What about . . . MARTIAL ARTS?
“Popularized through movies and exercise classes, this Eastern tradition has strong roots in the occult, despite its apparently benign adaptability to Western culture.” ( Bob Larson)
“Martial Arts are various fighting sports such as Karate, Kung fu, T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Ninjutsu, the beginnings of which date back to almost 3000 B.C. The varieties of fighting styles are united by a spiritual center rooted in Taoism and Buddhism. Buddhist monk Bodhidharma is believed to be the originator of martial arts. The religious significance of the arts lies in the harmonizing of life forces (Yin and Yang) and the ability to harness CH’I. Many who practice the martial arts do so without an awareness of the religious nature of the sport.” (Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and The Occult; and Healing Through Deliverance, Peter Horrobin.)
Symbols: A spiral configuration from the I-Ching representing the belief in reincarnation and cyclical evolution; double fish shown as a curved line in the shape of an S bisecting a circle. One side is dark with a small white dot in it and the other side is light with a small dark dot in it. This represents the harmonizing opposites of yin and yang (“a little evil in all good and a little good in all evil”).
Bowing to the sensei (honorable teacher) and the piercing yell (kiyai) are only two examples of the ancient spiritual disciplines designed to harmonize the body with the energy forces of the universe in order to achieve religious enlightenment.
The centuries-old practices of martial arts caught on in America when servicemen returning from World War II brought back the “arts” from the Pacific. Well known martial arts film stars such as David Carradine and Bruce Lee were known for exploring the spiritual depths of martial arts. Lee died an untimely, mysterious death and Carradine hung himself accidentally during a perverse sex act.
Buddhist founder, Bodhidharma’s system combined kung fu with the philosophical principles of Zen to develop a highly sophisticated form of weaponless fighting. Kung fu emphasizes force to break force. It also includes the striking of vital points, delayed action “death touches”, and the use of psychic powers.
One of the West’s foremost Tai Chi teachers, T.T. Liang, states, “The ultimate goal of learning and practicing Tai Chi is to become an immortal.”
The term “karate” means “empty hand”. The emphasis on bowing (a sign of worship), breathing exercises, seated meditation, intense concentration, and heightened awareness, in imbedded with
Zen philosophy. Its stated purpose is to unite mind, body, and spirit to achieve the unity envisioned by Zen (a distinctly pagan practice strictly forbidden by scripture).
The term “aikido” means “the road to a union with the universal spirit”. The body movements in this practice focus on the power of ki, which is inhaled into the lower abdomen and exhaled through the hands. A tenth-degree black belt aikido instructor from Japan states of his art, “We created a universal harmony that ties together all of the worlds, the phenomenal world we see around us, the world of the kind of spirits we cannot see, and the pure world of energy.”
While it may be true that the various disciplines of martial arts have different forms, they all have similar religious backgrounds, foundations, and goals. Because of their roots in Taoism and Buddhism, they view the entire universe as interplay of harmonizing yin and yang. These principles are expressed by the relaxed state of movements.
Followers of Zen believe that enlightenment may be shared by sending forth ki (C’hi) to illuminate the spiritual darkness of the world. Whether the form of martial arts one practices is based on the doctrine of naturalism found in Taoism or the doctrine of illusion found in Buddhism, the philosophical basis of both explicitly deny the blood atonement of Jesus Christ. To Christians, salvation comes by the finished work of the cross, where Christ was sacrificed for our sin. It is by His resurrection that we have eternal life. Salvation in Zen is achieved by comprehending the divine essence of man, who is manifestation of the Universal Soul. Involvement in the martial arts implies an inherent approval of the religious principles behind them.
The religious and philosophical roots of martial arts presupposes a pantheistic perception of the cosmos. Even the cautious student runs the risk of being conditioned by the techniques that pursue a goal of impersonal oneness with the universe. The Taoistic and Buddhist principles are an integral part of fulfilling the ultimate spiritual aims of martial arts. Practices rooted in false religions cannot be “Christianized” by praying prior to or afterward, nor by playing praise and worship music while executing them.
“O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord. For you have forsaken your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with eastern ways.” Is. 2:5-6
“Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist.” (I John 4:3)
“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Sources: Castro, Cropeza, & Rhodes, Christian Research Journal; East-West Journal; Logan & Petras, Handbook of the Martial Arts and Self-Defense; The History and Philosophy of Kung Fu; Aikido in Daily Life; Larson’s Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality.
“Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:11
Feel free to pass this on to anyone who might benefit from it.
