Eastern Martial Arts - gratuitous violence
By Willem Jan Pijacker Hordijk (translated by Ursula Moestapa)
1. Gratuitous violence
2. Some martial sports
3. Sports and the sportsmen
4. Valuable or valueless martial sports?
5. Self-defense
6. Christians in martial sports
7. Demonic influence
8. Which sports to choose?
9. Conclusion Be strong
10. Summary and translation of the Book Exposing The Dangers behind Martial Arts & Yoga, A Christian’s guide to the harmful effects of these spiritual rooted practices, dr. Vito Rallo
1. Gratuitous Violence
Can martial arts make us sufficiently resilient and prevent us from gratuitous violence by managing aggression? Most martial arts come from the Far East, such as Japan, China and Korea. Is something that’s very old and comes from afar, innocent or even useful?
Yet again, we want to give a fair and therefore nuanced view of the complex, popular martial and defense sports. Personal stories and experiences do not automatically apply to everyone, but they do give us some thoughts on the subject. For over 3,000 years now, one could find the pugilist or fists fighter in Greece. The apostle Paul considered himself a trained fists fighter (1Cor.9:26) or a boxer, who boxes in such a way, as to avoid hitting air and therefore doesn’t waste his energy. With this comparison, however, this does not mean that all of a sudden all martial sports are sanctioned. The first Christians were indeed also present in the amphitheaters, but only as victims instead of sportsmen or spectators. A modern boxing match is currently unthinkable without the presence of the so-called ringside doctor. Physical injury is in fact almost inevitable …
Many eastern martial arts originate from religions such as Shintoism, Taoism and Zen Buddhism. Other martial arts are based on a code of honor. Eastern martial arts can additionally also include such matters as meditation or alternative medicine such as acupuncture. Furthermore, martial arts can be closely related to certain dances. Martial arts are often applied as self-defense. [1]
The British term ‘martial arts’ is more extensive than the Dutch term ‘vechtkunst’ (fighting) art and can refer to every technique of fighting and war waging. The term stems from the 16th century and originally referred to European ways of fighting such as fencing and other forms of dual sports. ‘Mixed martial arts’, often abbreviated to MMA, is a multi-disciplinary martial sport that is focused on the combination of techniques from different martial arts (and martial sports) such as wrestling (grappling), Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, Kick Boxing, Thai Boxing, Boxing and Jiu-Jitsu. There are several names for MMA, amongst others ‘Free Fight’, ‘Vale Tudo’ (everything is allowed) and ‘Cage Fight. There are also many organizations that organize MMA tournaments.
Many of those organizations currently use the ‘United Rules of Mixed Martial Arts’ made and used in the US. The largest MMA organization is the American ‘Ultimate Fighting Championship’ (UFC).
2. Some Martial Sports
Aikido, which means: the way (do) of bringing together (ai) of life energy (ki).
This is a Japanese self-defense art that seeks to always move along with the movement of an attacker or training partner, in order to continue it and at the same time to control and give direction. The founder of Aikido is the Japanese Master Morihei Ueshiba. He blended different styles into a new one. The emphasis is on ‘ki’ (spirit, life energy). But the emptying of the soul must not degenerate into a dreamy ‘high’ mood. If pupils would fill their lives with Aikido, they are promised that they would gain the development in their inner being of a sixth sense, namely the ability to predict what the attacker intends to do. [2]
Han (Korea) Mu Do (way of the martial arts), means freely translated ‘Korean self-defense’, or ‘Korean way of ‘martial arts’. [3] Han Mu Do was founded in 1989 by dr. He-Young Kimm (9th belt). The emphasis here lies on the defense against kicking and punching, attacks with a knife or a stick, clutching of clothes or physical parts. According to the brochure, the Han Mu Do training improves the concentration capacity, mental alertness, self-confidence, self-control, self-discipline and self-respect. Regular meditation and breathing exercises also improve the inner strength (Ki).
