You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
Philosophical DiscussionDo you have a philosophical view to martial arts styles, training, etc. ?
I believe that many religions and philosophies have a lot to say on this subject. I know that the Shaolin, which if I'm correct were Buddhist, believed that by fighting, they were only refusing the harm that was intended on them.
In Christianity, which is constantly criticized when it comes to people of our profession (fighting), there is much that a lot of people never hear about.
Whenever a Christian MAist is confronted about martial arts conflicting with his religion, it is probably by using the passage from Jesus about turning the other cheek, and letting and offender have your coat. Funny thing is, this seems to be out of context, because there are totally different messages throughout the Bible. In Ecclesiastes (old testament) King Solomon talks about how there is a time for everything under the sun, including a time to hate, a time to fight, and a time to kill. These are messages that we don't think of as being Christian like, but throughout the Bible, God showed many acts of justice by destroying cities and killing men.
So from my standpoint (a Christian Martial Artist) there is no conflict with my religion, because it says in the Bible that there is a time to fight. God prepared Israel's nation for battles throughout the Bible, so Christianity cannot be considered a completely peaceful, non-violent religion.
Same goes for Islam. People die, and fight with all their might for their religions sake. Islam is by no means a violent religion, just like Christianity isn't, but violence comes into play, and cannot be ignored.
I am sure that their are probably religions that completely discredit violence, but there are not many. If you are Christian and you think that violence and fighting are completely wrong under any circumstance, than I suggest you read your Bible and learn your religion a little better.
I know that by being Christian, anything I say is going to sound biased, and I don't mean for it to. The point I am making is that all of these "peace centered" religions that people think consider violence a sin aren't completely peace centered, and all acknowledge the fact that there is indeed a time for violence (e.g. being attacked or your family is in danger).
From what I have seen and heard, I can live in peace knowing that my passion (martial arts) is most definitely not sinful, and can come in handy if it must.
Though I agree with most of your post, Buddhism, per the type at Shaolin, wasnt about refusing harm on them. They were a self-reliant commune and really didn't go out the sanctuary of the temple.
People confuse this branch of Buddhism, with others whereas the Buddhists go around with begging bowls. Though this practice had more to do with tradition/legend than actually acquiring funds.
__________________ What do I know? Since I didn't post my styles or experience, I have no experience, no knowledge, no say.
That post before mine, was that for post counting? How about the one after?
Hey, my post count has the same palaverment tone as anyone elses'
This is the first time that I had heard someone refered to the Martial Arts as being sinful. Maybe it's becuase I don't get out much though.
I am not a very religious person but am spiritual. I wouldn't say what most Martial Artist train for is being a sin. Most of whom I have met through the years train for the protection of themselves or others they hold dear to them. Most also train for the physical and centering benefits that come from the study.
I would never train for such things like MMA fights. But I do have a respect for those that do. It's just not my sort of thing. I can see where people could argue that such fighting for a paycheck could be considered a sin though.
Religion is as the individual interprets it. So whether or not you're doing what God wants, he's not going to tell you what's right and wrong himself is he? It's up to you to use your own free will to take martial arts or not as a religious person.
__________________
Ah, Steven Seagull, I bet nobody's thought of that before.
Religion is as the individual interprets it. So whether or not you're doing what God wants, he's not going to tell you what's right and wrong himself is he? It's up to you to use your own free will to take martial arts or not as a religious person.
I guess it depends. If you are an uninformed Christian, you might say that it's a sin to fight, because of "let them strike the other cheek as well".
But a more informed Christian might argue that it also says that there is a time to hate, and a time to fight according to the Old Testament.
It depends on how much someone knows about their own religion, or what they choose to believe that influences their decisions.
Religion is as the individual interprets it. So whether or not you're doing what God wants, he's not going to tell you what's right and wrong himself is he? It's up to you to use your own free will to take martial arts or not as a religious person.
Not always the case, as it is the zealots of religions who overcome others easily sueded.
