Did you know karate and martial arts are not for Christians?

[DragsAndRags]

Well I had the good fortune to take karate from a Christian sensei. He never made us meditate or get into any of that Eastern mysticism stuff. It was all about self-defense. Martial arts has good knowledge of the physics of movement and force. By force, I mean throwing punches or kicking to defeat your opponent. There's nothing wrong with studying this aspect. But if I had gone to a dojo that had meditation and junk, I would've have been very uncomfortable. I'm glad I had a Christian sensei!

 

[MinorityofOne]

My fiancee is very involved with martial arts and I can reassure any doubters that he is not demon possessed!

Can you prove it?! :O

YES, MARTIAL ARTS ARE DEFINITELY 'DEMONIC'! Just like video games, football, and Ayn Rand novels... that is, there's nothing inherently evil about them unless they're causing you to go against the core tenets of your faith.

 

[baiguai]

I have been learning and teaching Kung Fu for over eight years now - I think it depends on the particular school. Where I train, we learn about qi and some of Kung Fu's taoist origins, but always at an academic level, we are never expected to accept or practice the religious faith(s) of those who started it. I believe that Kung Fu should be practiced in a manner that is in agreement with your faith. Nothing I've been expected to do is anything more than physical training and conditioning as well as the mental equivalent (remaining relaxed and focused, even as a whole room of students is trying to take you to the ground etc).
If my training were to attempt to compromise my faith in Jesus I would quit.

 

[Quasicentennial]

In a dangerous situation, your body is at risk if your limbs remain neutral. That's why kung fu, karate and other art forms are learned experiences for quick-thinking mind-to-limb lightning fast response reaction. You are more likely to survive by running away from the situation, rather than take on one or more opponents. Another challenge is to climb walls and fences, jump over vehicles and other obstacles in the street, using street poles to grab and swing your body around to hit opponent with your legs. Your mind uses everything in view as a prop or weapon for protection.

 

[Lindley]

As long as they doesn´t clash with my beliefs, I don´t think that martial arts should be avoided. To the contrary, such type of training gives you excellent physique and it´s just another way of taking care of our body, which is the temple of God

 

[EdwardG]

Do you believe that Karate and yoga can be or is dangerous for Christians?

Perhaps Karate and yoga can be dangerous for some Christians, and if so, then they should not do it at all, especially if it goes against their conscience. And I fall into that category. Yet, I have known some very good Christians who have studied Karate. I even met a Christian who teaches it from a Christian point of view to do no harm.

Either way, I do not think that the Church has officially ruled one way or the other.

I have never heard of people who practice Karate as being actually demon-possessed. On the other hand, anyone could be possessed if they let themselves be open to a wicked lifestyle or were cursed in some way.

But saying that all practitioners of yoga and karate are demon-possessed is stereotyping that could border on flaming, in my opinion.

While I have met only a few practitioners who scare me because they seem to have the wrong attitude, I have met a lot of very disciplined and kind people who are into Karate as a form of exercise, and nothing more.

Very well said.

 

[GQ Chris]

Some of the most outspoken Christians I know are Martial Artists and Pro Boxers, Manny Pacquiao and Andre Ward come to mind.

 

[Merlin]

it's like anything else that requires effort.
you can call on the Lord, another entity, or even self

 

[Kirey]

Love Martial Arts and would love to learn it. I in no way think that any form of exercise is a sin. If it's good for your body then it's good for God's temple.

 

[PrayerInProgress]

Not all martial arts are into chi power. I think it's how you use it and what you do with it rather than how it makes you into something. that's just me though.

 

[sbbqb7n16]

25. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.26. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;27. but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Boxing is a form/variant of martial arts. FYI.

If the OP is right, then the Apostle Paul was demon possessed. Hmmm...

Martial arts used to find spiritual enlightenment = bad
Martial arts used to grow self-discipline = good

When a person breaks a board with their hand, there is an evil spirit that goes ahead of their hand and breaks the board before their skin even touches the board! If you take a macro slow motion video of a young boy breaking a 2x4 in half, you will eye-witness this fact....

Really? That must be a really tiny demon... do you see it?? check these out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9BvKvILvxI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piaqVp88SlE

 

[Armand52]

d

 

[gohst]

LoL
I don't see anything wrong with Martial Arts. In fact I do a few lol high kicks daily and work out my arms. It feels great! lol It's good excercise and some people may need that self defense. So again I see nothing wrong with it.

Thank you for the thread
Have a good day

 

[GodIsLove1]

I study Aikido. It's a Japanese Martial Art of non-aggression. It fits in beautifully with my stance of Christian Non-Resistance to Evil (google Adin Ballou). There is never a time when we are allowed to "attack" (unless in training -- and only for the purpose of allowing our partner to learn to "defend"). We do not break boards or bricks (or Bones, for that matter). We don’t hit or kick. We Do “roll” or “throw” or “spin”

The art is to train us to re-direct the incoming force of violence along its natural course (as we get out of the way) and send an attacker to meet the natural consequences of his actions. And we are counseled to be quick about it and reach a point of safety afterwards.

We dodge, duck, and re-direct. And in training, we fall down and are thrown a heck of a lot. (Just call me "Bruised Lee" ). It really is great for physical conditioning, and I believe that when I'm geriatrically-challenged, if I fall, I will be prepared to NOT break a hip.

As for the Eastern Mysticism inherent in the Martial Arts (Chi, Ki, tan tien), I have come to know that, indeed, I am working with my human spirit (not Mind/Soul power – certainly Nothing Occult). Nor is it the Holy Spirit teaching me to kick A**. But He is most happy that I am a healthy temple who can defend myself and others if the need ever arises -- in a non-violent way.

