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,
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.” – 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!
Remember, 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.
