SHOULD Christians do MA?

[Ironberg]

Before I post, I will say flat out that it is not wrong IMO, for Christians to study martial arts. My definition of martial arts is this: a form of unarmed to armed defense that first taps the mind, and conditions the body, to coordinate the ones self in the most effecient manner in the attempt of estabilishing superiority over the opponent(s). This definition is somewhat generic, and has therefore appealed to competitive sporting spirit as well as the courageous spirit in reguards to self defense.

 

Hmm... Zen.

 

My beliefs about Zen are a bit difficult for most to accept. It is a buddhist belief, and buddhists believe from acquiring power from within or tapping it from nature (I'm trying to be careful where I take this). Christians believe that we recieve power from the physical and mental capacities that God has given us. Christians also believe that it is wrong to look for power from things unseen or from a spirit that isn't the Holy Spirit. Meditation (a philosophy of Zen) is a touchy subject because the definitions between Christian meditation and Eastern meditation have sometimes been greyed out.

 

Christian meditation is focusing one's entire mind of God's word, principles that he's taught us, and/or the worship of God in the spirit. That's pretty black and white now, don't you think.

 

Eastern meditation (a principle of Zen) is the emptying of one's mind. The purpose of this has been greyed out by many sources that I've read or heard: tapping the cosmos for enlightenment, sharpening one's ability to focus on the day's tasks, or to repeat mantras over and over again to recieve a spirit that is in one's art, lifestyle, or religious reflection. This is probably just the tip of the iceberg concerning interpretations of eastern meditation. Something with that broad of an interpretation is also a problem for Christians.

 

Zen, to a Christian, should be avoided, because it is two things: emptiness, the idea of self-emporment hurting a spirit filled life, or the association of a different spirit. It is not the same spirit that Christians feel when they pray, or worship God. Chi is also a touchy subject because I've been given so many definitions that my head is about to spin. Christians are called to be witnesses of their faith and to be examples of their Christianity - and conforming to a postmodern viewpoint about buddhist methadologies is stepping over the line.

 

So what should a Christian do. Don't practice martial arts with Zen emphasis, or take part in eastern meditation. All forms of martial arts are acceptable as long as they don't cause a Christian to look as if they could conform to practices that compromise their beliefs. That means that we have alot of options, don't we.

[MichiganTKD]

Well, name an Eastern martial art that doesn't use Zen meditation to a certain extent? This is one of the biggest problems I have with Christians practicing Oriental martial arts. They are so afraid of offending their God by practicing something they feel they are not allowed to. Why shouldn't you be allowed to? Do you really think Zen meditation is harmful? Zen meditation allows you to free your mind from worldly concerns and focus on the task at hand. Why is that harmful?

 

This is one of the primary reasons I never accepted most Christianity and organized religion-this constant fear of not being allowed to do things and explore ideas, offending your God, and guilt. Who needs it?

 

And before anybody starts giving me a bunch of Bible quotes, save it. You wouldn't prove anything.

[Ironberg]

I told you my beliefs wouldn't be easy to accept. My beliefs don't require people to, however. If all ideas worked, and everything was compatible then society wouldn't be so backwards would it.

[kchenault]

I liked your answer Ironberg. Much along the same lines of my article in the articles forum. The article was written for Christians, so they could maybe figure out where they stand on the issue.

 

Later days.

[MichiganTKD]

So if everyone believed as you then society wouldn't be so backward? Well, the reality is everybody doesn't and society has many problems but for different reasons.

 

I've never understood the concept of something like Christian Martial Arts-there is no such thing. Martial arts, whether TKD, karate, aikido etc., operates on a set of principles that vary from style to style. But the overall philosophy is the same-self defense of yourself, your family, and your nation. There is no Christian version of that. If you absolutely feel that including Zen meditation would offend your God and sentence you to purgatory, then put your own spin on it. But you cannot take something that originated out of a culture you didn't create and call it something else to suit your desires.

 

Sometimes I think all these Christians who have problems dealing with the outside world like this should just buy an island and live on it.

[MichiganTKD]

For the same reason that there is no such thing as American Karate, American Tae Kwon Do etc. Americans didn't create it, we only put our spin on it. But that is another thread.

[kchenault]

Going with the flow of April Fool's Day, as a KF Sensei, I will have to shut this thread down if we don't watch our tone. Please keep it respectful, without accusation and badmouthing. Thank you.

 

Now back to the posts. I don't think we "Christians" have a problem with the world. I think the world has a problem with us. Because we won't bow to it's wishes and live like everybody else. We don't conform to society, therefore some feel we should go "buy an island".

 

Unfortunately, the same could be said for every dissenting point of view.

[MichiganTKD]

If you shut this thread down, you will be no better than GW Bush, who also likes to squash opinions and dissent he doesn't like.

 

Let Free Speech Reign!

[MichiganTKD]

As an Administrator, maybe I should keep it open. I do believe in free speech and differing opinions!

[kchenault]

Thank you for the followup comment. For a minute, I thought you thought I was serious. At least I hope you know I am kidding about shutting it down. But as Adminstrator, you would know that inflaming language and blownout opinions are often shutdown when the tone is deemed disrespectful.

 

I voted for Bush and plan to do so again, because I don't see anyone better coming along. But this is also a line of talk that will get this thread shutdown.