The martial arts and Christianity?

[Marie5890]

(Not sure if this is the right forum. I trust the moderator will move it if need be)

Are the martial arts compatible with Christian theology? Has the Church ever said anything, one way or the other, about them?

The reason I ask is because they seem so opposite to the teachings of Christ.
Where Christ teaches and demonstrates humility, I see that the martial arts encourages ego.

Any direction in this is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[captainrick]

(Not sure if this is the right forum. I trust the moderator will move it if need be)

Are the martial arts compatible with Christian theology? Has the Church ever said anything, one way or the other, about them?

The reason I ask is because they seem so opposite to the teachings of Christ.
Where Christ teaches and demonstrates humility, I see that the martial arts encourages ego.

Any direction in this is appreciated. Thanks.

Not sure why you say ego is “encouraged?” All my sons are involved in martial arts (one instructs martial arts for law enforcement). They have fun, get a good workout. and learn valuable self-defense tactics. I don’t think anything about martial arts contradicts Christian values. Not sure if the Church has said anything on this.

 

[tomarin]

(Not sure if this is the right forum. I trust the moderator will move it if need be)

Are the martial arts compatible with Christian theology? Has the Church ever said anything, one way or the other, about them?

The reason I ask is because they seem so opposite to the teachings of Christ.
Where Christ teaches and demonstrates humility, I see that the martial arts encourages ego.

Any direction in this is appreciated. Thanks.

I think that is a criticism you could level against any and all sports, not just martial arts.

 

[jilly4ski]

(Not sure if this is the right forum. I trust the moderator will move it if need be)

Are the martial arts compatible with Christian theology? Has the Church ever said anything, one way or the other, about them?

The reason I ask is because they seem so opposite to the teachings of Christ.
**Where Christ teaches and demonstrates humility, I see that the martial arts encourages ego.
**
Any direction in this is appreciated. Thanks.

Re the bolded. Not any more than any other sport and yet most people will agree that there is some benefit to most sports. (Teamwork, camaraderie, exercise/health, skill building, dedication, perseverance, dealing with failure etc.). Martial arts (if you are talking the eastern kind) are generally practiced without any mention of any sort of spirituality, those that do you should be wary of. I studied Taekwondo (which is a Korean martial art) focused on kicking techniques. It was approached in the same manner as boxing, wrestling, or any other secular sport is approached. I was in college, so I would often come to class straight from collegiate nordic ski practice, or on days I wasn’t at taekwondo I would be playing intramural volleyball. Sport is not antithetical to Christianity.

 

[christofirst]

Depending on how deep one goes with their study of the martial arts, I understand one is often encouraged to “focus one’s qi”, or chi, and the theory of Qi has no direct equivalent in Christianity, to my understanding at least. We can talk about life-force or energy, but I think the Eastern tradition means something more than that. Personally, I do not have a problem with this, and to my knowledge the Church has made no official statement about the martial arts in particular (no doubt someone here will correct me if I’m wrong ).

I’m not sure what you’re getting at about the ego idea either. Again, the further one studies the martial arts and the rich tradition which surrounds them, I would think one would be encouraged away from an ego-centered disposition. Again, I could be wrong. Perhaps you are thinking the martial arts leads to aggression and forcing others to submit to your will, and for some it might, but many more see it as a means of protection, keeping the peace, and good conditioning.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

At first when I read this, I thought your headline said “marital” arts. LOL! I thought, what is this about?!!

It would be great if you could share with us examples and teachings that you think are contrary. I don’t know much about martial arts, but I do know I have great respect for the teachings on personal discipline.

I think that like anything (even Christianity) the focus can *become *ego-orientated, but from what I’ve seen and read about martial arts its not meant to be that way. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I am curious to know your concerns.

 

[cwby-flyer]

There is new group that is working to combine martial arts with the faith as a way to outreach to men. I am just getting started, but I think this group could have a good future.

You can check them out at orderoflepanto.com.

 

[dshix]

Depending on how deep one goes with their study of the martial arts, I understand one is often encouraged to “focus one’s qi”, or chi, and the theory of Qi has no direct equivalent in Christianity, to my understanding at least. We can talk about life-force or energy, but I think the Eastern tradition means something more than that. Personally, I do not have a problem with this, and to my knowledge the Church has made no official statement about the martial arts in particular (no doubt someone here will correct me if I’m wrong ).

This is a rather broad stereotype of “martial arts”. To be sure, there are many eastern martial arts which do indeed have a religious aspect, and I agree with you that there is not really a way to integrate this religious/philosophical aspect with Christianity, but not all martial arts are this way.

Case in point: Krav Maga. It is a very advanced Israeli self-defense art which is clean from all religious or philosophical distractions, and focuses on training the individual to be prepared for a potentially life-threatening situation. There is no concern about “chi” or inner energy, just practical, real-life training on the mechanics of self defense.

 

[tomarin]

This is a rather broad stereotype of “martial arts”. To be sure, there are many eastern martial arts which do indeed have a religious aspect, and I agree with you that there is not really a way to integrate this religious/philosophical aspect with Christianity, but not all martial arts are this way.

Case in point: Krav Maga. It is a very advanced Israeli self-defense art which is clean from all religious or philosophical distractions, and focuses on training the individual to be prepared for a potentially life-threatening situation. There is no concern about “chi” or inner energy, just practical, real-life training on the mechanics of self defense.

Or* capoiera* for that matter.