Christian Martial Arts are Scary!
Apparently, there's Shiho Karahan martial arts, which are very bizarre. They basically bastardized various forms of martial arts in order to reclaim them from the "enemy" for Jesus. Some stuff from Whole Armor Martial Arts:
"Unfortunately, the martial arts have been incorrectly judged by many in the Christian community as a direct hot line to hell via Zen Buddhism. This is usually brought about by the common belief that the martial arts originated in the Orient, and therefore are rooted in Oriental philosophy and occult practices.
This brings to light such scriptures as Psalm 144:1 where David says "Blessed be the Lord my strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight". This account of King David's own martial arts system shows us that in all reality God's people had the martial arts long before the world polluted them with it's own errant philosophies.
Indeed, we as God's people had them first and it's definitely possible (and probably a very good idea...), to take the martial arts back from the enemy, using them to build character and discipline, bringing glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ."
The enemy they're referring to is Buddha, a dangerous character. Some further research onto the style they teach ("Shiho Karano Karate") is that it's some made up "Christian-based" karate. It's all really bizarre. Although on normal martial arts forums/sites, apparently these guys are viewed with the same "freakshow" opinion I have on them.
My dojo has a branch in a Catholic Church, but we have no ties to religion, we just rent their hall a couple times a week. Our students are almost all Catholic or Jewish. We all follow the standard creeds & history in Isshinryu karate, some of which can have some Shinto or Buddhist base. It's not a big deal. The more I research these Christian karate guys, the weirder it gets.
God's Hammer
Apparently Aiki Ju Jitsu..."given the violent nature of the art, it is only offered to Christian Adults, military personnel and law officers!" Probably a shock to most instructors that it's for Christian Adults only.
Their philosophy is...(My comments)
1. Spiritual----reliance on Christian (not pagan) ethics; (Disagree but not too scary)
2. Mental---disciplining the mind and learning to control one's emotion; (Standard martial arts philosophy)
3. Physical---empty of reliance upon physical strength; (Standard martial arts philosophy)
4. Knowledge--ridding oneself of stinkin' thinkin' so one can be trained. (Normally, we're allowed to think and train...)
5. For Christians who misinterpret Gospel to "turn the other cheek":
Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war, My refuge and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, My shield, in whom I trust, who subdues people under me. Psalms 144:1 (Actually, the "pagan" martial arts teach us to "turn the other cheek" and to only fight, if we absolutely must)
8. Fides Via Vita et Veritas--Faith through strength and truth. (Not really scary, but probably their name is "God's Hammer." I go to a place called "Peaceful Valley." Also, what the hell happened to #6 & 7...they have 10 fingers!)
And now we have the laughable R.A.N.S.O.M. Ministry...they perform "hard hitting Martial arts demonstrations showing spiritual warfare against Satan's influence," under such awe-inspiring psuedonyms, as Fan Dancer, Bone Crusher, Demon Slayer, Frost Bite, Night Screamer, Artic Storm, Daero-Maven, The Bender, The General, Quiet Riot, and lastly Squeeker: the Glitter Mouse. I'm sorry, but I couldn't make this shit up if I tried (and I'm pretty damn creative). Unlike the other groups, they don't seem like they're going to overthrow a Buddhist temple or attack a gay pride parade anytime soon, they're just really fucking hilarious. Not only do they all have fake names that sound like rejected GI Joe names, but, judging by their pictures, I could probably take them all on. Actually, probably the average 12-year-old green belt at my school could take them all on.
Would you want to mess with this?
"Okay guys, get into your 'Power Rangers' stance!"
or this...
We're not trying to look all tough in fancy little "martial arts poses." (I hate that picture though because I'm fat in it).
"Unfortunately, the martial arts have been incorrectly judged by many in the Christian community as a direct hot line to hell via Zen Buddhism. This is usually brought about by the common belief that the martial arts originated in the Orient, and therefore are rooted in Oriental philosophy and occult practices.
This brings to light such scriptures as Psalm 144:1 where David says "Blessed be the Lord my strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight". This account of King David's own martial arts system shows us that in all reality God's people had the martial arts long before the world polluted them with it's own errant philosophies.
Indeed, we as God's people had them first and it's definitely possible (and probably a very good idea...), to take the martial arts back from the enemy, using them to build character and discipline, bringing glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ."
The enemy they're referring to is Buddha, a dangerous character. Some further research onto the style they teach ("Shiho Karano Karate") is that it's some made up "Christian-based" karate. It's all really bizarre. Although on normal martial arts forums/sites, apparently these guys are viewed with the same "freakshow" opinion I have on them.
My dojo has a branch in a Catholic Church, but we have no ties to religion, we just rent their hall a couple times a week. Our students are almost all Catholic or Jewish. We all follow the standard creeds & history in Isshinryu karate, some of which can have some Shinto or Buddhist base. It's not a big deal. The more I research these Christian karate guys, the weirder it gets.
God's Hammer
Apparently Aiki Ju Jitsu..."given the violent nature of the art, it is only offered to Christian Adults, military personnel and law officers!" Probably a shock to most instructors that it's for Christian Adults only.
Their philosophy is...(My comments)
1. Spiritual----reliance on Christian (not pagan) ethics; (Disagree but not too scary)
2. Mental---disciplining the mind and learning to control one's emotion; (Standard martial arts philosophy)
3. Physical---empty of reliance upon physical strength; (Standard martial arts philosophy)
4. Knowledge--ridding oneself of stinkin' thinkin' so one can be trained. (Normally, we're allowed to think and train...)
5. For Christians who misinterpret Gospel to "turn the other cheek":
Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war, My refuge and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, My shield, in whom I trust, who subdues people under me. Psalms 144:1 (Actually, the "pagan" martial arts teach us to "turn the other cheek" and to only fight, if we absolutely must)
8. Fides Via Vita et Veritas--Faith through strength and truth. (Not really scary, but probably their name is "God's Hammer." I go to a place called "Peaceful Valley." Also, what the hell happened to #6 & 7...they have 10 fingers!)
And now we have the laughable R.A.N.S.O.M. Ministry...they perform "hard hitting Martial arts demonstrations showing spiritual warfare against Satan's influence," under such awe-inspiring psuedonyms, as Fan Dancer, Bone Crusher, Demon Slayer, Frost Bite, Night Screamer, Artic Storm, Daero-Maven, The Bender, The General, Quiet Riot, and lastly Squeeker: the Glitter Mouse. I'm sorry, but I couldn't make this shit up if I tried (and I'm pretty damn creative). Unlike the other groups, they don't seem like they're going to overthrow a Buddhist temple or attack a gay pride parade anytime soon, they're just really fucking hilarious. Not only do they all have fake names that sound like rejected GI Joe names, but, judging by their pictures, I could probably take them all on. Actually, probably the average 12-year-old green belt at my school could take them all on.
Would you want to mess with this?
"Okay guys, get into your 'Power Rangers' stance!"
or this...
We're not trying to look all tough in fancy little "martial arts poses." (I hate that picture though because I'm fat in it).