Sons Karate Event

[one love]

While I would like to simply offer congratulations, I am compelled to ask a question instead...

Should Christians participate in Karate? The martial arts have their roots in eastern religions, and promote meditation and tapping into one's ki or ch'i. Whether oriental martial arts, or india's yoga, Christians are increasingly adopting practices that are admittedly rooted in eastern paganism. (Consider this taoist's comments Christianity and Martial Arts - A Taoist's View, and this Christian's comments Martial Arts - Are They Harmless?)

Christians from those countries reject the practices, knowing first-hand their origins. But western Christians often deem them as harmless.

The same is true of Mexican piñatas. I was talking with some Mexican brothers, who told me that piñatas were used in pagan rituals, and therefore Christians shouldn't use them. And it is thought that they're just birthday party favors!

I know christian Karate instructors, it is discipline and self defense.
Chuck norris was a christian was he not?


I love boxing as well. Foot ball can knock you unconscious so can any sport. Most Karate schools are not focused on any religious activity at all, just training.
I respect your view Brother and why you are feeling that way, so dont think I am saying you are legalistic or anything



Boxing vs strippers is a stretch !!!!! Boxing is not sinful it is a sport, I think we can all agree that stripping would be sinful.
I do feel many Christians have accpeted wordly things and attached Christianity to the name and it is accepted so I do understand I just dis agree on this topic. I dont see how one could think boxing or karate is wrong when there is no religous standing behind them.

What about Police and army training? Many come from some type of martial arts, is that wrong to be either?

[free]

Congrats to your son!

[Shellie]

Good going and congrats!

[MacUser]

Thanks for the positive encouraging words!

[MacUser]

Awesome man!!!! I am wanting to put Toby in Karate classes soon!!! He will be 5 this month.

We started out Boy Scouts and ended up Taekwon-Do. The personal confidence, exercise training and self discipline is great. My son started when he was 6. He is currently a green belt going for his blue belt in a few soon weeks.





This is a photo I took late last year of his instructor and few (no where near all) kids at the end of a class. He is a great guy. Strong in discipline and knows how to motivate all while having a fun challenging time. Yes, I did the school logo. It's called "CAT Karate" for short. Thus the flaming Tiger idea.

[one love]

Awesome man!!!! I am wanting to put Toby in Karate classes soon!!! He will be 5 this month.

We started out Boy Scouts and ended up Taekwon-Do. The personal confidence and self discipline is great. My son started when he was 6. He is currently a green belt going for his blue belt in a few soon weeks.





This is a photo I took late last year of his instructor and few (no where near all) kids at the end of a class. He is a great guy. Strong in discipline and knows how to motivate all while having a fun challenging time. Yes, I did the school logo. It's called "CAT Karate" for short. Thus the flaming Tiger idea.

is that scooter

[Dr. Ron]

Be very proud of your son.....

The president of Great Plains Seminary, one school I attended, started the Christian Martial Arts Association. He is a 10th degree black belt and taught karate while in the Marine Corps.

He is a fine and gentle man of God who believes we should be prepared for any eventuallity. He also carries a 9! I asked him why a 10th degree needed a 9 and he said it was for those times when things get "beyond your reach".

Good going !!!!! My best regards to the young man.

[Paully_44]

Musical genres... are there only SOME genres that are holy?

Of course. The rock haters told me it that it was "southern gospel".

[Pastor Bill]

While I would like to simply offer congratulations, I am compelled to ask a question instead...

Should Christians participate in Karate? The martial arts have their roots in eastern religions, and promote meditation and tapping into one's ki or ch'i. Whether oriental martial arts, or india's yoga, Christians are increasingly adopting practices that are admittedly rooted in eastern paganism. (Consider this taoist's comments Christianity and Martial Arts - A Taoist's View, and this Christian's comments Martial Arts - Are They Harmless?)

Christians from those countries reject the practices, knowing first-hand their origins. But western Christians often deem them as harmless.

The same is true of Mexican piñatas. I was talking with some Mexican brothers, who told me that piñatas were used in pagan rituals, and therefore Christians shouldn't use them. And it is thought that they're just birthday party favors!

This is a long thread and I haven't workded through all of it yet, but I do want to respond to the initial question here.

I trained in the martial arts for many years, and while I have let my Academy dues go, so I am no longer registered, and I have not actually continued training for many years, I worked my way up to the rank of first degree black belt, and was a born again Christian when I earned it.

The SPORT of karate teaches many things, and I would not be the man I am today if it were not for some of that training and it's effect on my life. My teacher was not into the religious history of the sport, so none of that was pushed onto the students.

