I am employeed by a university in Illinois. On campus I have seen most of the cults, the occult and many isam's. In the past while attending martial art's programs I have seen the people participating bow to the instructor and the room or building in which they were performing. Comments that were made cause me to question : is this another cult or religion.

Faris fsweet8@yahoo.com / csfas@eiu.edu

Please use first email address for reply's if possible.

-- Anonymous, January 26, 2000

Answers

Martial (military) arts have their roots in the eastern religions, mostly Buddhism, Tao and Shinto. Because of this, a lot of eastern concepts are brought into the martial arts. For instance, most martial artists believe that the body possesses an energy force, called the "chi," which can be channeled and directed by the martial artist, giving more energy to the punch or kick. This is similar to the Hindu idea of chakras and yoga, and is essentially the same concept from which acupuncture derives.

However, there are martial artists who teach and train using the forms of the eastern martial arts, but divorce it from its eastern mystical roots. Martial arts can teach self-confidence, respect for your elders (the bow to the instructor, or "sensei" in karate, is a sign of respect), coordination and self defense, and those aspects of it are positive. I have heard of several Christian martial arts places in my local area. I do not believe that the religious aspects must neccessarily be part-and-parcel with martial arts themselves ... but usually they are, so beware, if you are considering martial arts training.

-- Anonymous, January 26, 2000

There is no blanket answer here. I have known Christians who associated any marital arts as being in sin ... and I have known Christians who would jump in "hook, line and sinker" taking in whatever was taught.

I, my wife, and our 7-year-old son participate in Tang Soo Do Karate. This is a very traditional, Korean martial art. Our Sa Boom Nim (instructor) does not make a big issue of the religious aspects of martial arts. When we enter the Da Jang (classroom) we do bow and salute the flags (U.S. and Korean). Personally, I salute the U.S. flag. We do bow to show respect to each other, but it is a matter of respect ... that is all. We begin and end each teaching session with a quiet time. Some meditate, others practice their breathing, and a number of us who attend use it as a time to pray, thanking God for His gift of strength and our time of working out.

Our Sa Boom Nim will not allow anyone to call him "master." Even so, within the martial arts ranks, the word master is used in a different form than many of us are used to.

There are some disciplines that associate the religious aspect greatly ... many of the Chinese forms do. Others are strictly the physical aspect. And yes, there are a number of Christian martial arts studios around. There are two Christians martial arts associations I am aware of.

As in anything, Christians must be aware of what they are involved in. What is their maturity level? Can they filter through any "hooey" they might hear? Parents must be sure of what their children are being taught.

One other thought -- it would be GREAT if Christians could show the same respect for one another that is taught through martial arts.

Darrell H Combs

-- Anonymous, January 26, 2000

John and Darrell

Thanks for your explanations.They were helpful.

faris.

PS: John. Self defense for me is a good pair of running shoes.

fsweet8@yahoo.com

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2000

LOL!

Either that, or practice Monty Python's art of "How not to be seen." :-)

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2000