Do you think Jesus would appreciate all the violence in martial arts?

Question

I love our Lord and saviour. I pray for all of you who live lives of violence and anger. My gentle art of Aikido and Tae Kwon Do are great examples of sports for fun not intended to hurt anyone. We live in turbulant times and I wish to spread some love and truth in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. AMEN

I am very hurt by what some of you say. I love and not judge because the Lord is coming to judge us all. The Catholic religion is a wonderful religion and there is nothing wrong with it. I love Jesus and pray for you all.

Answer 1

Didn't the Bible say that the meek shall inherit the Earth?

meek - humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others.
synonyms: forbearing; yielding; unassuming; pacific, calm, soft. See gentle.

I've never heard it said that the Bible refers to the weak, helpless, feeble, apprehensive or timid shall inherit the Earth - those are different works with different meanings even though they are all used as synonyms.

In my mind, meek refers to exactly the same kind of thing martial arts (at least how I think of them - when they are a physical metaphor for a way of life) are supposed to train us to be. They are supposed to train us to be unassuming, humble, calm even under the provocation of others. To be yielding, forbearing and gentle. To be able to not have to attack because you have expanded your safety net. You don't have to start fights with words to try and stand toe to toe in a mental showdown of wills. You can remain calm in threatening situations and don't bring threatening situations to others.

I would like to think that is right - that's the kind of people that should inherit the Earth... regardless of whether its said in the Bible or elsewhere.

Edit - Saint G has a good point.... Interesting that the martial arts (among many other things like the spirit of the Olympic games, the establishment of democracy, etc.,...) have sort of found a way that religion seems to have lost. There have certainly been many arguments and fights over what is the better martial arts style, but I don't recall a whole lot of wars over martial arts styles. I can recall a great many wars and other atrocities based on what is the better religion.

Answer 2

You have some great answers by Sensei Scandal, Pugpaw, SiFu Frank and Stillcrazy. A few other did well too. I will not mention the names of the others. I'm not sure why some even bother to respond. I guess it goes back the Sensei Scandal question. Since there are so many great answer I will keep my comments brief. Martial Arts - Like Possum said it was designed for war or during the time of martial law. Self defense is included in it. Self Defense - This is a term that people use to define something similar to a crash course on martial arts. You do not learn the entire curriculum you learn a few techniques on how to escape if attacked or grabbed. Often this is a class for women and or children. Some use this as a way to market the real classes. The student should realize that the training that they have is sufficient and they need to know more and that they need more practice. Unfortunately there are those that leave a self defense class and believe that they are equipped to defend themselves if necessary. Martial Sport - This is not a term. In actuality it is just a sport. It is not budo. This a game or contest in which the athletes use a limited amount of techniques in order to win a contest or to build their ego. It has rules and a referee. Can a style be more? Within martial arts it should contain self defense. But there is much more repetition and training than is a basic self defense class. You will fine some techniques taken from martial art in the sport, but you lose the intent of the training. Sports intent is to win a trophy, medal, or contest and build your ego. Martial arts the intent is to survive by any mean necessary. Self defense class is to hopefully survive and promote your real martial arts class(recruitment). it is just a sample of the art.

Answer 3

I think Jesus would be fine with martial arts.

A true Martial art is as much about spiritual growth as they are about physical growth. I've done a few martial arts over the years and the first lesson always taught is that they are for self defense, period.

Also, take into account Shaolin monks. These guys are Buddhist, which means that in theory they hurt nothing, and apparently follow that rule quite closely. Yet they are some of the best martial artists in the world. When threatened, they are taught to end the conflict with as little damage dealt as possible.

I can't imagine anything being wrong with that philosophy.

Answer 4

It's hard to say what Jesus would say, however you do practice one of the most dangerous forms of the martial arts, Aikido. However, the arts aren't dangerous, it's how it's used as well as the person that uses it. Just like a firearm, a firearm is neither good nor evil, it's the person that pulls the trigger that determines good or evil.

Answer 5

Since when is Tae Kwon Do gentle? Sparring gets pretty rough.

I think if there is a Jesus, He won't care about people learning to defend themselves. That's just my opinion.

Answer 6

Every teacher that I have had was a true advocate of non-violence! If I was ever to use the techniques that I learned, I was to use them ONLY for self-defense, not to inflict pain on another.

I think that you are talking about the MIS-USE of martial arts.

Answer 7

you are the same as those you dislike ... your statement is judging others arround you! I perfer not to be hipocritical because I know that youcant have good with out bad ... good simply cant exsist . even in the old testiment God was vengeful and cruel at times. stick to your gentel arts and take up BJJ ! I hear it does translate to "the gentle Art" you might like it.

Answer 8

Think of the Karate Kid movie. Now how would Jesus hate that? I reckon he would be a fan. I can imagine Jesus doing a "Danielsen" on the bow of his fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee.. And I can imagine the "wax-on, wax-off" lesson being first taught to Moses by God when he was on Mt. Sinai..

Answer 9

do you think Jesus appreciates all the wars that his beliefs have made? what about the molester's in his church?

you see, there are many more dangers in religious fanaticism than in martial arts violence. fighting is violence between a few, wars are violence between millions.

how many kids die because of martial arts?
how many kids die in the name of god?

no contest.

does it excite you to be a bigot?

Answer 10

jesus who?yeah the catholic priests spread love to.to lots of little boys and girls.pity a few of them didn't know ma.piss of with your religion.if you want to ram religion down ppls throats well and good but do it in the religious section.
EDIT.personally i have nothing against religion but this is the wrong place.