is martial arts a religion?

Question

people always arguing over whose style is the best kind of reminds me of religion wars and whose is right
what do you think

Answer 1

With the intensity and duration that a lot of people practice them, one would think that Martial Arts are a religion, but the best of practitioners will tell you that no, they are not, in themselves, a religion per-say.
Almost all martial arts, especially the Oriental ones, are based in religion, particularly Buddhism, and an extensive study of the arts usually leads to, and includes study of its' derivative religion, although this is not always the case.
The argumentative comparison of martial arts styles, right up there with "who builds a better car", has nothing to do with the basis of religion, and the greatest Masters of all arts will, and have, said so.

Answer 2

No, Martial Arts is NOT a religion. all this BS over the "best" discipline is just people's pride (or better yet, ignorance) that makes them act stupid or foolish.

The whole "my dad can beat up your dad" mentality, but this time the Martial Arts are the focus.

unfortunately, this kind of childish mindset has been going on for hundreds of years, and it's never gonna stop until these people realize that NO discipline is better than another, and that they ALL come from the same basis or principles.

Answer 3

I think we (humans) are self-oriented beings, and therefore, we always look to be superior or to have right about what we do.

But we are NOT THAT self-oriented and that's why we need the others' approval. So we tend to ask: "do you think that this (I do) is the best?"

The difference with religion is that religion (or it's misinterpretation) it is really the cause of wars. Do you imagine a war between martial artists? Would be bizarre

Answer 4

tools are not religious, but the person using them may be.

martial arts has no religious dogma attached unless the user applies it. spiritual is not religious. spiritual is open to growth, religion is closed to growth.

people argue over how to make a perfect Eggs Benedict too, but there is no religion involved. though just like many religious arguments, the fact remains that many people are blind to their own doom, as they have never viewed anything but their own ways, and never challenged their tuition or personal beliefs. they go through life believing they are awesome, when they are not.

people argue to try to open the eyes of the foolish, but as history has shown, the wise man points at the moon, and the fool looks at the wise mans finger!

Answer 5

martial arts is not a religion, its spiritual. there is no god in martial arts or all knowing entities, it is about the connection between body and mind, it is internal, you are your own god and how you interact with the world is part of the path you choose. and just like religion, there is no one greatest martial art ever, its just what works for you. whoever wins a fight between two styles was just having a better day becaues tomorrow the loser could be the winner and the roles could switch every day.

Answer 6

Martial arts is NOT a religion. People get just as passionate about politics, favorite teams, favorite athletes. Listen to college sports or NASCAR fans sometime.

Answer 7

No

HOWEVER...

Some martial arts are used as tools to give people INSIGHT into their religion. This is especially true with Buddhism and Taoism.

i.e.; "Know Thyself!"

Answer 8

depends how you look at it.basiclly religion is a way of life and beliefs.so i would say yes based on that.would i start a war and send millions of ppl to the gas chamber based on my zen religion? no.like i said it's how the individual wants to look at it.
PS.bushido is a way of life,faith and belief so i do see it as a religion based on zen but unlike most religions it's not fanatical unrealism.

Answer 9

No, some schools do focus on meditation and finding your inner chi and stuff, but some schools have absolutely no "religious" practices what so ever.

Answer 10

Thankyou everyone for answering