Compiled by: Safe Harbor Ministries
Tim and Beth Scott
[email protected]
“Popularized through movies and exercise classes, this Eastern tradition has strong roots in the occult, despite its apparently benign adaptability to Western culture.” ( Bob Larson)
“Martial Arts are various fighting sports such as Karate, Kung fu, T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Ninjutsu, the beginnings of which date back to almost 3000 B.C. The varieties of fighting styles are united by a spiritual center rooted in Taoism and Buddhism. Buddhist monk Bodhidharma is believed to be the originator of martial arts. The religious significance of the arts lies in the harmonizing of life forces (Yin and Yang) and the ability to harness CH’I. Many who practice the martial arts do so without an awareness of the religious nature of the sport.” (Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and The Occult; and Healing Through Deliverance, Peter Horrobin.)
Symbols: A spiral configuration from the I-Ching representing the belief in reincarnation and cyclical evolution; double fish shown as a curved line in the shape of an S bisecting a circle. One side is dark with a small white dot in it and the other side is light with a small dark dot in it. This represents the harmonizing opposites of yin and yang (“a little evil in all good and a little good in all evil”).
Bowing to the sensei (honorable teacher) and the piercing yell (kiyai) are only two examples of the ancient spiritual disciplines designed to harmonize the body with the energy forces of the universe in order to achieve religious enlightenment.
The centuries-old practices of martial arts caught on in America when servicemen returning from World War II brought back the “arts” from the Pacific. Well known martial arts film stars such as David Carradine and Bruce Lee were known for exploring the spiritual depths of martial arts. Lee died an untimely, mysterious death and Carradine hung himself accidentally during a perverse sex act.
Buddhist founder, Bodhidharma’s system combined kung fu with the philosophical principles of Zen to develop a highly sophisticated form of weaponless fighting. Kung fu emphasizes force to break force. It also includes the striking of vital points, delayed action “death touches”, and the use of psychic powers.
One of the West’s foremost Tai Chi teachers, T.T. Liang, states, “The ultimate goal of learning and practicing Tai Chi is to become an immortal.”
The term “karate” means “empty hand”. The emphasis on bowing (a sign of worship), breathing exercises, seated meditation, intense concentration, and heightened awareness, in imbedded with
Zen philosophy. Its stated purpose is to unite mind, body, and spirit to achieve the unity envisioned by Zen (a distinctly pagan practice strictly forbidden by scripture).
The term “aikido” means “the road to a union with the universal spirit”. The body movements in this practice focus on the power of ki, which is inhaled into the lower abdomen and exhaled through the hands. A tenth-degree black belt aikido instructor from Japan states of his art, “We created a universal harmony that ties together all of the worlds, the phenomenal world we see around us, the world of the kind of spirits we cannot see, and the pure world of energy.”
While it may be true that the various disciplines of martial arts have different forms, they all have similar religious backgrounds, foundations, and goals. Because of their roots in Taoism and Buddhism, they view the entire universe as interplay of harmonizing yin and yang. These principles are expressed by the relaxed state of movements.
Followers of Zen believe that enlightenment may be shared by sending forth ki (C’hi) to illuminate the spiritual darkness of the world. Whether the form of martial arts one practices is based on the doctrine of naturalism found in Taoism or the doctrine of illusion found in Buddhism, the philosophical basis of both explicitly deny the blood atonement of Jesus Christ. To Christians, salvation comes by the finished work of the cross, where Christ was sacrificed for our sin. It is by His resurrection that we have eternal life. Salvation in Zen is achieved by comprehending the divine essence of man, who is manifestation of the Universal Soul. Involvement in the martial arts implies an inherent approval of the religious principles behind them.
The religious and philosophical roots of martial arts presupposes a pantheistic perception of the cosmos. Even the cautious student runs the risk of being conditioned by the techniques that pursue a goal of impersonal oneness with the universe. The Taoistic and Buddhist principles are an integral part of fulfilling the ultimate spiritual aims of martial arts. Practices rooted in false religions cannot be “Christianized” by praying prior to or afterward, nor by playing praise and worship music while executing them.
“O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord. For you have forsaken your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with eastern ways.” Is. 2:5-6
“Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist.” (I John 4:3)
“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Sources: Castro, Cropeza, & Rhodes, Christian Research Journal; East-West Journal; Logan & Petras, Handbook of the Martial Arts and Self-Defense; The History and Philosophy of Kung Fu; Aikido in Daily Life; Larson’s Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality.
“Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:11
Feel free to pass this on to anyone who might benefit from it.
Compiled by: Safe Harbor Ministries
Tim and Beth Scott
[email protected]