Expert: Scott Talbot - 1/21/2010

Question
Should a christian have wind chimes?  Do yoga?  

Answer
Hi Christine,

It's nice to hear from you.

I think I understand your concern. Things such as wind chimes and yoga have associations tying them to eastern religions. However, this does not, in and of themselves, make them bad things. It is possible to hang a wind chime and practice yoga without subscribing to any of the false religious notions of the eastern religions with which they're associated.

Consider a similar analogy. The cross, a popular symbol of Christianity, has become something of a fad in the jewelry arena. Many people who do not subscribe to the Christian faith wear crosses. This does not make them Christians.

The Apostle Paul dealt with similar issues in the early church. One of these issues was that certain Christians were eating meat that had been offered to false gods--idols. Some Christians took offense at this, thinking that the association with a false religion was evil. However, others saw no harm in it, realizing that the false gods were just that--false--and that the erroneous beliefs of others had no negative impact on the meat itself.

What was Paul's response to this dilemma? Read Romans 14. The entire chapter lays out principals dealing with appropriate ways to deal with these issues. I think this passage applies to your question, as well.

I would love to hear back from you.

Scott