Is it a sin to study martial arts?

Question

I once heard someone say this.

And by martial arts, I mean things such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Ju Jitsu, Aikido, etc.

Answer 1

I studied martial arts back when I was in high school, and the only reason I can think of for why some Christians might consider martial arts sinful is that some arts and instructors teach Eastern religious practices along with the martial art. For instance, some teach meditation, and I think some others get into Buddhist spiritual practices and the like.

However, if you just study the art and leave that stuff alone, then you should be okay, even by Conservative Christian standards.

EDIT: I don't mean to imply that there is anything WRONG with Eastern religious practices. However, many Christian denominations would consider doing anything related to them sinful, and that is the point of the question being asked.

Answer 2

Is Martial Arts A Sin

Answer 3

No, it isn't. I thought that the problem with martial arts was the meditation, but I'm not certain, so don't quote me on this.

But as for the actual study of and participation in the various types, no, it is't a sin.

My son is a martial arts instructor. He participates in tournaments regularly.

Hope I helped. God bless you. †

P.S. Coolio is correct. It should be understood that the purpose is for self-defense, not to inflict pain and/or injury because you can.

You received several really great responses, that went in to greater detail than I did.

Answer 4

I have studied martial arts and religion nearly my whole life. I have never found even a suggestion to that effect. My wife is Christian and a purple belt in Kenpo. I study martial arts because I am a spiritual warrior and see the need for the physical to reflect the spiritual. Besides, you learn so much more than how to defend yourself. Discipline, courage, concentration, principle, meditation, and a general desire to be healthy.

The important thing is what you plan to use that knowledge for. What is your intent? Do you learn how to fight so that you can defend yourself and others? Or, do you learn so you can bully people? Action is not sin, intention is sin.


With Love,
Shane K.

Answer 5

no i am a practicing christian and have been for way longer then i have been doing the art of self defence i like to call it the science of bio mechanics so how can learning a science be a sin and where is it written in scripture that one shall not defend yourself the bible teaches if someone breaks into your home you have the right to defend your family if thats not a sin to defend whats yours then martial arts isnt a sin for martial arts was first created by the chinese in 500AC which we now know as Kung Fu and its one of the oldest but yet most effective means of self defence and so what if there is eastern religion in martial arts there are Buddhists who do what the Buddhists do and there still christian if you were an angry person and learnt it only to harm someone cause you know you can then yes thats a sin and your sensei would tell you to never come back they simply wouldnt teach you anymore cause martial arts is to be respected and not abused for it is extremly deadly knowledge you can kill someone very easily without proper respect and restraint so again if your gonna use it to harm others then yes it is a sin and you should stop right now but if your learning it for that one day for when someone does go to hurt you for no reason or without cause then no its not a sin

Answer 6

Of course not. In and of itself, studying martial arts is not a sin. Martial arts, however, can be used by a person to commit sin. But that has to do with the person, and not the study of martial arts. It's the same debate about guns. In and of themselves, guns are not wrong. It's people who use them to do bad things, or use them without regard to safety, who are acting wrong.

Answer 7

A martial art that uses occultic means would be sinful to study. Look at the history - nature of martial art. I personally would be aware of internal martial arts that draw on energy and chi and spirit etc. from an external source. Yoga positions for example are in forms of worship etc of deities outside of Jesus Christ. Research the history and background of martial art from various sources to gain insight into such activity.

It would be sinful to abuse the use of a legitimate form of self defense. E.g you decided to use your martial art prowess to beat up someone because you felt like it.

Kecharitomene

Answer 8

It's not a sin because you're not trying to hurt people when you spar. That person is your friend. You get really close to a person when you spar them. There are religions attached to martial arts like Taoism, but as long as we don't practice these other faiths, you'll be fine. Have fun, be safe and God bless, ROMVLVS FVRIVS

Answer 9

I know that many martial arts contain a spiritual part. This can actually be quite beneficial to see others beliefs (and respect them).

A fair bt of the stuff about inner peace is a great tool to know about how to calm yourself down and meditate etc.

No!

Happy Questioning

Answer 10

I would first ask why does one study the martial arts?

To defend oneself implies putting one in situations where such fighting is needed. Would it not be better to avoid such situations?

For true Christians, our warfare is spiritual not physical. So there is no benefit there.

Additionally, much of these disciplines have a religious element to them, some even mystical in nature. True Christians would want to avoid mixing anything in with true worship to keep it pure as God approves.