Incompatitbility of Budo and Christianity?

[Az-Kicker]

I think that grouping all "Christians" together as a groups is very unfair. I am a Christian, and even I get annoyed with some of them.Those who have to have their nose in everything you are doing and themselves live sinfully, yes, hypocrites. Those who have lost sight of what it is really all about, a PERSONAL relationship with God. But, that is not all of us.

 

And, I think that some aspects of the MA could be misconstrued as "religeous" if presented that way. Meditating in front of a shrine with statues of Budda all around and inscense burning everywhere, is what Hollywood shows the general populace, so what are non-martial artist supposed to think?

 

Just my 2 cents

[Drunken Monkey]

well, i think that anyone who takes what they see in the media as being fact needs to leave the house a bit more...

 

as such i tend not togive them much attention.

[Martial Artist]

Whoa this is a GOOD thread, very common questions.

 

I myself am a Christian, and struggled a bit with the whole concept of "Chi" and such in the beginning of my training many years ago. Obviously, the concpets were very alien to me, living in the western part of the world, and, they seemed potentially "demonic."

 

HOWEVER

 

I got over this very quickly. Once I learned more about Chi/Qi/Ki, I became more comfortable with it. Its actually not terribly "spiritual" in nature. Chi is a part of every person, martial arts just helps you learn to use it and to cultivate and control it.

 

Now, I do not believe that Martial Arts are a religion, but, that they are certainly a way of life. Ever heard the Karatedo? Literally translated this means "The Empty Handed Way of Life." Karate is not merely a sport (hell, with the exception of certain styles of TKD and boxing, NO martial arts are "sports," they are killing and fighting/military arts), more than a self defense training ground, it IS a way of life. Same with all other genuine martial arts.

 

Also, look at the Bible. It clearly states that the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and that we are to take care of it. The Martial Arts are easily the best method of staying in good physical condition (well thats my opinion anyway cuz I don't play sports). And, its not like you are worshipping Buddha or whoever... well, usually not but hey. Just remember to keep God first in your life. If you honor him, he will honor you. Seems pretty strait forward doesn't it?

[CheekyMusician]

I'm a Christian and a martial artist, and although I believe there are a lot of similarities between christianity and MAs eg. the endless quest for humility and respect for your fellow man, I believe that there are also things which would be displeasing to God.

 

I know I felt very uncomfortable bowing to a picture of O Sensei when I went to Aikido. Fair enough, at karate we practice small standing bows to our teacher at the start of the class and to our opponents, but I didn't like the fact that at Aikido we were bowing to a photograph of someone who therefore couldn't see that we were showing him respect, and more than that a picture of someone who is dead. Yes, it was still supposed to be showing respect, but to me it was done with so much reverance that it was verging on being unChristian.

 

The thing I worry about most if martial arts taking paramount importance over my God, which obviously isn't a problem exclusive to martial arts, it could be applied to anything: schoolwork, music, friends etc.

[Tibby]

I think that grouping all "Christians" together as a groups is very unfair. I am a Christian, and even I get annoyed with some of them.Those who have to have their nose in everything you are doing and themselves live sinfully, yes, hypocrites. Those who have lost sight of what it is really all about, a PERSONAL relationship with God. But, that is not all of us.

 

Yeah, just like we have True Martial Arts, and McDojo Black belts.

[CodyydoC]

haha i go to a christian dojo

 

not really christian its actually called Karate for Christ

 

(which is something i dont quite understand seing how they dont actually teach karate)

 

this basically is the same circumstance as religions themselves

 

alot of religions teach not to kill;but christians, jews, muslims, etc., etc., etc., have all been in wars with each other in the past

 

and does the words salem witch trial ring a bell?

 

they were christians and if they took some quiet time to relax (like say meditating) they might've realized that they weren't actually witches and probably shouldn't kill them

 

and to the first question

 

i dont think martial arts is a religion unless u think that there is a martial art God and think that training and fighting is ur way of praying

 

then it becomes a religion

[Kamidake]

Hi Cheeky,

 

I wouldn't feel too bad about bowing to the representation of O Sensei. I think it's more acknowledging and honoring those who've gone before, just as you might bow to a representation of a saint or Our Lady.

[Sasori_Te]

Codyydoc, is this a Keichu Do dojo?

[wrestlingkaratechamp]

No MAs are not a religion

[shotokanwarrior]

That was a good book ( bible) a lot of good stories, drunk fishermen write good fictional tales.