Friday, April 3, 2015

Namaste On!

4th District Court of Appeals rules yoga OK in schools.

Full ruling here.
For many in this country, the practice of yoga is an entirely secular experience undertaken for reasons such as increasing physical flexibility, decreasing pain, and reducing stress. For others, the practice of yoga is a religious ritual, undertaken for spiritual purposes. In this case, we are required to determine whether a school district's institution of a yoga program as a component of its physical education curriculum constitutes an impermissible establishment of religion in violation of the California Constitution.

After a careful review of the extensive evidence presented in the trial court concerning the nature of the particular yoga program at issue in this case, we conclude that the program is secular in purpose, does not have the primary effect of advancing or inhibiting religion, and does not excessively entangle the school district in religion. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court properly determined that the district's yoga program does not violate our state constitution.

40 comments:

  1. Put that pose in your pipe and smoke it, yoga haters!

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  2. Yoga haters, bunch of downward dogs!

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  3. This was a just decision, but if anyone thinks the so called christians who objected the strongest will stop their pursuit to deprive the rest of students from this proven valuable exercise, just wait for the next round to come along. I would like to think they have it in them to acquiesce but as we all know, fundamentalist thinking knows no bounds.

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    1. 7:35

      Christians are today being slaughtered, beheaded, raped, sold into slavery and crucified - today- yes, that is happening.

      You appear to be intolerant of the views of others. As the court rightly noted the act of stretching and breathing itself can be considered and defined as exercise. The act of sun saluations and worship is religious. Perhaps you lack mental capacity to decipher the difference. Should not parents be able to decide for themselves what activities they want their children to participate in? Or would you have the state run the family, rather than the parents?

      Your bullying against Christians on such a clear disticintion between the difference of exercise and religion is similar to the logic of intolerance that would have one believe that marriage between a man and a woman - that can produce natural off-spring from that marriage - is somehow equal to the marriage between two men, or two women - who can not produce off-spring naturally. Simply stated they are two different things. That does not mean one is better than the other, only that they are not equal. Think of it as buying Plan 3 C at Encinitas Ranch, or buying Plan 3 C reversed- see, they are different. Yet you are intolerant of those with a different view.

      It is unfortunate you are filled with such hate. I wish you well in finding a solution. Perhaps some day you can join the rest of us and live in tolerance of the views of others.

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    2. Not a very christian response, and I mean that seriously. The Christianity I was taught was all about love and acceptance. The yoga taught in our schools has nothing to do with attacking Christianity, not today, not tomorrow, not ever. It's a successful program that has helped out kids with exercise, concentration and more.

      Objecting to Yoga in our schools isn't something that the Christianity I was raised with would be interested in. This is more of a dogmatic, close-minded thinking that has evolved in our country the last 35 years.

      I'm not touching on the other subject mentioned, but I will say your time is best spend elsewhere. We have enough to cover in schools today with the learning gap without worrying about yoga. It's simply a waste of time and resources...

      -MGJ

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  4. The inquisition begins again…. speed the word and decimate all other beliefs.

    Jeeze….history always repeats itself. Always.

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    1. 9:14

      Christians are being slaughtered around the world- today. Who is seeking to decimate the beliefs of others? Islam - that is again burning churches and destroying societies? The intolerant global bullies who harrass and intimidate those who think differently or hold different beliefs? Which are you?

      When Mohammed returned from the Desert after writing the Koran he began forcing those with opposing views to convert to his way of thinking or be beheaded - he called those would not agree with him infidels.

      His cult of intolerance and hate then ran thru the middle east, swept around the horn of Africa and into Europe. His army butchered, raped and beheaded those who did not agree, armies in his name destroyed churches and societies

      To defend themselves Charlamagne gathered a force to stop the globalizization of the Cult of death of Mohammad. They beat the marauding Islamic Jihadist back to the middle east.

      Today the Islamic cult of hate and brtuality is again savagely forcing the Islamicification of societies around the globe.

      yes, history does repeat itself.

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    2. This about Yoga, not proving your hatred of Muslims.

