Jahnava Nitai Das 2 Report post Posted July 24, 2003 Croatia Education Ministry Cancels Yoga http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/ ZAGREB, CROATIA, July 17, 2003: Croatia's education ministry has withdrawn its recommendation that teachers take yoga classes because the Roman Catholic Church accused it of trying to sneak Hinduism into schools. Deputy education minister Ivan Vavra said that instead, yoga classes will be organized strictly in teachers' spare time and focused on exercises only, with no students to receive instruction. On Monday, the Croatian Council of Bishops protested that the yoga tuition was an underhand attempt to introduce "Hinduist religious practices dressed up as exercises into Croatian schools." They said it was "unacceptable to introduce into the schools topics that are in contradiction with the generally accepted system of values and the European cultural tradition." The bishops stressed that they did not object to yoga outside the state school system. Vavra acknowledged that the move was triggered by the strong reaction of the church in this country of 4.5 million people, 80 per cent of whom consider themselves Catholics. The Croatia-based group Yoga in Daily Life had qualified along with dozens of other non-governmental groups for state funds for its programme for teachers. It is to receive 50,000 kuna ($8,000) for six weekend trainings starting in September. The idea was to help teachers improve their physical condition and relax, said Vedrana Josipovic, the group's leader. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 25, 2003 this is happening all over europe. the vatican has declared war on "cults" in europe. this includes all hindu religions,and with the cooperation of catholic leaders, this is going to not end soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yashoda_dd 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2003 The fact that Croatia's president's daughters ARE disciples of their yoga leader Mahesvarananda made it different: the president mr. Mesic personally while visiting Inida came to him. Isn't it nice? And while Dalai Lama came visited Croatia, prime minister mr. Racan personally visited him, inspite of many opposition coming from China so in the end the prime minister said "OK, it was a personal visit" so China did not stop it's trading with Croatia. But it was close. Croatia like all ex-comunist countries, 10 years ago had millions of people claiming to be atheists. During comunist regime, Catholic church had a lot of to suffer: priests were killed, nuns where shot, churches plundered and many buildings simply taken by the government. Now there is a proces where Catholic church is gettinig money for all that was taken by force. And in Croatia there were many waves coming from all sides - Maharishi Mahes Yogi to many different churches of Christ- all heading towards people who claimed up to yesterday not to believe anything. And it is still a big hunt. We all know, as Srila Prabhupada said, that yoga without a philosophical conotation, has no meaning. And Christian church - well, they know it all. They know that yoga is here to stay no matter they say and that is why there is a big fear of loosing customers. In Croatia we have a small group of ex-iskcon devotees, spreading a big propaganda against Krishna consciousness because iskcon's way of preaching as they experienced -non mature, materialistic, selfish and a lot of crime going on in the name of religion. And they became "big Christians", going from church to church, preaching they should not enter "new age" sects,specially not Krishna conscioussness. Also in Croatia we have one madman who is gethering disciples, coping ex-Visnupada. This madman clames he can play basketball with Jesus and dance with Lord Krishna. He is speaking about his experiences in Iskcon, also. Actually we should see faults in ourselves - better sadhana (which we can learn from Catholic church - after 2000 years!), better care for each devotee, not tolerating materialistic side of leaders and following Srila Prabhupada. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JD 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2003 Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Jaytah There was a lot of write up on this in Croatian newspapers. However not all of this was correct. I will write some informal follow up on this as I work as a System Administrator in "Croatian Ministry of Education and Sports" so I have some more information on all of this. What was actually withdrawn was an official reccomendation for yoga, however as I understood funds will stay(50,000 kuna ($8,000)) and it will be possible for teachers to practice yoga if they deside so. The Yoga in daily life asked in the first place for 249.977 kuna however as there was no basis in current documents and school programs or plans of the ministry for entering the practicing of yoga in schools, instead what was authorised was only 50000 kuna in 2003 for about 10 seminars for the teachers,( Weekend seminars of about 20 participants). This will happen as I write this seeing the actual documents. This was what was about to happen before the actual protest of the church anyway, so what they got was only withdrawal of the official recomendation. What is interesting however was the reaction in polls in different newspapers and web sites that showed strong support for yoga like in this one on http://www.iskon.hr/lijepiizdravi/ 52% for, 37% against as of now. This is a major portal here.Also in major newspaper was even better for yoga. Interesting. Just for your information. Jagadish das Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gHari 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2003 http://www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/07/25/offbeat.yoga.ap/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 25, 2003 http://www.forerunner.com/forerunner/X0258_Latin_America_On_Fir.html catholic church crimes in latin america to fight the encroachment on "their" countires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I'm not surprised. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted February 18, 2004 You guys talk about Croatia. There is a Christian School in madras, that cancelled the Bharatnatyam class,as it praised Lord Nataraja, a hindu god. Man, God Save india from such lunatics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted February 3, 2005 Unbelievable and these people talk of harmony, what do these people think that hindu religion will take any damage as they can create. The problem is that hindu are not united, and these people take advantage of it. We should take this up seriously. If that is the case we should not object to any move done by Hindu schools infact we have to increase the hindu schools and contribute more to hindu community only, make it more attractive to be specific. and sell it atleast thts wht other religion doin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