Judo (means ‘soft way’) is a game which is based on attack and defense in the throws and holds. This sports has a pedagogical character. ‘Do’ implies that it regards a meditative art. The father of Judo was Jogoro Kano-hanshi (1860-1938). He followed a Zen Buddhist lifestyle [4] Therefore the whole Judo event is not suddenly occult, neither all Toyota cars would contaminate Christians, because possibly some Buddhist mister Toyota (?) was at its cradle. According to the Dutch judoist Guillaume Elmont, World champion in 2005 in the category up to 81 kilograms, Judo is a sport with the heaviest injuries. He himself had fingers with swellings, a ruptured calf muscle, neck injuries, a shifted neck bone and chronic pain in the wrist. ‘Judo takes so much energy that you never do that for longer than those couple of minutes can yield’. [3a] You can find more about Judo further in this article.
Karate originated from China, means in Japanese ‘empty (unarmed) hand’.
Because of the prohibition on weapons by Japan, karate was the last possibility of self-defense and had to be practiced in the utmost secrecy. Karate was publicly demonstrated for the first time in 1922 by Master Gichin Funakoshi. He is considered the founder of the Shoto Kan style. This style emphasizes the spiritual aspect of this self-defense art. If one wants to use the karate techniques effectively, then the spiritual aspect should even play a predominant role. Exercise means exercise of body and spirit. ‘He who desires to go the way of Karate, cannot afford to neglect Zen and the mental formation’ [5] If we use the word ‘Karate-do’, we should put the emphasis on ‘do’. ‘Do’ means ‘the manner’ or ‘the way’, but where does this way end? ‘Do’ indicates a higher ambition than the question how to block, kick or hit. The main goal of Karate should be teaching someone to achieve the level of a perfect character by the means of reaching a level of self-control. [6] No history of Karate – no matter how brief – can be complete without a brief reference to Bodhi-Dharma, who is called the ‘original propagator of the concept of the martial arts’. This Indian monk was a brilliant Zen student. Many martial arts, including Karate, have a religious foundation. In the most important Dojos (schools where Karate is taught) an altar is found on the highest place as a reminder of the philosophical background of Karate. Another reminder of this is the time, most often at the end of the training for meditation (‘Za Zen’) to purify the spirit and to destress the body.
In Karate, it is obligated to bow to the Shinden (which is the temple in which the ancestors are honored) the greeting (greeting Buddha in each other) and the different meditation techniques. Most of the eastern martial sports originate from Buddhism, which teaches that one can achieve the ‘enlightenment’ by one’s own power. In order to release the soul, one should restrain, discipline and submit his body. Karate is a means to achieve that. If you for example give a punch, then ‘kiai’ is roared, which means ‘body – spirit’. In that way the spirit is asked to lead and inspire you in the punching. Point 5 of the Dojo oath reads: ‘We shall follow our gods and never forget the real meaning of the word humility’. [7]
Kick boxing. In Kick boxing, the fists, the feet and the shin bone are used.. In Thai boxing (Muay Thai in Thailand), every natural weapon of the body such as the fists, the feet, the elbows, knees and the shin bone are used. Forbidden in Europe, are the elbow and knee punches to the head. In these martial sports – those are as it were the moveable meditation forms – amulets are worn by the boxers. Sometimes the legs are also tattooed. It is common practice to adorn the upper arms with special tattoos, which are most often applied under the spell of prayers and incantations by ordained monks. The applied tattoos give strength to the boxers [8]
Kung Fu. ‘This is a collective name for different Chinese martial arts. The Kung Fu teacher should above all have the gift for mystical religious matters [9]
Tae Bo is a combination of Tae Kwon Do, boxing, Street dance and Karate, which is developed by the black Billy Blanks from the US. He was a multiple World Champion of Karate. ‘Tae Bo is a conviction, a way of life. It has to do with the soul, about whom you are from the inside. If you can draw energy from there, you exercise your spirit and you can last for long (…). Then the cooling down follows; eastern stretching exercises to religious ‘feel good’ music’ [10]
Krav Maga (in Hebrew קרב מגע, contact fight) is a defense art that originates from Hungary, which was further developed in Israel. The founder of the movement is the Hungarian-Israelite Imi Lichtenfeld, also known by the Hebrew borrowed translation of his name Imi Sde-Or or briefly Imi. Remarkable for Krav Maga, is that the exercise takes place with very diverging realistic situations, such as a hijack situation, danger at night, attacks on an important man, attacks with a fire gun or knife, etcetera. Furthermore, the training takes place at various locations, unlike many Budo sports that have a fixed Dojo.
