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Here are some links to 2 Martial Arts that I think that us Christians could agree with everything that is taught in the class. Some Asian Schools teach certian Confucian and Buddhist tenets that we could not abide by. But these are run by good people:

The founder of Gracie Brazilian Jujitsu, Helio Gracie, was quoted as saying that he never had sexual intercourse for any reason besides procreation:

http://www.gracieacademy.com/

Systema claims to be the ancient fighting art of the Russian people. The two Russian emigrees are former Spetsnaz officers and have their main school in Toronto. They link to the Russian hesychasm website and their philosophy is derived from Russian Orthodoxy. They seem to be members of Russian Orthodoxy "in good standing."

http://www.russianmartialart.com/#

http://www.russianmartialart.com/main.php?page=philosophy

Plus the videos that go with the sites are neat to watch, especially the Systema body weight conditioning videos.

Though it's origins are not Christian, the philosophy behind Aikido is very Christian in nature. It emphasizes, mercy, forgiveness, and violence as the very last resort, and only then within a defensive context.

WOW! Thank you for the Systema link. It is very interesting...

Gordo

Wow, there's a Systema affiliate school about a half mile from me! (yeah, I know, I'm blessed and spoiled )

I've done a lot of marital arts but always seem to tank out around the brown belt level--mostly because of not wanting to swallow the oriental philosophy that goes along with many martial art forms.

It seems that the Eastern Marital Arts are steeped with the teachings of their philosophical masters and one cannot escape them. I remember that most if not all of my fellow Jeet Kune Do students and teachers were deep into Eastern Mysticism and the New Age.

P.S. Chance, I was only a few weeks away from getting my black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Karate when the school shut down. Then a few months later at Southern Illinois University I met my first Jeet Kune Do instructor and I have been under that umbrella ever since.

Chance, where do you live? Two UGCC churches and a Systema school all within walking distance! I'm sooooo jealous! I'm going to close my practice and move next door to you!

Oakland County, Michigan. Right around the Detroit Zoo (Woodward Dream Cruise, anyone? You can park in my driveway and walk two blocks to Woodward. We've got ethnic groups from just about every country in the world--all generally living peacefully in about a 20 mile radius.

(and I'll hunt down and whomp the first person to crack a Detroit joke--so don't anyone start)

Dr. Eric wrote:
Aye, that's the problem. For me it's wasn't so much the Eastern Mysticism which I could easily reject, it was the spiritual bent of most the people in the schools. Most martial arts schools I've been in were also strong social clubs. Parties, going out to restaurants (or bars) and the like outside of class were held and attendance was expected.

Perhaps now that I'm more mature in my faith I could deal with it. Being a new adult convert though it was best at the time to walk away.

Argh, that's almost tragic.

Chance,
I'm not sad about not getting the belt. (Remember in The Karate Kid when Ralph Maccio asked Pat Morita what kind of belt he had? He replied, "Canvas. JC Penny. $3.98. You like?")

I like the JKD much better. It has real world skills and as close to real fighting as possible. I really would like to get into Systema as well, but I don't have the luxury of living next to 2 UGC Churches and a Systema Studio! :p

"Wax on. Wax off. Wax on. Wax off..."

Very interesting! Especially some of the comments on the Russian Systema.

I train with a man who professes to be a Taoist. He does not push the spiritual aspect of the training, but it is there, and we have had several interesting discussions during class.
I had the chance to give him the book CHRIST THE ETERNAL TAO [amazon.com] and I pray for his conversion.

The philosophies I find in reading on the Russian Systema are very close to the teachings we have in our Chinese Kung Fu system. Conflict is to be avoided if at all possible. Better to stop than to hurt, to hurt than to maim, to maim than to kill, for every life is precious and none can be restored.

Same thing we are taught, with one difference -- i.e., the belief in a personal and loving Father Who controls all things. But philosophically the same.

I think that one of the problems we have with violence in our country is that we have been feminized to death and have forgotten what it means to be a man -- to be strong and at the same time in control of our strength and passions.

Brother Ed

Systema seems to be put together and developed in Soviet times, also it does seems to be link with matial arts such as Kung Fu etc. I see on some interent sites that there is a vague link to much older Russian martial arts. The religious connection that some of these martial arts have with non Christian faiths have always made me wary of them.

Dr. Eric wrote:
Actually that's four UGCC parishes, three Ruthenian parishes, two Romanian parishes, one Melkite parish, one indult traditional Latin Mass community, and two RCC parishes that serve the Novus Ordo in Latin daily--all within a 30 minute drive. But who's counting...?

BTW, this reminded me of a self defense system reportedly based on what's taught to the Israeli military called Krav Maga.

See: Krav Maga [kravmaga.com]

There's also a Krav Maga school about two...oh never mind, you all won't believe me anyways.

This is very interesting, I agree that there are some systems that coincide with Christian ideals. However, Jesus did say turn the other cheek and if someone wants your coat give them your shirt. This leaves very little room for advancing self-defense. Of course if Christians were truly pacifist as Jesus taught, then there would be no room for a Christian nation having armies. This would not bode well with government, so perhaps Jesus' original message is altered to justify governmental standing armies?

Don't forget the 3 Maronite Churches, 2 Chaldean Catholic, one Syro-Malankara Church, one Armenian Catholic, and one Syriac Catholic mission in or near Detroit.