SHOULD Christians do MA?

[Treebranch]

Life is short. Why not? I don't know about you, but I've been given one life and I am going to live it to the fullest. I think most religious people are more concerned with what their fellow Christians will think of them more so than what God will think. God knows you better than you do, so why worry what people think? That's if you are religious, which I'm not. I tend not to agree with popular opinion on any subject and that includes the bible.

[monkeygirl]

I honestly don't see a conflict between being Christian and being a Martial Artist. You're not being cruel by sparring people...it's a skill that you're practicing together mutually.

[Metsubushi]

every religeon exept buddhism ( cos if you follow it perfectly your not ment to attack or kill anything even at death situations ) i think its because the thing that you attack may be a buddist in another life now ( that idear would mean you woudnt need to take ma if no one could attack you cos of the beilefe

[SevenStar]

1. We know that God helps those that help themselves.

 

This is not a biblical teaching, Sevenstar. You will not find it in the bible.

 

I suggest everyone to read the article on Christians in the Martial Arts in the article section to get just one perspective on this subject. Sorry, couldn't help the plug. Heheh.

 

Never said that it was. Does not mean it doesn't hold true. Those who help themselves and have faith in Him are helped by Him. Look at job, barak, Noah - the list goes on. They believed in God, helped themselves by following his word and were blessed in the end.

 

When I think about it, barak is a bad example. Even though he won the war, deborah and another woman were given the credit, as barak would not go unless deborah also went. deborah told him that she would go, but that if she did, God would deliver the enemy into the hands of a woman. So, he had faith in God and in deborah, but moreso in deborah. He only piggy backed off of her faith.

[kchenault]

Just to be nit picky here Sevenstar, but I believe, JMHO, the saying means that those who trust in their own understanding and do things in their own power, not relying on God for anything, get the help from God. But I digress from the current subject. Job relied solely upon God and not himself, Don't know anytinhg about Barak, and Noah did exactly as he was told to do. Didn't trust in his own power or understaning at all.

 

I guess we just look at this saying differently. God bless to you Sevenstar.

 

And the second part of my statement was just a general one for everybody to read my article (shameless plug).

[pmh1nic]

kchenault

 

That exact quote isn't in the Bible but the principle is there. God has equipped us with certain natural abilities. He expects us to use our natural talents and abilities (in honorable ways of course) to accomplish the things we are capable of accomplishing. He is their to help and guide us while also providing what we need in situations that may go beyond our natural abilities to deal with.

[KWN]

1. We know that God helps those that help themselves.

 

2. We know that the bible says "Iron sharpens Iron" In reference to the way men treat/raise, etc. each other.

 

3. We know that our God is not a God of peace. He is a God of compliance. He wants us to do as He says, and to follow His law. He has destroyed nations that have not complied. He obviously has no problem with battle, if it's justified.

 

Where things start to get hairy is when you involve eastern concepts. For starters, many people think ki/chi/prana/punap, etc. is some mystical force that's called upon. Naturally, that is seen as demonic. Next, there's the issue of calling someone "master". The only master one should have and serve is God. In addition, some styles, like ninjutsu, do deal with things that are quite unchristian. The 9 hand signs for example, if I understand them right.

 

As a side note, My church recently asked me to implement a kickboxing and/or judo class.

 

You are right to a degree. i don't think God has any problem with defending yourself. But I do have to disagree with one thing: you said God was not a God of peace, and yes, it really does seem that way in the OLD Testament, but when Jesus came that all changed. I can't recall God wiping out any nations in the New Testament.

 

but anyway, that is beside the point, what I am uncomfortable with IS the eastern religon involved. You see, my best friend and her sisters are very into karate, and they do the whole chi and meditation thing. They tell me it is just natural energy, but it scares me how ready they are to plunge into it.

 

I would like to hear what your opinion is on chi.

[Drunken Monkey]

chi is not religion.

 

it is a 'human' thing.

 

it is something that is thought to exist in man.

 

you don't worship chi.

 

you don't do things in the name of chi.

 

you don't get inspiration fro chi.

 

just because some religions meditate does not make meditating the thing of religion.

 

i pray to the traffic lights to stay green a little bit longer but that has nothing to do with religion.

[Iron Arahat]

Really I can't see why not, Christians had no problems killing people who followed the Islamic faith during the Crusades, and would not convert. Had their share of "Holy Wars".

 

Why not defend yourself...

[Karate_Star]

Not all people who claim to be Christians really are. During the Crusades "Christians" were off the wall and were trying to force their faith onto others.

 

Anyway, even if they were truly Christians and they killed people does that mean we should to?

 

So seriously, think about it.