Where forms of self-defense, such as Aikido and Jiu-Jitsu have very subtle techniques, which most people can only apply effectively in real fight situations when they have practiced for years, and the Wushu applies a lot of elegant forms, Krav Maga limits itself for the greater part to techniques which in any case have a quick effect. This is mainly because of practical reasons: techniques mainly align with natural reflexes of someone who defends himself against an attack, and in many cases, people have to be able to defend themselves effectively in a relatively short time, which makes a no-nonsense approach obvious. Issues like honor and appearances are also much less important in Krav Maga than in for example in Wushu (Chinese for martial art).
Krav Maga therefore, does not practice Kata (a term from the Japanese self-defense arts and martial sports, such as Karate, Jiu Jitsu and Judo, where it means ‘form’). A Kata is an individual style of practice and is a suitable method for both men and women of all ages to learn how in a relatively short time to deal with (life) threatening situations, such as threats with a knife or fire gun. Just as any realistic form of self-defense, Krav Maga is not bound by rules, outside the rules of the law. Kicking and punching to the crotch are permitted, as well as punching with the elbows to the head and sticking with the fingers in the other’s eyes or against the throat. It is therefore not a sport, but a self-defense system on life and death. The practitioner of Krav Maga shall therefore try to avoid conflict situations as far as he possibly can, but in an actual conflict situation shall do whatever it takes to conquer [11]
Tai Chi or Tai Ji is an originally Chinese martial art, which is now more often practiced as Neijia, an inner movement art. Tai Chi is practiced for its health improving features, but for both self-defense and the elimination of opponents.
Ostensibly, the movements of Tai Chi are more natural. But also here, the movements are not separable from the religious background. From the book of Michael Page: ‘The power of Ch’i, published by Thorsons, it appears that the same principles occur as in Yoga. Tai Ch’i is based on the existence of primal energy. ‘For the Chinese people the physical universe consists of an energy field that envelops and permeates us. Everything that exists comes forth from and is sustained by Ch’i.’ This energy is magical power. ‘The Chi’i in itself is susceptible to magic, because it is a secretly natural power. Dragons’ blood vessels and acupuncture meridians, Tai Ch’i and amulets, have all to do with magic and with science.’ The aim is unification with the Cosmos, which is considered divine. ‘The aim in Taoist practices (such as Tai Ch’i) is the achievement of the spontaneity for every individual to act from being one with the entire nature, with the universe itself.’ The means to achieve this is: ‘The practitioner must keep his spirit concentrated on the flow of the Ch’i, which is something that he can only achieve by the means of the power of the imagination of the spirit, by the means of meditation in movement.’ Meditation practices therefore, are attached to it, which is also about emptying the spirit. ‘The movements of the body result from and are part of the meditation. The mental silence which is thus achieved in the movement, is considered, especially by Taoists, to be more valuable than the silence that flows from the physical silence. The ultimate aim is that the spirit will conduct the Ch’i calmly and naturally to go deep inside the body into the bones and marrow.’
3. Sports and the sportsman
A servant of the Divine Word, reverend Joan Röell (57) from Grevenbicht in Limburg, came up with something for the fight against gratuitous violence.
Noteworthy on a Sunday morning in his reformed church, he had boxed three rounds against a former European champion [12]. This attracted four times as many people as usual. ‘Go where the action is’- isn’t it?
This confrontation was part of a topic day for youngsters against gratuitous violence. First the boxers talked for one hour about gratuitous violence with the youngsters that were present. In boxing class one learns not to just punch around, but rather to control his aggression and power. But does it work that way? Is it not about taking advantage of the weak spots of the opponent, to win according to the rules? Soon after this alternative service, the boxing reverend acknowledged that due to the cheering and shouting in the church, his eyes were blurred by a red mist, as it were. ‘As if I got wings, I felt incredible. I'd like to kick his butt. I attacked him in full force. When I saw that Arnold was frightened, I smelled chances and I drove him into a corner, (…) the bear in me was released. Like a raging bull I punched and smashed him’. According to the umpire, the reverend was ‘playing unregulated’ (thus below the belt). The preacher later fairly realized that all his talk about learning how to deal sensibly with aggression, made no sense at all and that he himself had as much uncontrollability in himself as the hounded vandals whom he preached about. [13]
Is he a good representative of boxing? Is this typical for boxing or is it more telling about the possibly frustrated preacher? Every boxer is obligated to reach out his hand to his opponent before and after the match. The intention is that boxers should play the match in a chivalrous and sportive way, as required by the regulations. Yet, it still remains unhealthy to be slapped on the head. Pounding on the head stimulates the Parkinson disease, dementia and amnesia. The results of brain research with sportsmen are not welcomed, because they affect the financial empire. Scientists who do critical research on brain damage in sports, receive opposition reminiscent of the powerful tobacco lobby, which implies denial, ignorance and frustration [14].
