Shaolin Arts

Originally Posted by daughter

Hi there. I used to do wado ryu karate, got up to green belt, but my husband has been very sick this year and I haven't had time to keep up with it. Also, I keep finding myself wondering whether it is very Christian to practise martial arts! Which is a question I'd like answering, as I did really love it.

Anyway, nice to have you on board. I'm wondering if I should refer to you as "grasshopper..."

Thanks for welcoming me on board! Also, you may call me grasshopper or whichever you prefer, as long as it's not vulgur. You stated you had a question you'd like answered as to whether or not practicing martial arts is Christian. Well, the way I view it is this (and this is strictly my opinion)....

Jesus wants us to have a body the size 10 amen? No really....The Lord does want us to be in shape. After all, our bodies are temples. Would you let the place where the Lord dwells get run down....no way....or at least I hope not! Also, the Lord wants us to take care of our bodies: physically, mentally, spiritually, & emotionally. Meditation can be good or bad. It's merely something you dwell on. Instead of focusing on emptying out all this bad stuff, I always do something extra. If you are emptied out, you should fill up. It's like ridding your body of toxins. What good is it unless you add the good nutrients for replenishment. Well, when you meditate & get rid of all the stress & negative energy & thoughts, etc....you should also concentrate on something good whether a favorite scripture verse (such as Jer. 29:11; Isa.; 40:27-31; Psalm 100; Gal. 02:20; Philp 04:13; Rom. 12:01,02; etc. Or you could even dwell on things you do well whether it be: cleaning, cooking, encouraging others, martial arts, etc. The point is WHAT are you dwelling on. You're not losing total consciousness & you're not out of control. I've heard all that before & what hogwash!!! Hope this helps. So, yes daughter, I do believe martial arts may be used in a Christian way.....plus, Jesus wants us to be safe.....and martial arts helps.

Originally Posted by daughter

What rugby do you play John? I played union at university, but I prefer to watch League.

I know, I know! I'm not terribly feminine, am I?

Wow, daughter, you played rugby!!!! I played tight-head prop for Keele University, and then played for UCL for a season. My boyfriend/fiance (now my husband), used to stand on the sidelines in the rain watching me get covered in mud.

Hey, Christian women are tough!!! I was particularly vicious as I couldn't wear glasses, and just used to plunge into the blur regardless. I never knew quite who I was dashing headfirst into.

You know, we must be related, somewhere along the line...

My ex decided he didn't like me playing rugby, and like a prat I stopped. Maybe I scared him!

Originally Posted by martialartist

Jesus wants us to be safe.....and martial arts helps.

So does a gun!

Or a sword, and we know what He had to say about them!!!

One of my sons signed up for a martial art course of some kind at university. Then the Lord told him not to do it. He says it was because of his attitude of mind; he was on the way to relying on what he could do, instead of relying on the Lord.
Doesn't apply to everyone, I'm sure, but an interesting thought.

[JM]

interesting topic one that i had started a thread on here

Jeff:

When I said Jesus wants us to defend ourselves & martial arts does that you said & so does a gun....well, but w/ a gun innocent people may get hurt. With martial arts you are merely DEFENDING yourself against your opponent. Innocent people are much much less likely to be hurt....plus it's cleaner. With a gun, you could have difficulty proving self-defense & the idea of spending my life in jail just doesn't appeal to me. Besides, what is more awesome than being able to share your story after being in a fight than saying, "....and I did it with my own bare hands....without a gun! Dude that rocks!" I mean really....come on, Jeff!

Daughter:

In a similar thread that was started by Jon that I wasn't aware of, you said, "I must admit, I wish I could be settled in my mind that it was okay, and carry on improving my katas etc... But I keep thinking, this was originally designed to injure others. I don't want to hurt folks."

Oh I can just hear my senseis right now saying a few things (to me)!
My instructor, sensei Tony would be saying to your comment: "I don't want to hurt folks," "HE'S TRYING TO KILL YOU!" He's right...did I just say that....scary!

