How well would a religion that worked exercise into its rituals work?

[Betonhaus]

Like day Sunday church had basic stretches and jumping jacks and such as part of it, and bible sessions had things like tai chi or chanting while marching built into it?

 

[HyperboreanRightsActivist]

Like prostrations and processions?

 

[oldTireWater]

Ask the Falun Gong.

 

[Preacher ✝]

I would be against it not because I don't want to lift at Church (that would be cool) but because it would be alienating to the sick, the old, and the weak, and those are the people that need religion the most. So much of the Christian Faith is based around healing, Christ healed people, and many of the recognized miracles since his time have involved healing people.

My parish experienced such an instance when we were called to pray for the sick,there was a young girl who was facing a serious terminal illness, she ended up making a full recovery that left the doctors baffled.

With such a strong relationship to healing, I think it would be wrong to tie physical activity to faith.

That said there's nothing stopping someone from organizing a post-mass workout group. I say post-mass because no one wants to show up to mass after a workout, and the mass works as a gathering point.

 

[Agent Abe Caprine]

Isn't that basically what yoga is in its original context?

 

[Syzyg]

Isn't that basically what yoga is in its original context?

Yes. Yoga is a part of the Hindu religion. Some of its poses call back to sun-worship.

 

[Betonhaus]

I would be against it not because I don't want to lift at Church (that would be cool) but because it would be alienating to the sick, the old, and the weak, and those are the people that need religion the most. So much of the Christian Faith is based around healing, Christ healed people, and many of the recognized miracles since his time have involved healing people.

My parish experienced such an instance when we were called to pray for the sick,there was a young girl who was facing a serious terminal illness, she ended up making a full recovery that left the doctors baffled.

With such a strong relationship to healing, I think it would be wrong to tie physical activity to faith.

That said there's nothing stopping someone from organizing a post-mass workout group. I say post-mass because no one wants to show up to mass after a workout, and the mass works as a gathering point.

Yes. Yoga is a part of the Hindu religion. Some of its poses call back to sun-worship.

Ideally it would be sorta like yoga but Christian based (though replacing the bread and wine with protein bars and Gatorade might be a step too far)

Ideally the Sunday mass would consiste of general stretches and exercises appropriate for all ages, and inclusive for walk ins who didn't bring gym clothes. Considering how inactive most people are, having it be just enough to get a taste would be enough to get people to attend even if they don't do other exercise. There should be an emphasis on socializing before or after to help foster community. For people who are willing to be more engaged there can be more intense events on Saturdays and throughout the week, possible renting time at gyms and pools to have events.

 

[Preacher ✝]

Ideally the Sunday mass would consiste of general stretches and exercises appropriate for all ages, and inclusive for walk ins who didn't bring gym clothes. Considering how inactive most people are, having it be just enough to get a taste would be enough to get people to attend even if they don't do other exercise. There should be an emphasis on socializing before or after to help foster community. For people who are willing to be more engaged there can be more intense events on Saturdays and throughout the week, possible renting time at gyms and pools to have events.

There's nothing wrong with that concept and there's nothing stopping any parish from enacting such a program.

What I object to is making it part of the theology.

 

[Agamemnon Busmalis]

Throw in a steam room, sauna and hot tub and I'm sold.

 

[Betonhaus]

There's nothing wrong with that concept and there's nothing stopping any parish from enacting such a program.

What I object to is making it part of the theology.

It would have the religion part be simplified, and it needs to very quickly clarify if it's a sex cult or not.

Maybe making it Christian based may be a bit much, if you could work in elements that can be taken religiously or literally it would be better, like sun worship. Definitely cut out the jew worship and the majority of the old testament.

 

[Super Dilator Duel 3D]

To be clear, you're proposing a new religion entirely as opposed to attaching exercise routines to the beliefs of an existing religion?

If so, what core beliefs would the followers of this religion share? Even atheism has a common philosophy behind it. Without that, you can't have a religion.

 

[Xarpho's Return]

I remember visiting a megachurch once that had a full fitness center complete with racquetball courts. Would that count?

 

[Betonhaus]

To be clear, you're proposing a new religion entirely as opposed to attaching exercise routines to the beliefs of an existing religion?

If so, what core beliefs would the followers of this religion share? Even atheism has a common philosophy behind it. Without that, you can't have a religion.

Probably sun worship, recognizing that the sun is the physical embodiment of god, and that His intention is for us to grow and advance as a species. Recognizing that the historical religions were a means of understanding His world and expectations for us as best as we were capable of but as we evolved and our understanding of science and the world evolved, religion must evolve to keep pace - it must recognize what is needed for us to be human and to continue to grow and advance the human race.

 

[Preacher ✝]

Probably sun worship

 

[Ughubughughughughughghlug]

Boxer Rebellion
Whirling Dervishes (kind of)
Any Indian pagan religion that uses lacrosse, chunkey, pok ta pok or other sportsball as a sacred ritual

This ain't an original idea.

Edit: The Muscular Christianity movement.

 

[Beautiful Border]

Isn't that basically what yoga is in its original context?

Whirling Dervishes (kind of)

I don't think these are quite what OP is thinking of. Both of these are intended more to alter your state of mind, the goal isn't to really improve your body as such. It's comparable to how some religious rituals will use psychedelic drugs more than anything else. (Interesting aside: One of the first known uses of caffeine was in a religious context by Sufis).

 

[Thé au lait]

It would look like old retired people doing meditative exercises in the town square every night