Something like this is what you make it, yes there are teachers and dojos that push eastern religion, but that is not the norm, let alone a good generalization of all.

[Pastor Bill]

Boxing is not a value neutral activity. How is it value neutral to punch another person until they lose conciousness or otherwise knock them to the ground? While not questioning one's salvation, yet how can anyone whose activities are rooted in the works of the flesh (i.e. envyings, strife, emulations, wrath) be spiritual?

Paul did say the bodily exercise profiteth, albeit "little." "But godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

The wisdom of this world is earthly (carnal), sensual (not necessarily sexual, but appealing to the senses), devilish (promoted by our adversary).

So-called christian "genres of music" that cater to our carnal man, and our senses, is also not "value neutral."

Feats and tests of strength were very common in biblical times, and probably more violent than modern boxing. and this isn't even to mention Jacob's wrestling match! It seems you are reading alot into what you feel is appropriate for a Christian.

You may not be comfortable with the violence, but I think you would be pressed to find scripture that addresses violence in competition or sport.

While I haven't done much boxing, I have (as I said) been involved in the martial arts, and I will tell you as violent as you think it may be, the instruction on controlling your temper and tempering your actions, respect for one another and for your teachers and elders, fits a Christian worldview, and for the most part is lacking in our schools and churches today.

[MacUser]

Be very proud of your son.....

The president of Great Plains Seminary, one school I attended, started the Christian Martial Arts Association. He is a 10th degree black belt and taught karate while in the Marine Corps.

He is a fine and gentle man of God who believes we should be prepared for any eventuallity. He also carries a 9! I asked him why a 10th degree needed a 9 and he said it was for those times when things get "beyond your reach".

Good going !!!!! My best regards to the young man.

Thanks Dr. Ron and Pastor Bill.

Yes.. his instructor said once in a class that if you ever did enter the Military as a black belt they typically "retain you" for the training of others. Your knowledge was more important to train others.

On being proud.. you absolutely know I am.. regardless if he places or not. It takes something inside of you to get out in that strong environment and compete.

He is going for his Blue Belt on April 8th. That's halfway to Black Belt (at 8 years old). Say a prayer it all goes well with the regional Grandmaster.

[Paully_44]

I know you'd be proud, as you should be.

Are you into Martial Arts as well? If not, what interested your son to pursue it?

[Dr. Ron]

My associate pastor's son, was a black belt at 17. He is a bad dude. Never had to use it in anger.....but never had anyone challenge him either....they just knew it would not be wise.

Bo Robinson....some may recall him, was a high degree black belt. He trained with some very heavy duty dudes.

[MacUser]

I know you'd be proud, as you should be.

Are you into Martial Arts as well? If not, what interested your son to pursue it?

Thanks. That's a loaded question. They say that you do for your kids that which you wanted to do as a child. So I guess I always did in some manner and never found the time.

We started out briefly in boy scouts... only to find it highly unorganized locally. Where we met was next door to where this instructor was just starting up and after meeting with him and having some heart to heart chats.. my son decided he would try it and loves it to this day.

It challenges him and offers mental discipline and he is naturally gifted in being extremely flexible etc. He is only 1 of 2 kids (other female) in his class that can easily do the splits on command and perform the same advanced exercises as a black belt. Extremely limber and able to execute some very high kicks for his size etc.

That all combined with the historical and Korean language learning makes for something he can personally enjoy for life.

I follow along with him at home like a motivational coach and we work out some on the punching bag as I am still fairly flexible myself ( gets it from his dad - lol ).. but I just don't have the brain power to do what these kids can do now. They can learn so extremely fast the most complicated forms and movements.

[MacUser]

Never had to use it in anger......

Yes, I have seen this. If anything you feel like they should get angry.. but it works the opposite. They learn not rage.. but emotional control and confidence as it's not unpredictable but predictable as to what they are going to do etc.


On my observances.. we could coop several key elements into teaching Christ. In Jujitsu, before you are trained at all.. you have to learn how to FALL first. When you fall.. if you slap the ground before impact.. it will reduce the blow your body feels and can save broken bones and different trauma. It's only after this technique is learned.. can you be trained in that art.

Apply that to Christians. Once converted .. YOU CAN'T FAIL. And WHEN (not if) you do you are devastated if not kicked out by your Church and it seems hopeless. If we can train the young Christian.. HOW to FALL and teach them how to lesson the impact and GET BACK UP - because you will screw up on something for some reason... imagine that concept. Then real adult growth can continue.

Hopefully I explained that clearly.
God Bless