Now, I'm not God (thank goodness for that or you'd all be in trouble!!!), but when I hear you say, "I wish I knew what God was telling me." in your other thread that Jon had originally started that I was unaware of (sorry, John)....well......don't wait until you've been raped, abused, had a gun to your head, pushed down a flight of stairs, punched in the face, had your back & head stomped on (literally) or whatever else to then say, "Now I know what God wanted me to do....defend myself." God does NOT want us to be someone's punching bag, doormat, sex toy, or anything else! He wants us to be thinking people & to use the brains he so graciously gave us!!!! He wants us to be able to stand up for ourselves because we flipping deserve it! We were created in His image, not to be used & abused all our lives! How could we EVER totally be sold out to Him, on fire for Him, living our lives without fear, guilt & shame if we're so stuck w/ garbage in our minds from being hurt 24/07? It's impossible except by His grace which is difficult to grasp if you've been through all that. Maybe instead of thinking God doesn't want us to do martial arts we should be grateful to have martial arts revealed to us. We were meant to use our minds, defend our lives, strengthen our bodies & defend the helpless not sit around reading our bibles 24/07, praying about whether we should do martial arts. Instead of praying about it, I'll assume God wants me to do martial arts or I wouldn't have received the opportunity & I'll go ahead w/ it until I can no longer. I'll consider it God's revelation that it's okay. There's some things that's good & some that's bad & there's others that it's okay as long as you are careful, don't do anything against His will or take advantage of it. I hate to say God doesn't care, but then again He's okay with some things as long as it doesn't bring others down or doesn't hurt us & I don't think martial arts hurts us. I think it teaches us how to take care of ourselves.

HOLY COW.....did I just say all that?!?! WHOA.....now that's scary!

[JM]

Originally Posted by martialartist

Jeff:

When I said Jesus wants us to defend ourselves & martial arts does that you said & so does a gun....well, but w/ a gun innocent people may get hurt. With martial arts you are merely DEFENDING yourself against your opponent. Innocent people are much much less likely to be hurt....plus it's cleaner. With a gun, you could have difficulty proving self-defense & the idea of spending my life in jail just doesn't appeal to me. Besides, what is more awesome than being able to share your story after being in a fight than saying, "....and I did it with my own bare hands....without a gun! Dude that rocks!" I mean really....come on, Jeff!

Daughter:

In a similar thread that was started by Jon that I wasn't aware of, you said, "I must admit, I wish I could be settled in my mind that it was okay, and carry on improving my katas etc... But I keep thinking, this was originally designed to injure others. I don't want to hurt folks."

Oh I can just hear my senseis right now saying a few things (to me)!
My instructor, sensei Tony would be saying to your comment: "I don't want to hurt folks," "HE'S TRYING TO KILL YOU!" He's right...did I just say that....scary!

Now, I'm not God (thank goodness for that or you'd all be in trouble!!!), but when I hear you say, "I wish I knew what God was telling me." in your other thread that Jon had originally started that I was unaware of (sorry, John)....well......don't wait until you've been raped, abused, had a gun to your head, pushed down a flight of stairs, punched in the face, had your back & head stomped on (literally) or whatever else to then say, "Now I know what God wanted me to do....defend myself." God does NOT want us to be someone's punching bag, doormat, sex toy, or anything else! He wants us to be thinking people & to use the brains he so graciously gave us!!!! He wants us to be able to stand up for ourselves because we flipping deserve it! We were created in His image, not to be used & abused all our lives! How could we EVER totally be sold out to Him, on fire for Him, living our lives without fear, guilt & shame if we're so stuck w/ garbage in our minds from being hurt 24/07? It's impossible except by His grace which is difficult to grasp if you've been through all that. Maybe instead of thinking God doesn't want us to do martial arts we should be grateful to have martial arts revealed to us. We were meant to use our minds, defend our lives, strengthen our bodies & defend the helpless not sit around reading our bibles 24/07, praying about whether we should do martial arts. Instead of praying about it, I'll assume God wants me to do martial arts or I wouldn't have received the opportunity & I'll go ahead w/ it until I can no longer. I'll consider it God's revelation that it's okay. There's some things that's good & some that's bad & there's others that it's okay as long as you are careful, don't do anything against His will or take advantage of it. I hate to say God doesn't care, but then again He's okay with some things as long as it doesn't bring others down or doesn't hurt us & I don't think martial arts hurts us. I think it teaches us how to take care of ourselves.

HOLY COW.....did I just say all that?!?! WHOA.....now that's scary!

Hey there im with you on that he doesnt want us to be a Mat that is walked on.. and over the years people have taken things i think out of context when they have quoted... the scripture about slapping on the cheek..

Heck i used to do Lau Gar Kung Fu and Karate.. and still enjoy watching a good bruce lee flick lol..

and the question comes in though, what else do you do when you are training? do you get into any of the meditation stuff?

also...though.. if david wilkerson had known karate and had beaten up a few of the gang members who mishandled him.. do you think he would have had much of an impact on them as much as he did.... probably not.

Same with Jesus.. if he had started beaten on the people who grabbed him and tried to kill him.. do you think he would have had such an impact.. probably not..

Truth is.. there is more to martial arts than just using the excuse.. God doesnt want us to be a mat.. I agree but as one who used to do martial arts and have seen what has been taught and why its taught... i have to wonder really if it will make your witness very effective

by the way excellent topic!