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    3. 1:27 who wrote anything about hating muslims? no body. THe cult of Islam is based on the writings of a mad man who wrote a book and then forced others to submit to him or be beheaded, That is factual.

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  5. Christianity does not have a great track record itself and has acted no better than any other group that thinks it has the exclusive on divine direction and intention.

    If yoga movement helps calm and focus kids while building balance and strength, that's a good thing. Who among you who oppose yoga for children support drugging them to improve attention span and behavior? Too many, I suspect.

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    1. 2:55-

      You are wrong. There is one cult of hate beheading those who do not agree with there beliefs- it is called Islam

      Christianity has saved millions of people from poverty, due to the benevolence, tolerance, love and charity of their members- that is a great track record - giving even to those who think and believe differently. Because you choose to ignore it don't expext logical common sense humans for join you

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    2. Crusades ring a bell?

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    3. the medieval Islamic threat is not

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  6. All of this over yoga? The kids in my day grew up fine with regular old exercise, baseball, softball, volley ball, sprinting, running, football, riding our bikes and outside playing in the yard with our friends. We all turned out fine even without yoga.

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  7. 10:12 am Intolerance indeed! This program was designed to eliminate any religious connotations from the get go. Was that good enough for these grandparents? Of course not. Their blinded by the light fundamentalism would not permit such clarity. That these same grandparents picketed with signs outside of this school served only to show their ignorance and intolerance. Their intention to deprive of rest of the students from such a beneficial and healthy program has only served to show their inability to realize the position they claim has no merit as the courts have again supported. Will they now stop? Don't bet on it. Fundamentalist followers have no ability to learn from their past. I hope any future law cases will now be seen as malicious prosecution or persecution and will be disregarded and made to pay any and all court costs associated with any continuance of these actions.

    I hope that they can now see this program for what it is. That they will, not likely.

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    1. Yoga can be good. It does have spiritual connections and associations. Yoga includes more than exercise, and so does the Yoga program now offered through EUSD.

      Superintendent Tim Baird's handling of the Yoga program created a great deal of controversy. He should have allowed students to opt in, rather than requiring them to opt out, through parents who were informed only after the new program had already been initiated.

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  8. Yeah, but why not add yoga to the mix? It has worked well, just let it go and concentrate on figuring out how you're going to pay for you kid's college...

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    1. I guarantee that yoga will not get you into college. These kids need more time studying, learning the basics and getting a better education. It seems all other activities are taking top priority over the important things.

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    2. Getting your kids into college is your responsibility as a parent. You can't blame it on Yoga, or anything else...

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  9. So 9:26pm , an exercise that increases concentration, focus, and attention has no value for all the years of studying that is to come for these primary school students as they move through the grades and become young adults heading for higher educational learning?

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  10. What's frustrating about this whole topic is the hypocrisy of the Fundamentalist Christians. The same people who wanted prayer in school, copies of the ten commandments posted in schools, are the ones objecting to yoga. These are not left wing secularists or atheists, who may have an intellectual case on where you draw the line. Make no mistake, they want the US to be considered/declared a Christian country, and that it is not, is their real problem. The social conservatives have lost the culture war. Ironically, their natural allies may be conservative Muslims.

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    1. The Culture wars are a bogus "threat" that just distracts us from our real issues of jobs, inflation, entitlements and lack of sustainability in our local government. Yoga good, ignorance bad, everyone back in class. People can be religious fundamentalists and do whatever they want, but when you waste time and resources taking on yoga, you deserve some derision...

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    2. 8:47

      95% of the framework of the US Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights were extracted from biblical teachings and judeo-christian values, principles, charity and respect and tolerance of others taught in the bible.

      but don't let a few facts along with your ignorance and intolerance keep you from hating America

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    3. 9:15 - America, love it or leave it - that what you think we're about?

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    4. The remaining 5 percent was dumb luck

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    5. Christians are not persecuted in the United States, California, Encinitas, or the Encinitas Union School District. Stop playing the martyr card. Christians are a majority of the general population, and elected positions, including a world record undefeated win streak of 44 consecutive U.S. presidents.

