martial arts and the christian

[wayne]

so is it ok for a christian to train in the martial arts,i think it is but
their are some things i think that are not acceptable such as praying and
worshipping other gods or deities - i know some christians are against bowing -
what do you think???

[Jayne Kulikauskas]

wa...@worthyemail.com (wayne) writes:

I take taekwondo and find it compatable with Christianity. The
bowing we do there is a sign of greeting and a sign of respect.
It is sometimes used like shaking hands or sometimes like
saluting. It is never an act of worship.

No gods or deities are ever mentioned. We sometimes have a few
minutes of silent meditation. I use this time to meditate on
Christian ideas.

The tenets of taekwondo are courtesy, integrity, perseverence,
self-control and indomitable spirit. These seem to me to be
consistent with the Christian virtues described in the Bible. I
expect my martial arts training to assist me to grow as a
Christian.

Jayne

[Richard Alexander]

wa...@worthyemail.com (wayne) wrote in message news:<FXUd9.10423$lG5....@nwrddc03.gnilink.net>...

> so is it ok for a christian to train in the martial arts,

What are you calling a "martial art"? Defendo? Ju jitsu? Karate? Judo?
Boxing? Drunken boxing? Kick boxing? Yoga? Tai Chi?

I don't consider Defendo, Yoga or Tai Chi as martial arts, though
Defendo is partly derived from some martial arts.

> i think it is but their are some things i think that are not acceptable
> such as praying and worshipping other gods or deities

There is controversy whether such things exist in martial arts, and,
if so, how essential they are to martial arts.

I have never formally trained in any martial art (that is, by a
certified instructor in a formal setting). I have had a little bit of
exposure to it, though, and I don't see a reason that a particular
religion need be espoused. There is a philosophy or mindset that is
necessary, which for me is mostly the mindsets of balance and flow.

> - i know some christians are against bowing - what do you think???

Some Christians are opposed to violence or fighting; some are even
opposed to self-defense. Mennonites, for example, do not believe that
it would be acceptable for their members to join the police force or
hold a governmental office, much less join the military.

Maybe you should learn more about your own religious beliefs before
getting in too deeply in something that might be offensive to you?

[mct]

no matter what you do there is going to be loads of elitist christians who
wouldn't do it and believe you are going to hell. so go do it, you're going
to hell anyway

"wayne" <wa...@worthyemail.com> wrote in message
news:FXUd9.10423$lG5....@nwrddc03.gnilink.net...

[Dean S. Lautermilch]

I have seen Christian organizations that do teach martial arts without the
Eastern mysticism.
Here is one as an example http://www.christiankaratecenter.com/

I had a few friends and acquaintances get into it a bit too heavily and saw
how it changed their lives. I was alarmed at the over confidence a few of
the displayed in their behavior as if they were indestructible. A typical
teenager is bad enough thinking they are immortal without amplifying it with
martial arts.

"wayne" <wa...@worthyemail.com> wrote in message
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