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I realize that this topic hasn't been discussed in a few months, however, based upon what I've read in some of your posts I see that it is something that many of you have strong feelings about.I knew of Mike Crain's founding of Judo & Karate for Christ in the 60's and 70's. While Mike was an excellent evangelist, there was little follow thru for any new converts once he moved on to the next town. Hence, christian martial arts or "church karate," had little opportunity for growth.the problem with any new ministry is the conflicting beliefs it may incur from some well meaning, albeit dogmatic fundamentalists, or as we call them, "funny-mentalists."Too many evangelicals see the martial arts as an asian-pagan based religious philosophy. However, few westerners realize that much of the Olympics are based on the combative arts of ancient Greece and Rome. Common everyday track & field events (as well as modern day boxing and wrestling) still avidly taught, practiced and tested in our public school systems, are still modeled after the warrior arts of Sparta and Rome.Keep in mind that Europe went into a period known as the dark ages where for almost 1,000 years, nothing of the old Roman rule
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To further xpand upon what I said, I'll tell you about an incident I had a few years ago.My wife and I had a small martial arts ministry in Columbus, GA. We had arranged for a table at a local arts festival with the words "Karate For Christ" on a banner.Several individuals came up, saying they liked the concept. However, there was one individual who felt it was her right to become verbally abusive. During the conversation, I found out that she was a teacher at a private church school, and that she had strong opinions about occultic activity and the martial arts being one in the same.It got so bad that I waved to the security staff and asked them to take her away (she was driving people away from our table, along with being a nuisance). I never saw her again, but I've had several run-ins with many so-called well meaning people over the years, both before and after that incident.I think the biggest problem with people of this calibre are the psychological issues they have. It isn't the martial arts that they have a problem with, it's the fact that we don't recognize their greater faith and intelligence. In short, they're control freaks who think the world would be a better place if we only followed their example. However, I judge the message by the messenger.Everybody has problems, trials and tribulations in life. What is easy for some is difficult for others. As martial artists, we're among the few who recognize the problem(s), and are willing to do something about it by taking charge of our lives.
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One of the things that struck me early on in my relationship with Sigung Steve, was that he openly engaged in conversation with any one of any faith that wanted to talk about God.
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