Christians and the Martial Arts

[47MartialMan]

Yeah, but martial arts have envolved to not include religious "overtones"

[kchenault]

Very true 47. But some arts still rely heavily on ancient tradtions and beliefs. I think the biggest problem might be that some areas are so limited on what is available to learn. TKD is the arguably the most prevalent art or sport there is and it has pretty much left it religious overtones at the door.

[47MartialMan]

Questions:

 

Is the belief in Ki/Chi/Qi against Christian practicing martial arts?

 

Is meditation against Christian practicing martial arts?

 

Is bowing, against Christian practicing martial arts?

 

Is learning fighting methods, per punching, kicking, injuring, against Christian practicing martial arts?

[kchenault]

All good questions.

 

Ki/Chi/Qi, depending on how you use the term, could go either way, in my understanding. If you mean we all have a spirit, then no, it is not against a Christian believing this. If you mean a force that ties and binds us all together that we can bend to our own will, then I personally would consider that a no-no for a true believer of Christ.

 

Again, to think about something intently is not against Chirstian belief and is encouraged, especially the Word of God, but if you mean thinking on something so intently or the opposite, which is clearing the mind completely, so as to tap into some unseen force for lack of a better term, to improve one-self or bend that force to our own will, that would be against Christian belief.

 

Bowing is nothing more than a show of respect, unless it is to worship something or someone. That would be against Christian belief.

 

Learning fighting techniques for self-defense or defense of others is not against Christian belief. King David was a violent man with the blood of innocents on his hands, but he was considered by God Himself to be a man after His own heart. But because of this violence David was not allowed to build God's holy temple.

 

The biggest difference between believers and non-believers is that believers are forgiven. We s crew up just as much as the next guy, but we try to live a certain way and learn from our mistakes. God forgives us because we ask and He wants to forgive. The rest of the world doesn't seem to understand that it is not what we as Christians do that saves us, but God's love and grace that saves us. All we do is accept a freely given gift. That's it.

 

Sorry for the sermon, I hope some of the questions were answered sufficiently for you 47.

 

Pilsung!

Edited October 4, 2004 by kchenault

[47MartialMan]

Yes,

 

Thanks, I didn't see it as a sermon. have a few Christian students. The problem is the other Chritians that try to convince my Christian students that martial arts is wrong for Christians.

[thaiboxerken]

I think it's rather ironic that Christians are telling other Christians not to do martial arts because it's violent..... considered the Crusades, WWII, Spanish Inquisition and several thousand years of witch burnings that continue to the day.

[47MartialMan]

I think it's rather ironic that Christians are telling other Christians not to do martial arts because it's violent..... considered the Crusades, WWII, Spanish Inquisition and several thousand years of witch burnings that continue to the day.

 

What it is, in a actual nutshell, is that they (those shall we call "extremists") do not want anything else "distracting" from their main belief.

 

Further, they may feel threaten if their "numbers" dwindle.

[dippedappe]

Im a Cristian to.

 

I also studie martial arts, but I keep it as a secret. You can say Im only fooling myself but, The other witnesses looks at martial arts as very wrong. The reason for keeping it secret is because I, like it is said in Matthew 18:6 -"BUT WHOEVER STUMPLES ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES WHO PUT FAITH IN ME, it is more beneficial for him to have hung around his neck a millstone such as is turned by an * and to be sunk in the wide, open sea."

 

That is what Im afraid of. If some of my brothers or sisters know I practice this, he/she would maybe be thinking If he can do it, then so can I. And if that person then thinks Im doing it for becoming a fighter, he would be studying it for the wrong reasons. This may sound strange but. The way I see it is like this... A Punch is just another movement of your hand, and a kick is just another movement with your foot, just like any other movement can be use in the day-life so could it be used for fighting. Yes its properly wrong to use it as you are toughed, but its just like a knife. Its not its purpose that matters, Its how you use it.

 

Me personally, I study this because its an art, and Im an artist when I do it. I have never heard of a gung fu school in Denmark that is interested in religion. But almost all the Japanese schools are obsessed by it. So its a good thing that Im only interested in gung fu.

[Humble Novice]

I have read only the first page of this thread, and am oblivious to any conflict that might have ensued since. I agree with all those on the first page mostly.

 

I don't believe Jesus has a problem with a self-defence. And also, several people in the Bible bowed to other people. Jacob bowed seven times to Esau. Morticai in the book of Esther said that he bowed only to his God and his king. Meaning that he did indeed bow to his king.

 

I practice my Hsing I Chuan exercises right before I go to bed and then do my Bible study as soon as I get to bed. I like how the exercises focus my often difficult-to-focus mind. The one thing I question is that my exercise time tends to be 3-5 times the length of my Bible study time, but that is all.

 

I enjoy the discipline, and feel that the martial arts may be one way for me to earn the humility that is so integral for true Christian living. The martial arts teaches you that you can always improve, and it also teaches respect. I would say that my limited exposure to this site has corroborated my idea of the martial arts making people more respectful, as this site is much more peaceful than other forums I've visited.

 

That is all from this humble novice.

[foreveryoung001]

I enjoyed your post. As a fellow Christian, I would offer you this encouragment. Do not question the amount of time spent in MA practice, compared to bible study, or time in church, or anywhere else. Your connection to God, is based on where your heart is, not on what your are doing, or how much time you spend doing something. That is one thing a Sunday school teacher tried to teach my children, is that if they spend more time watching TV, then doing bible lessons, then they shouldn't call themselves true Christians. This goes against the very message of the bible, and the fact that God's love is all encompassing, and through Jesus, is all forgiving. Continue to keep your heart humble before God in everything you do, and I have no doubt that God will smile upon you.

 

Be Blessed!