__________________ What do I know? Since I didn't post my styles or experience, I have no experience, no knowledge, no say.
That post before mine, was that for post counting? How about the one after?
Hey, my post count has the same palaverment tone as anyone elses'
I was on yahoo answers and someone had posted the question is MMA a sin. With a slight variation,I ask, is everything to do with Martial Arts in general a sin(training, competition, fights, intent on knocking someone out for money etc)
Here is my two cents; one hand we have the "eye or an eye & tooth for a tooth" line, the "turn the other cheek" line and "take all your belongings and if you own a coat and not a sword sell the coat and buy a sword" line. What this means is much debated but purly simple with a little education and thought.
First, the line "an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth" is reference to defending yourself and justified relatiation. Means that if a you lose an eye, take the aggressor's eye but no more. You are limited to defending yourself to the equal effect/intent of your attacker.
Second, the "turn the other cheek" line comes from the do not return insult for insult. In hebrew culture if a man corrected his children or wife he did so with a slap only. Men did not beat their wives but crazy woman trying to hit her husband with a broom stick for example was to be set straight with a slab to the face to end histeria. It was a far different culture back then, and woman didn't have equal rights or any of that stuff as they do today. Nt trying to sound sexiat but it was the way of the world at the time.
The last line I mention of Jesus' command to his disciples prior to a full scale Roman invasion. While Jesus had told the jews to leave everything and run for the mountains he also told many of them to "buy a sword (dagger)" meaning they they should be prepared to defend themselves. And again how do they defend themselves doing only as much damage as done to them...
There are several lines in the bible that shows that Jesus Christ was not as passive as many modern day preachers and religious groups claim he was. Infact since suicide is a sin, it only makes sense for not defending yourself to be sin as well. So learning to defend yourself is fine, learning to harm others for the power it gives you is a sin...
__________________
My Personal Mantra:
Where I walk, I walk alone...
Given unto the winds, I am free...
And yet a slave to my own soul...
There are several lines in the bible that shows that Jesus Christ was not as passive as many modern day preachers and religious groups claim he was. Infact since suicide is a sin, it only makes sense for not defending yourself to be sin as well. So learning to defend yourself is fine, learning to harm others for the power it gives you is a sin...
I knew and understood this. But some Christians do not and tend to re-arrange the words to their own interpretation(s).
__________________ What do I know? Since I didn't post my styles or experience, I have no experience, no knowledge, no say.
That post before mine, was that for post counting? How about the one after?
Hey, my post count has the same palaverment tone as anyone elses'
I knew and understood this. But some Christians do not and tend to re-arrange the words to their own interpretation(s).
Thats true of any religion, human nature is to re-write the "laws" divine or man made to suit their own needs. Allot of people use an "eye for an eye" as if gives them the right to hurt others for projected slights. But the reality is the verse limits the degree one may retaliate a situation.
Also allot of Christians don't realize their are catagories of chirstians,
Cathilics...
Duh... The first group to call themselves Christians, a mix of various Roman cults, paganism & Christan (at the time a sect of Judism).
Prodistants...
Those who left Catholism to follow the strick teachings of the New Testamant. Many times picking and choosing what they feel will aid their personal views.
New-Age/Agostic Christians...
Often those who belive in a universal god, so that they mix and match religions quite commonly. Some of this is fine, since there is a common thread between the four major "God religions" Christianity, Judism, Islam & Zoroastria (the Three Wisemen may have been Zorostrian Magi from Persia). In other cases such as mixing various Shamanist, Pagan or purely making up gospel based on personal views is questioning.
Evangelistic Jews...
Either, Jews who convert to Christianty but keep the "Jewist title" or Christians who don't feel a seperation between the two religions so they call themselves "Jews" as Christ was infact Jewish and never mentioned a seperation of the Jewish people.
__________________
My Personal Mantra:
Where I walk, I walk alone...
Given unto the winds, I am free...
And yet a slave to my own soul...
is Martial arts a sin
Linear Mode
