What do you think of Martial Arts?

[BenFTW]

I had a discussion with a guy about this in front of a fire pit and I commented that martial arts in a way glorifies God, because it shows the abilities of the human body and therefore glorifies God, the Creator. Much like dancing or singing glorifies the Creator showcasing talent, martial arts too can show the genius of God. Even in the pain inflicted on their bodies and the healing process of the body after glorifies God (the self healing mechanisms of the body). I am not necessarily saying fighting in and of itself glorifies God (true violence is wrong), but you can see the wisdom and knowledge of God in the acts of His creation (singing, dancing, fighting, running, etc).

The issue with the colosseum and gladiators, was that people were fighting to the death not valuing life. There is a story about when (and why) the Colosseum ended, and it was about a Christian monk who decided to go out and about in society (instead of being in solitude). He was walking through the markets and hearing the cheers of the Colosseum and went to see what was happening. He witnessed gladiators fighting to the death and screamed for them to stop in the name of Jesus!!! He ran in between the gladiators and was pierced! 🗡 He fell to the ground and his scarlet blood stained the sand. Silence went throughout the crowds. Innocent blood was shed. It is said the gladiators laid down their weapons and that day forward the Colosseum stopped holding gladiator matches. The monk’s life ended their bloodshed, after years of solitude and deciding to go out into society being slain trying to stop violence.

I don’t know if that story is true, but I remember hearing about it.

I think that is the fantasized version of events, but this was the actual story of saint Telemachus.

“Saint Telemachus (also Almachus[1] or Almachius) was a monk who, according to the Church historian Theodoret,[2] tried to stop a gladiatorial fight in a Roman amphitheatre, and was stoned to death by the crowd. The Christian Emperor Honorius, however, was impressed by the monk's martyrdom and it spurred him to issue a historic ban on gladiatorial fights. Frederick George Holweck gives the year of his death as 391.[3] The last known gladiatorial fight in Rome was on 1 January 404 AD.”


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Telemachus

 

[lenna]

"Roughsoul1991, post: 4319108, member: 245751"]I didn't say your opinion was wrong. We all have our reasons to why we religiously deny some things but allow others.

huh. you sound defensive now. it's your choice and I didn't correct you. I simply gave my opinion and the op asked for it. no religious posturing or self righteousness in my post.

ok?

 

[Socreta93]

See nothing wrong with it

 

[Roughsoul1991]

huh. you sound defensive now. it's your choice and I didn't correct you. I simply gave my opinion and the op asked for it. no religious posturing or self-righteousness in my post.

ok?

Nah I didn't mean it that way. I meant it as in the realm of why some Christians choose to vaccinate or not, why some choose to eat certain foods or not, or worship on Saturday compared to Sunday. It is by conscience we are judged in matters like these. I'm not seeing the offense to responding to you because I thought this was a open discussion forum.

 

[Subhumanoidal]

I have no problem with self defense and certainly not defending others. Martial arts are not the only way to get in shape or defend or protect yourself.

Don't know how handy it would come in if the person you want to defend against is standing 20 feet away with an automatic

Guns are not really an issue with me either, but just saying, yah know?

But the guy that attacks you from 3 feet away, it comes in handy. The one that won't let you reach for a gun. The argument against martial arts if someone has a gun is false. The point of martial arts is defense against a close range attack, to think that is discredited by a factor that it is not meant to counter is not a flaw in martial arts, but a flaw in the the thinking of the one that believe it's a valid argument against it.
On average people are more likely to be assaulted than shot from a long distance.

 

[lenna]

Nah I didn't mean it that way. I meant it as in the realm of why some Christians choose to vaccinate or not, why some choose to eat certain foods or not, or worship on Saturday compared to Sunday. It is by conscience we are judged in matters like these. I'm not seeing the offense to responding to you because I thought this was a open discussion forum.

oh good. Then obviously you took my posts the wrong way since I was only responding to the op and giving my 'Christian ' thoughts on it like he asked us to do.

What you choose to practice is not between you and me. My conscience is fine

 

[Roughsoul1991]

oh good. Then obviously you took my posts the wrong way since I was only responding to the op and giving my 'Christian ' thoughts on it like he asked us to do.

What you choose to practice is not between you and me. My conscience is fine

Yah it's all good.

 

[Lanolin]

some people seem to think everything asian or chinese is bad and unchristian, so it might just be prejudice.

with martial art, there may be associations with buddhist thought. which for some is more of a philosphy than a religion, as the buddha didnt actually want anyone to worship him and wanted people to live right, but people, being human went ahead and worshipped him anyway. of course, many buddhists wouldnt have heard of Jesus Christ as the gospel didnt reach far into China until last century, where its now exploded, even despite oprressive govts. Back then the routes to asia were closed and it was isolated from the west.

I used to do some tai chi, which could be classed as a martial art, but its more about keeping fit than anything else.

Yoga on the otherhand, I would stay away from, as its deeply tied with hindu gods worship.

 

[Lanolin]

Confucius was also concerned more with family and living right, probably has more influence than buddha had with the Chinese. But its more of a philosphy not a religion. many Chinese are quite pragmatic and will go along with whatever works.

The Bible talks about human wisdom is not as good as Gods wisdom however.

people in my country play a lot of rugby. Its not seen as opposed to christianity even though it can get violent. I think if you start idolising any kind of sport though and putting it above God its not a good thing.

most rugby players, through sheer bulk and strength could probably use their bodies purely as defense, but on the rugby field all they are up against really is another team of fifteen players possessing a rugby ball.

