Is it ok for christians to do martial arts.....why/why not?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
N

NodMyHeadLikeYeah

Guest
#22
Of course, i do kungfoo all the time..

HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIYA!


see what i'm talkin about... ALL.....the......TIME!
 

rachelsedge

Senior Member
Oct 15, 2012
3,659
81
48
34
#24
I learned my kung-fu from Kung Fu Panda, in the following way:

Po: He was so deadly, in fact, that his enemies would go blind from over-exposure to pure awesomeness!
That's all I need. Pure awesomeness.

 
Aug 2, 2009
24,644
4,305
113
#25
Thanks for all the helpful feedback.I will certainly see if there are any Krav Maga instructors here - if not I'll check out the Win Chun Dojo round the corner.:)
Wing Chun for the win!! That's the art that Bruce Lee started out with. :) I have a cousin who's a black belt and he learned some wing chun from a kung fu master and you literally could not touch him or punch him no matter how fast you were or how hard you tried. He would always block you as if he knew where you were going to try to touch/punch him even before you did it.
 

wanderer6059

Senior Member
Oct 27, 2013
1,282
57
48
#26
its all good its an art form that helps you learn control and focus i have multiple black belts in taekwondo, karate, jujitsu, ect. i have even don tai chi and the philosophy of it is yin and yang basically it is a form of martial arts that says brute force against brute force only brings more suffering and that you should use soft flowing motions to be life water and exhaust the aggressor and the spiritually side i pray and have even prayed with my instructor during my meditation and focused on the lord and (please don't jump me for this) but think of the chi energy they speak of as the holy spirit within
 
T

Trudes

Guest
#27
Hi all,
Just wondering if its ok for christians to do martial arts.Pleaes back up your answers with good reasons.
Thanks.

I can't see why. I wish I could take martial arts. It is good to be able to protect yourself. If I have children they will be signed up.
 
F

fellclaw01

Guest
#28
Alright guys I found this website because of this threat and would like to add my 2 cents worth
Firstly as having trained in martial arts for over 15 years first point I would like to make is that any martial art that talks too much about spiritual stuff is wasting your time. In my experience good martial arts is about working hard physically, charlatans use meta pyhsics and spirituality to hide the weakness and often lack of hard work
 
F

fellclaw01

Guest
#29
Traditional martial arts is particularly susceptible to this problem. A martial art is a martial art it should teach you about physical development and how to fight if its taught properly- there should be no threat to your Christianity as martial arts should not get involved in spirituality
 
F

fellclaw01

Guest
#30
Most of the Christians I meet are through being involved in martial arts - though because of its non spiritual nature we have aetheist, Muslims and Hindus. The point is that when your training your all just men - and your judged by your work ethic
 
D

Donkeyfish07

Guest
#31
Krav Maga was developed by Israeli special forces and designed to maim/incapacitate you opponent. That side-steps the whole Eastern-mysticism topic entirely.
It's brutally efficient as well. That's designed for serious combat though, I wouldn't think it would be a good style for just a hobby though from what I know about it.
 
F

fellclaw01

Guest
#32
What do you mean by brutally efficient?
 
Jan 18, 2014
193
2
0
#33
If I can add my 2 pennies here. Surely we must accept that Christianity has evolved over the centuries with its lessons and laws being minority modified with each generation and empire. If a person is comfortable and confident in their belief then why would any other spiritualist practices prove threatening to them. Secondly, to imply such negativity to paganism shows a lack of appreciation with the hybrid features of this faith with that of early european paganism. Truthfully, a lot of the techniques taught by instructors are to help the student visualise a physical state of being which relies on micro muscular control which would otherwise be extremely for a person to achieve.
 
Jan 24, 2012
1,299
15
0
#34
Nothing wrong with martial arts. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu rules. To any people that are wondering why this is even a question, back in the day you would have some forms of martial arts teach spiritual techniques (not so many around today) to work in your favor such as using astral projection to do reconnaissance on your enemies. If on the off chance you come across any gyms/dojos like that, I would most definitely recommend walking out.
 
J

jeremyPJ

Guest
#35
I honestly don't see any foul connection of chi and martial arts in regard to Christianity. I meditated and was involved with martial arts for a while, and meditation basically clears the mind and allows focus of your thoughts and actions. Only if someone was doing evil with their fighting skills, or meditating in foul ways (this is possible, but not encouraged by any self-respecting dojo I've heard of personally).

however, I must say that on two occasions back in my 20's that I was quite intoxicated and meditated with heavy music, and I felt and saw in my mind, evil presence. It was scary and that was the end of that. My counselor at the time (new age) said "yes, this can happen". So obviously I don't encourage such behavior at all, that's what new age stuff opens you up to.

So I would encourage anyone doing this to stay in meditating on the quiet, inner calm self, for personal goodness. It is very effective to use in tournaments. And I do believe it can aid in connecting with the Lord in a good way. I think it's all about "where you are" in Christ.
 
J

jeremyPJ

Guest
#36
I may be wrong, but I believe Moses found meditation and other spiritual skills in his life, and was granted power by God. He was a humble man, probably the best choice for a man to undertake this kind of thing. I may be a bit unclear on this subject as I am at my first year as a saved Baptist. So if I need corrected or edited, feel free. I do know from my experience in the martial arts (tae kwon do) that meditation is very helpful in the focus of the mind/spirit in attaining success in situations.
 
R

RedFox144

Guest
#37
I took karate for 6 or 7 years where I got to 2nd degree black belt, plus I took jujitsu for a year. Of course it does depend on how is teaching and how they are teaching. there are a lot of hokey places out there to look out for. What I got out of my experience was a great workout with friends, leadership skills, discipline, and a better understanding of how to defend myself and others if the need ever arose. It even allowed me to learn a little about other cultures. Being able to learn a skill and get some action into your life does wonders for your self confidences and stress levels. Did I develop an insatiable erg to break someone's leg when they bumped me? No. Did I wish harm to my sparring opponent when we fought in class? No, if anything, I gained respect for him or her and even learned things about them that would have been messed in just causal conversation. Also, having something in common can lead to witnessing opportunities. I am guessing that your real question is: Is it sinful for me to train to fight even though we are called to be peace keepers and to turn the other cheek? Or are you concerned more with exposing yourself to Eastern mysticisms that have become so incorporated within this genre? A good site for the first case is Biblical Self-Defense: What does the Bible say about self-defense? Bible study about self-defense questions: Can a Christian own a gun? What do the Scriptures say about using lethal force for self-protection?
As for the second case, yes, stay away. Those dojos are usually not very good with teaching the art anyways. We are given the Holy Spirit, use Him. If you walk into a place and see what and how they are teaching and it gives you an uneasy feeling, chances are that it is the Spirit telling you to get out of there. It is usually pretty clear on where the line is if you just trust the Spirit and use what you know of God. One more thing that I will say is about bowing. A slight bow to people in Eastern countries is not a sign of worship but is one of respect or greeting. It is just like our handshake or a curtsy. Don't feel like they are making students worship their opponents at the beginning of a fight when they are asked to give a little bow to each other.
 
Jul 27, 2016
458
7
0
#39
Of course, a Christian like any other person can enjoy themselves with doing martial arts. I love martial arts and fighting systems, they're just enjoyable and are a way of self defence.