group, or take part in something, and I wanted to also.  I wanted to be part of the crowd. Sometimes I would ask my mom with the argument that “all my friends are going, why can’t I?”  My mom knew more than myself, (of course, I didn’t think so) and she protected me from doing things that would not be good for me.  It is like that with Christians.  We want to do what everyone else is doing, but God has given us certain guidelines to follow and we need to go to Him and find out if we should do them or not.  I’m thankful for the Bible and the instruction He has given us.  He is the  perfect parent!

Ephesians 5:11 NASB  Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

The devil would like nothing more than to get us sidetracked from our Christian walk.  Do you realize in practicing Tai Chi there is a supernatural aspect to it?  Here is another article called, Yoga wasn’t bad enough. Now we have tai chi, as the dark supernatural continues to invade our exercise time.

1 Peter 5:8 NASB  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Isn’t it true that today there is  much evil that is called good?  And, there is good that is called evil!   Oh, my, we have to be on alert all the time.  How do we measure things? Well, we can either listen to the world or we can listen to God.  Keep your Bible handy!

Isaiah 5:20 NASB  Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Another good scripture comes to mind.   When you put a little bit of yeast into the flour mixture in just a little while the yeast has permeated the whole lump of dough.  That is how we make such good tasting bread.  But, in the spiritual realm a little bit of false teaching will quickly spoil everything else that is said.  We must be very careful and discern the truth.

1 Corinthians 5:6b NASB   Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?

We cannot allow ourselves be destroyed because we don’t know.  Today we have many resources available to us and there is really no excuse for ignorance.  We need to stay in the Word, and search out answers to anything that comes up that we are not sure about.

Hosea 4:6a NASB  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

God tells us what we must do!

2 Corinthians 6:17 NASB  (17)  “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.

We are not to be conformed to the world, but we are to seek to live in a way that is honoring to the Lord.  He calls us to holiness.

1 Peter 1:14-16 NASB  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,  (15)  but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;  (16)  because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (emphasis added)

Here is part of Paul’s prayer for the people in Colosse.  And it is my prayer for you.

Colossians 1:9-10 NASB  For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,  (10)  so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

After doing this research I came to the conclusion that doing Tai Chi is not honoring the my wonderful Savior and Lord.  It is dabbling in the occult and would not be something He would want me involved with.   I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit made me feel uncomfortable and got me to really look into this.  I hope what I’ve learned will be helpful to you.

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