 

[AndyMaleh]

Martial Arts are fine and I would think encouraged for Christians to be ready to take on any evil. I know some myself, thanks be to God.

 

[AndyMaleh]

some people seem to think everything asian or chinese is bad and unchristian, so it might just be prejudice.

with martial art, there may be associations with buddhist thought. which for some is more of a philosphy than a religion, as the buddha didnt actually want anyone to worship him and wanted people to live right, but people, being human went ahead and worshipped him anyway. of course, many buddhists wouldnt have heard of Jesus Christ as the gospel didnt reach far into China until last century, where its now exploded, even despite oprressive govts. Back then the routes to asia were closed and it was isolated from the west.

I used to do some tai chi, which could be classed as a martial art, but its more about keeping fit than anything else.

Yoga on the otherhand, I would stay away from, as its deeply tied with hindu gods worship.

It's not prejudice. I know many of their martial arts are based on Buddhism. I would advise against learning for sure. They are tainted with godless ideas that might influence one unconsciously. Besides, there are plenty of other martial arts out here, whether mixed martial arts, Brazilian jujitsu, boxing, kickboxing, or wrestling.

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God" 1 John 4 (ESV)

 

[Lanolin]

It's not prejudice. I know many of their martial arts are based on Buddhism. I would advise against learning for sure. They are tainted with godless ideas that might influence one unconsciously. Besides, there are plenty of other martial arts out here, whether mixed martial arts, Brazilian jujitsu, boxing, kickboxing, or wrestling.

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God" 1 John 4 (ESV)

but then much can be said of american tv and video games and sports that people seem to watch and play all the time, with godless ideas where its blatantly mammon worship. Actually MORE so, because in american arts and sports, and tv money is God. its even written on american banknotes, in God we trust. This isnt the God of the Bible its talking about. Our God the Lord almighty doesnt need your money.

for example, there are now university degrees in sports analytics, where you can learn how to manipulate data and stats, because people gamble on sports outcomes. People now dont play for the fun of it, they play for cash.

Just pointing out that, in sports, there is also a lot of religious talk thats complete baloney, so saying a prayer to win a game isnt necessarily christian either.
one thing that surprises me, theres a show called american idol, and professed Christians would go on it and sing, wanting to be idols. (and also win cash) Thats struck me as completely ironic.

my other point is that, some peoples knee jerk reaction is anything from China is deemed as unchristian. ok kung fu...associations with the buddhism, obviously most christians arent going to like it or associate with it. But then somehow, something like American Idol is ok for christians.

the thing with buddhism, is, its not on the level of mammon worship that is the real danger since it often counterfeits christianity and sucks people in. Buddhist philosophy says , all people suffer but teaches that its your responsibility to feel compassion for those who are suffering.
the ideology of mammon is, the suffering of others doesnt even figure in their mindset. as long as you are rich, nobody else matters.

 

[Duskey]

As long as what you are doing isn't for worshipping or honoring a false god. If your intentions are pure as in self defense, defense of others, to get healthier, more confident, etc.

Perfectly stated. I taught for a while but left because there was too little humility and way too much ungodly dishonor.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Perfectly stated. I taught for a while but left because there was too little humility and way too much ungodly dishonor.

Yah you can sometimes instantly feel the absence of humility or honor when you visit other dojos.

 

[EleventhHour]

Yah you can sometimes instantly feel the absence of humility or honor when you visit other dojos.

Humility is supposed to be part of martial arts, that is too bad.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Humility is supposed to be part of martial arts, that is too bad.

Many schools who are generationally so far removed from it's roots sometimes gets Americanized as it begins to focus on money instead of the students. You can immediately tell the difference when the instructor truly cares for their students.

 

[Ronja]

When I was in China, learning Kung Fu I was taught discipline and to respect authorities.
They did however put me to meditate a lot because I was very hot-headed. When meditating I got to focus on my breathing and the stomach, the source of the body’s energy.
I have heard that meditation is a big nono, but I don’t really understand why?

 

[AndyMaleh]

Ronja, if you're a woman, you shouldn't do martial arts. Godspeed.

 

[Ronja]

Ronja, if you're a woman, you shouldn't do martial arts. Godspeed.

Why is me being a woman an issue?

 

[Blain]

I have always loved Martial Arts and even went to China to study and learn Kung Fu. However I sometimes feel that Christians are not happy to learn this. What are your thoughts on this?
Why would it be against Christianity?

It doesn't go against Christianity. Having the ability and the power to harm others itself is not a sin it is a tool and like any tool what it is used for is the deciding factor. To have such strength as that means you have a responsibility in how you use it, you can use it to harm others for the wrong reeasons or you can use it to protect.

Those who are strong have an obligation to uphold and protect the weak, those can fight have an obligation to fight for those who cannot those who have power have an obligation to defend the powerless.
This is why I have always loved knights.
I have seen many movies shows and even researched some knights of the days of hold every knight has armor a sword and sometimes a sheild however each knight uses them for different reasons.

They all have the skills and tools to either take a life or save it, for every blade that take a life or wounds there also is a blade that can save a life and heal surgeoins used to use knives to heal others many doctors also knew the use of healing with a blade.

For every sheild that can knock a person down there also is a shield that can protect.
It isn't enough to have strength or the ability and power to harm others what you use it for decides everything that is the measure of your heart and is what decides if you are truly strong or not.
The strong don't pick on the weak they defend them and help them to be strong, just because you are strong enough to harm others doesn't mean you are strong what you decide to do with that strength decides that