...or do they all involve yin yang, chi and other such concepts that take attention away from God and focus on the energy of the earth and the energy of the body?
2007-10-27 06:10:49 · 9 answers · asked by TarasBoutiqueAtEtsy 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim - In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Hello. We are Muslim so I understand your concerns. My son is in Tae Kwan Do, and I have had no issues with their philosophical approach. The only issue we will have to prepare for is when he get his black belt, hopefully next fall. There is a ceremony where the student washes the feet of his parent, which I think is a lovely symbol, but then after than they prostrate at the parent's feet. Prostration, called "sujuud", is a part of our worship in Islam and we are not allowed to make sujuud to anyone but God, so I am going to talk to his instructor and work out an alternative. I'm sure it will not be a big issue.
Nancy Umm Abdel Hamid
2007-10-27 08:00:09 · answer #1 · answered by UmmAbdelHamid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You CAN'T do martial arts without the use of the energy of the body! If you move, you are using your energy.
As far as martial arts that don't focus "chi", try wrestling, boxing and such. Likely you can look into non-Eastern Martial Arts, such as pancretia (sp?), French kick-boxing (savate) and other Western creations.
It's a shame that Christians think that everything that isn't mentioned in the Bible is necessarily dangerous. It really limits your world.
2007-10-27 13:19:23 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
God has nothing to do with martial arts. For obvious reasons, martial arts focus on the energy of the body and the earth, because it helps your art.
2007-10-27 13:14:54 · answer #3 · answered by Meatwad 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Totallychristiankarate.com
Most martial arts, even the "America" ones lend toward some "out there" stuff. In my opinion, even if there is a Christian instructor. If you live near a TCK school, I reccomend it. It's focus is using your body to worship God, and it is a very effective martial art.
2007-10-27 13:39:57 · answer #4 · answered by Adan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it depends on the instructor more than the art...shop around and observe what they teach in the classes.
My son (six years old) will earn his black belt in Tae Kwon Do in two weeks (assuming he passes the test *smile*). I'm going for my green belt. I've never encountered anything in the class that I thought was inconsistent with my Christian beliefs. In fact, I know the master that teaches the class we attend is a Christian. I don't know about his father (the grand master), but when he has spoken to the class, he's never said anything "anti-Christian".
They do teach us to respect our bodies and to respect other people...but that's consistent with God's message. The school we attend emphasizes respect and obedience to our parents, healthy eating habits, concentration, and giving 100% to everything you do. It rewards good grades in school, hard work in class, paying attention, and following the rules. They may not preach a Christian message during class, but I know that I feel closer to God when I'm taking care of my body and striving for excellence.
2007-10-27 13:37:27 · answer #5 · answered by KAL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is hard for a christian to find martial arts, or any activity for that matter that are 'spiritually sound'. However i've been a martial artist for over three years. Most if not all martial arts involve meditataion or other things that a christian wants to watch out for, your best bet is to find a christian instructor who will avoid those things.
If you honestly cannot find one, kickboxing or judo should be ones with least problems.
2007-10-27 13:16:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many martial arts forms that have no spiritual or philosophical component: Savate, LINE, SCARS, Modern Combatives, Sambo, Shootfighting, Brazilian Jujitsu, etc.
2007-10-27 13:16:18 · answer #7 · answered by marbledog 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. Get a 'christian instructor.
or
2. I presently do not know the name of it; but there is also an Israelly 'martial art'.
2007-10-27 13:28:12 · answer #8 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the more Americanized versions of any of them are fine; most are so far removed from their roots it is not even a part of it any more... if you need there is also kick-boxing, MMA shoot fighting... there's plenty out there
2007-10-27 13:16:48 · answer #9 · answered by Andre 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