      As any majority group, many Christians feel entitled to impose their theology on our civil legal institutions. Thankfully, the framers and courts usually don't let that happen.

      Yoga isn't a religion. The courts are getting it right. This case was a business deal. The lead plaintiff is a Christian motivational speaker. The case brought wide publicity and Fox News spots which I'm sure drummed up plenty of business win or lose.

      Looking forward to inventing a non-religious streching exercise loosely based on tenets of Spaghetti Monsterism. (Tight pirate pants, anyone?) Ramen.

      I have to go. The beer volcano is erupting again.

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    6. 9:15- Oddly enough, Christian communities in the U.S. have been ignoring the constitution since its inception. In the 60's my best friends parents were not allowed in the P.T.A. in an Idaho town because they weren't Mormon. If you want to know what real good ole country Christian respect and tolerance feels like, move to rural Alabama and let it be known you are Jewish or Catholic.
      I subscribe to no gods or masters yet somehow I have a moral compass, I believe in helping my brothers and sisters, and I take personal responsibility for my actions. As far as hating America, I don't hate America. I'm just fed up with ignorant people who insist that our history be whitewashed. Do you know who the most decorated war hero in the history of the U.S. is?Look it up and please read his essay "War is a Racket" and then tell me why we are so "exceptional".

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    7. 11:55

      Unable to debate the truth you seem to take joy in slandering others-

      The US Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the US Bill of rights are all founded on the Judeo-Christian values and principles of god, the teachings for Jesus Christ, the lessons of the bible, self-reliance, charity, tolerance and free will-

      That these facts don't fit your world view and you choose to ignore them is your choice- free will, see how it works?

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    8. 11:55 sounds highly intelligent and objective to me. As a Jew, I've always found this claim of "Judeo-Christian" values to be a complete joke. I've lived in the heartland/Bible belt and trust me, there was nothing Christian about the anti-Semitic comments I heard all around me. Most fellow Jews I know do not identify with Christians as in it together, representing some kind of moral majority.

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    9. "The US Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the US Bill of rights are all founded on the Judeo-Christian values and principles of god, the teachings for Jesus Christ, the lessons of the bible,"

      You are welcome to your beliefs, no matter how silly and wrong.

      I simply disagree with your (ahem) version of history. More importantly, the judiciary branch we created to settle disputes about the meaning of our founding documents also consistently disagrees with you.

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    10. You exemplify the pushing of intolerant Christianity, 4:09. Everyone should hold to your worldview or be labeled "silly and wrong." You are your own argument for Christianity as the only "right" way.

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    11. 4:17, huh?

      I think you misread the thread.

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    12. Ah, the old hating America canard. Thank god that one's still out there. Again, this issue is not about the persecution of christians, it's about doing yoga, keeping kids fit and focused. If your kids don't like it, then get a waiver. Don't spoil the game for everyone else. End of story....

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  11. You can worship stones, but don't throw them at me.

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  12. Will Ya'll lighten up? Life is short!..........fer chrissakes!! lol

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  13. 10:47am today, exactly. Those grandparents had the option to use a waiver to excuse their grandchild. Was that good enough for them? No. They insisted upon trying to deprive the rest of the schools students from having access to the program. Shameful. I feel for that grandchild and the years ahead that this child will have to put up with until he is old enough and has had enough and tells them where they can stick their fundamentalist viewpoint. That day cannot come too soon. Freedom of religion is a two way street but not for these folks who just had to protest outside of the school and drove two court cases to an ultimately just ruling. I hope they can now see the light and excuse their grandchild from the class if they still feel it is such a threat to their chosen belief system. This does make one wonder just how strong are their beliefs if they are so threatened by a simple yoga class. Have they ever attended this class themselves to see what it is like? Not likely.

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  14. Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion--several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn't straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest best to smooth his brother's path to happiness and heaven....The higher animals have no religion. And we are told that they are going to be left out in the Hereafter. I wonder why? It seems questionable taste.
    — Mark Twain

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  15. "Remember kids, if you don't sin, then Jesus died for nothing."

    @rickygervais

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