CHRISTIANS ONLY__do you think karate is ok to practice even if your christian? is tai-chi bad? is mokuso bad?

Answer 1

I find these kinds of Christian questions questions about MA or Yoga humorous. Christians are so afraid that satan is lurking out there, disguised as a yoga teacher to tai chi instructor, and that he will lure them away from their faith. Give yourself more credit and THINK for yourself instead of letting the church do it for you.

Answer 2

Karate is a good thing, so is Tai Chi and so on.

The Bible says that bodily exercise profiteth nothing but does that mean you can't use it to take care of the Temple of the Living GOD?

There are, however, certain rituals that are paganistic within some of these arts.

Ancestor veneration, Bowing and others.

In Capoeira you sing to deities for blessings.

I have the photos of my art's founders or masters as a way to identify my lineage.

I do not teach bowing towards any directions or anything. I teach it as escaping techniques, which are devastating.

In yoga you perform the sun and moon exercise. This is paganism.

I do Mokuso standing, sitting or in seiza just to take a breather and clear your thoughts. You can meditate on The Word.

Paul says: Be ye not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the RENEWING of your mind. (probably not the exact quote)

Use Strongs Exhaustive Concordance to see the Greek word used and its meaning. It is enlightening.

Great question!

Answer 3

I will admit right away, that although I was born into a protestant family and country I am not now a religiously oriented individual. That said though, I've had a lot of experience of martial arts and religion, including Christianity.

Martial arts training has NOTHING to do with religion, though it has much to do with spirituality, moral virture, character, and many other qualities most religions would wish to promote and recognize.

There are many Christian martial art schools around the world in most disciplines. Far from being "bad" any of these martial art disciplines would probably be benificial to the truly devout.


Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 4

I have met a few Christians that felt martial arts was inappropriate or certain aspects of it like inner strength or the combative aspects bad and were threatened by them or their children being taught something like that. Of course these people drive cars, use phones, watch television, eat fast food, and do all the other ordinary things that most God-fearing and God-believing people do-they are just threatened more by the martial arts aspects than those creature comforts I guess. That pretty much tells me that their view on Christianity is a little skewed and probably no amount of intelligent conversation or reasoning between them or myself about those aspects that they are so threatened by is going to make a difference or change their way of thinking.

I have also found that those people above tend to generally be the exception. There are many good martial artists, athletes and other people in all walks of life that are secure in their religion and its believes and seem to be able to juggle it all be happy and at peace with what they are doing and how it all fits, like a puzzle, without being overwhelmed or have their religious beliefs threatened who are good Christians.

Answer 5

I have made the sign of the cross before every Tournament for the last thirty years!!
There is "more" people of faith in Boxing,Karate,Judo,and Wrestling than any other form of sports,I am sure!
The tenants I have been taught through Martial Arts are the same as I remember from Bible study as a little kid.
Honesty
Defense of others
Respect
Proper Manners
Humility
Truthfulness
Honor

Answer 6

Karate-- OK? Absolutely!

Nope, Tai Chi isn't "bad" --it's actually supposed to be very healthy for you.

I don't know about mokuso, but I'm sure it'll be fine.

I'm Christian; I have been in Tae Kwon Do for 5 years. It's a sports-oriented school so there are no religious overtones there.

You might encounter some religious overtones in a traditional dojo/dojang, but it's unlikely.

Check out this page: http://www.christianmartialartist.com/boborlando.html#bob

and this page: http://www.christianmartialartist.com/finding_ma_school.html

God bless! :-)

Answer 7

People used it to justify something that had absolutely nothing to do with atheism. Kinda like they do with Christianity or any other set of religious beliefs that seem to be centered upon "the golden rule". Why I can see that similarity and others cannot I find confusing. More so when people who don't even claim to follow a particular belief try to define it for somebody else and will argue that with the other person ad infinitum. I did not see your other question but hope it was similarly phrased to separate politics and government as excluded and that Christianity is listed as simply a belief in Christ and not anything more or less than that.

Answer 8

Martial arts are perfectly fine. If you watch any contact sport such as MMA, boxing or Tae Kwon Do, the fighters embrace and congratulate each other at the end. This shows a mutual respect for each other, which is in line with Christian teachings.

Your question is kind of the same as saying that if I watch Star Wars, I become a Jedi...

Answer 9

I'm am a Christian and I have been doing competitive martial arts for over nine years. Actually, there is a karate/martial arts team for Christians called K.I.C.K Team (Karate in Christ's Kingdom). I incorporate God into my martial arts by praying before each performance and thanking God after each performance. I don't see a problem with being Christian and being a martial artist. God wants us to use our talents, right?

God Bless

Answer 10

It depends if you're a real Christian or one of these new fangled Pat Robertson, use the name Christian to make a billion bucks-Christian. For them, there's very little they won't stand against, if it makes them money. But, if you're talking about Christ, as in Jesus? Well then, I don't think he would have avoided any place just because there were people who didn't agree with him on every little thing he thought. After all, he went to church twice, and the second time went karate all over those who were using church to make money. (much like Pat Robertson) He hung out with whores and samaritans. (who weren't even a similar religion) And the word mokuso means meditate. Jesus went into the desert to do mokuso for 40 days where he was tempted by Satan. Now, if your'e afraid meditation will make you examine your faith, and may find a thorn (to use biblical terminology) in it, then by all means, meditate. I found a beam in mine, and have spent many years in my own Dark night of the soul. Even Mother Theresa of Calcutta found a thorn in her faith.

Answer 11

Depends on the syle you are interested in persuing. I have trained in Tae Kwon Do for the last 17 years and have obtained a 4th degree black belt. TKD teaches only self defense. It's principles are very much Christian-like. The TKD code is:
Help other
Respect others
Be honest
Always stand by the weak
I now teach and can tell you that I have touched MANY young lives. My instructor is VERY Christian, as am I and it is awsome to be able to share the knowledge (bot in TKD and in Chritianity) with the next generation, that he shared woth me.