Can Protestants partake in acupuncture and martial arts?

[JonNC]

Also chiropractic & herbal “medicine,” homeopathy, ear candles, & all the rest of the woo. My mother, a well educated person & a Protestant, was a great believer in medical woo. So are a surprising number of both Catholics & Protestants I know.

It’s been a shock to find out that people I thought were level-headed, well educated Catholics believe in chemtrails, Agenda 21, new age medicine, & other strange things

I’ve not experienced any of this other “woo”, but I can tell you from my own experience, infrequently of the last 40 years, that chiropractics works for the things it is designed to do.

As for the OP, I have never heard of a limitation on martial arts/acupuncture within Lutheranism. Also of note is the fact that a Lutheran pastor could not take a stance against it from the pulpit, a doctrinal stance that is, without approval of our synod. While I understand that ministers in some denominations and non-denom communities have this freedom, it does not exist in Lutheranism.

Jon

 

[4Squarebaby]

I have never heard anything about acupuncture. However for martial arts the more the teacher stresses the spiritual benefits as opposed to a combat skill the closer you will get to how some think of yoga. Which has the same prejudices attached concerning stretching versus the spiritual benefit of that exercise. Most teachers who spend time on either yoga or martial arts out of India or China as opposed to martial arts out of Europe or Israel will be seen as people on the fringe. Not representatives of general Protestant thought.

 

[InigoMontoya]

This question goes to Protestants. Are Protestants allowed to get acupuncture? Are they allowed to watch or train in martial arts? A Pastor said that these things are evil and contradict Christianity because they contain a spiritual element.

As others have mentioned, many Protestant denominations hold different views without particular homogeneity on the subject. The majority have no position on either subject while some of the more independent, fundamentalist, KJV-only baptist tend to view them as of the debil and the incarnate of modern day debil worship.

There are a number of devoutly religous martial artist, who are exceptionally well regarded by the majority of Protestant denominations. Most martial arts are about self-discipline, determination, athleticism, and maintaining a clear mind. All excellent traits to instill. There’s really only a handful of disciplines that have much spirituality intertwined with them, primarily just a few of the more esoteric Kung-fu variations.

Acupuncture is fairly similar. At this point in time, I’ve only heard of a few fundamental baptist churches objecting to it. Granted, medically speaking there is ample evidence that it doesn’t particularly work - for it’s intended purpose. It’s still viewed as an excellent placebo though that does energize most people for a few days after having a session, which in its self can be a worthwhile benefit.

 

[cheezey]

As others have mentioned, many Protestant denominations hold different views without particular homogeneity on the subject. The majority have no position on either subject while some of the more independent, fundamentalist, KJV-only baptist tend to view them as of the debil and the incarnate of modern day debil worship.

There are a number of devoutly religous martial artist, who are exceptionally well regarded by the majority of Protestant denominations. Most martial arts are about self-discipline, determination, athleticism, and maintaining a clear mind. All excellent traits to instill. There’s really only a handful of disciplines that have much spirituality intertwined with them, primarily just a few of the more esoteric Kung-fu variations.

Acupuncture is fairly similar. At this point in time, I’ve only heard of a few fundamental baptist churches objecting to it. Granted, medically speaking there is ample evidence that it doesn’t particularly work - for it’s intended purpose. It’s still viewed as an excellent placebo though that does energize most people for a few days after having a session, which in its self can be a worthwhile benefit.

If acupuncture became a sin in any religious denomination, man, I’d have to rethink bunches. Since it has been a God-send for me, I REALLY do not need to worry. It is FANTASTIC for chronic pain management and bunches of other stuff, including inability to get pregnant. Bunches of women at a practice with which I am familiar, came in, received treatments after trying almost everything else. Every single one called back after 1 - 3 treatments to cancel.
They were pregnant.

 

[cheezey]

nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm

Hope this link works. I cannot stress enough how it has helped me. Once had sciatica so bad, I went to the hospital thinking I pulled my hip out of its socket. Drugs didn’t work, not a one. Followed up with 5 tx of acupuncture. Haven’t had a problem with sciatica in 8 years. And again, this is just one ailment.

 

[InigoMontoya]

Cheers, both my wife and I also regularly enjoy the benefits of accupuncture as well.

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

Regarding the OP, it depends. As others have noted, there is no real homogeneity amongst Protestant groups, especially regarding subjects that are not necessarily religious in nature.

It is true that some martial arts are directly affiliated with a religion. For example, one of my peers is a Shaolin Monk; trained from a child at Shaolin Temple. Naturally he is a Buddhist, complete with the orange robes. However, most martial arts available to most people are not really religious in nature. The teacher may try to push a religious element on the student, but it doesn’t have to be what think it is. I know Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim Kung Fu Masters.

Regarding some of the other issues, chiropractic, herbal medicine, and acupuncture, IMHO, are legitimate. I have experience with the first two, and know people that have had acupuncture done and have benefited, yet have no knowledge of how it works. OTOH, I am skeptical of homeopathy. There are specific circumstances where “like cures like” appears to have worked, but I’m skeptical of the practice as a whole.

 

[cheezey]

I am skeptical of homeopathy. There are specific circumstances where “like cures like” appears to have worked, but I’m skeptical of the practice as a whole.

I am on the fence; with Homeopathy, it is also, “less is more”.
Couldn’t sleep. Tried melatonin. Tried 1, 3, then 5 mgs, or whatever dose it is. Nothing…
Then I used it homeopathically.
Slept very very nicely.

A non homeopathic and well respected medical journal confirmed with several studies, that overusage of melatonin discourages natural production, thus negating its possible effectiveness with OTC use. What then, constituted overusage? Anythng over .25 - .5 mg
That makes more sense, since the goal to boost the melatonin, not override it.
I liked homeopathy with that discovery. Just don’t know if it is across the board yet.