God Bless.

 

[USincognito]

If anyone is really worried about it that much there are several martial arts you can study that aren't rooted in Buddhism or Shinto. Examples are Krav Maga, Savate, Sambo and Brazilian Ju Jitsu. Most of these came out of miltiary/police or street fighting and are very practical if you are learning primarily for self-defense.

What about the "Chi" power that Eastern monks (from China) display when harmful things bounce off their aurora without harming them. What is behind that force? Or is that some kind of magic?

Chi doesn't exist. And...

Its nothing more than very well trained, very focused individuals performing an extreme discipline. They may look supernatural, but really, they aren';t any more supernatural than the feats achieved by Olympic athletes.

^^ this, plus most of what seems "force" is actually just an application of physics or physiology.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

When a person breaks a board with their hand, there is an evil spirit that goes ahead of their hand and breaks the board before their skin even touches the board!

This makes about as much sense as saying that Tiger Woods can hit a golf ball because a demon goes ahead of his golf club and helps move the ball, or that Michael Jordan can score points because a demon helps him jump. Or that Mozart was good only because demons sang the melodies to him, etc. etc.

I see many commands in the bible, like to put aside anger, rid yourself of malice, love your enemies, etc., which I think are wise commands and we should follow them. However, I see little explanation of how I'm to do such things. Put off the old man, put on the new. To my ears, that tells me what I am to do, but doesn't really explain how. Its a poetic description of a goal, but includes no specific steps. Therefore I feel that God has left the how part up to me to discover on my own. If athletics or meditation helps me do that, fine.

 

[GQ Chris]

I see both as a battle and a fight. The Christian life is a battle for Truth and makes no room for compromise.

 

[FreeSpirit74]

Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, OP. I happen to know someone who has been living his life by the Way of the Martial Arts (Shotokan Karate) for almost 50 years. He is far more disciplined than anyone else I've ever met, especially the so-called "devout" Christians I've had the displeasure to interact with here on CF, and he attibutes it all to having made the mindset of the Martial Artist the compass he uses to navigate through life.

He made that choice in his very early 20's, when he started studying karate with Gichin Funakoshi's students when he was stationed with the USAF Security Service in Okinawa in the early 1960's -- he'll be 70 next January 22, he's in far better physical shape than men half his age, and... mentally? Forget it -- this is one man with whom you do not want to get into a verbal sparring contest, because you'll be on your figurative back before you realize what hit you.

 

[FreeSpirit74]

I loved this post, yatcup. You sound like my buddy I mentioned in my other post in this thread. He has a very strong dislike for what he calls "chop socky" martial arts, like what you detailed in your first paragraph. The whole emphasis on winning, rather than focusing on inner change and development of the self. He did compete when he was younger (actually competed against Chuck Norris once), but at one point he told me he threw out all of his trophies and medals because he didn't feel they meant anything.

I don't practice the physical aspects of the martial arts, but instead on focus on the mental aspects - discipline, determination, knowing myself (he would tell me to "just be"), challenging myself to change and become a better person.

I can definitely see where a lot of religious people would have an issue with TRADITIONAL martial arts. And I see it a lot with regard to my kwoon. The problem is, I think, that there are plenty of "sport karate" dojos, which are great for what they are, but do not represent martial arts truly. Particularly in America, Karate has become a commercial boom. These dojos have no elements of tradition, they focus on stretching/self-defense/movement. They focus on health and "reaching goals." The goals are laughable. The sensei practically guarantees a belt every 8 months. They constantly compete in tournaments (where they are wearing armor like medieval knights on horseback). The dojos are brightly lit, the gi are clean and pressed, and the environment is one of companionship and happiness. I have even seen schools that offer birthday parties for kids, homework help, etc. In such schools, there is nothing contrary to any religion, I think. (Unless you despise capitalism???)

My kwoon is traditional. When you come in to train and when you leave you bow to Sifu and you bow to the altar. On the altar there are statues of general kwan, fruits, incense, candles and photographs of the masters in our lineage. There are Buddhas and lion dogs all over the kwoon. I guess it depends on how "fundamentalist" the person is, but this bowing to the altar bothers people.

We cultivate Qi. Qi is not a "euphemism" for bloodflow or strength or breath. People who describe it thusly do not know what they are speaking about. Its a pretty good measure, because once they say that - you can stop listening, they have no clue.

We train hard. We spar without gloves, helmets, chest pieces, and all the other mess. Just groin cups and mouthpieces. Sport/American karate trains for tournaments - so they form the habit of "pulling punches" for the tournament sparring. We generally avoid tournament sparring unless it is full contact without gear. We do this because our intention is to become fighters. If we NEED to use our art, it is not for points. There will be no referee. There is no "honorable" fight - we fight to destroy our opponent effectively and efficiently. Many religious people would take issue with this mindset - it does not teach "turn the other cheek" or "fighting is immoral." There is no pacifism here.

Finally, select elder students are selected, after years of service, to become Sifu's disciples. There is a ceremony. They pledge their life to him and his teachings. Again, for those used to the shallow American Karate schools, this is difficult. And I can certainly see some religious people being very uncomfortable with this relationship with a sifu.

We break bricks. We do not break pre-manufactured boards. We do not use spacers. It is not a matter of "power" alone. But there is no "evil spirit" that zaps from our palms.

I guess it REALLY depends on what people mean when they say "martial arts." Do they mean the sport stuff? Or do they mean the traditional stuff?

 

[puppetmaster]

lol
I know this is an old thread, but defending yourself of course is not evil.