For police officers it seems to me that it would be a good thing to learn boxing, in order to be able to deliver a sensitive blow, so that worse situations can be prevented. Just as well as they get shooting instructions in case of … Nonetheless, it appears that one is thus able to discharge both energy and to provoke aggression as well. Both the sports and the sportsman must be considered.
The personal testimony of the European champion of Karate and winner of Kick boxing parties Danny Soto, agrees with this. Soto converted radically from martial sports to the living God. ‘When I arrived in the hall where this fighting match was held, I was kind to whoever I met in the hall. But when I entered the ring, I looked straight in the eye of my adversary, a big country boy. That's how I tried to impress and intimidate him in the first place. The fight ended up in my favor. For my adversary it was less favorable. When he was lying on the ground moaning in pain, I wanted to kick him again. A tremendous hatred had emerged. This boy radiated so much confidence at the beginning of the match, which impressed me in one way or the other. The aggression suddenly just came out. The umpire pushed me away, which caused me to kick him in the face too.
The pupils of my school who supported me, jumped into the ring and dived at me and calmed me down. I lost this round. I was disqualified because of my misconduct. When I stepped out of the ring and angrily walked to the locker room, some glass doors had to suffer damage. I expressed my anger and with my glove I punched right through the armored glass. My anger got more and more violent. I cursed and raved and taunted everyone. I experienced scenes like this very often. Also with other martial sportsmen. It has got nothing to do with the style one practices. People sometimes speak about the mild and the hard style. This is an absolute misconception. The powers that are active behind theses sports, are all alike. It has partly to do with your character how much of an impact they can have on you. But there is no escape from the spiritual impact or influence in the martial sports. This influence has always been there. It is as if I was under a certain control. People call it a lifestyle in martial arts. This lifestyle goes together with a quite good discipline and self-control. But the self-control by the “fruit of God” is supernatural and by the Holy Spirit’. [15]
4. A Valuable or valueless martial sport?
Municipalities (in the Netherlands) that subsidize martial sports, state that youngsters learn discipline by it. Vulnerable children and women (and why not men?) can improve their self-confidence in this way. Of course there’s nothing wrong with that. On the other hand, aggressive children can learn how to control and regulate their aggression better in this way. Discipline and structure seem to have an attraction to immigrant children. The researchers Agnes Elling and Ester Wisse from the Sports Researcher Mulier Institute interrogated 260 martial sportsmen between 12 and 16 years of age of 24 martial sports clubs. Most of them practiced Kick Boxing or Thai Boxing and much less Tae Kwon Do and Karate. They interviewed the parents of the sportsmen and the trainers and followed different young sportsmen for two years. Martial sports appeared not to be a miracle cure. An organizational disorder, division, competition and distrust appeared to be prevailing. There are insufficient pedagogically and didactically skilled trainers, and insufficient agreements on medical controls and registration, in order to guarantee the physical safety of the martial sportsmen. For instance, there is no clarity as to the age at which children are allowed to enter the ring for the first time for a one-on-one fight. In addition, the risk of head injury is the highest. Most sports schools let the children wear boxing shields, but there is no inspection on this. Moreover, in these types of sports there appears to be a mixture between the underworld and the supernatural world. The Division of Major Crime of the Amsterdam Police identified a ‘far-reaching interconnection’ between Kick Boxing and the organized Crime [16]. According to Amsterdam’s former Mayor Van der Laan, half of the six hundred violent young repeat offenders in Amsterdam have had martial sports lessons. According to this civilian father, a martial sport can have positive effects on youngsters, but if something goes wrong, they use the techniques they have learned, which make them dangerous on the streets [17].
Is every type of sports alright as an alternative for recreation? Sports can be a wonderfully innocent recreation through exertion. But what about the ruthless cage fights with poor game regulations where hoodlums are bashing into each other to the point of the spilling of their blood until one of them gives up? This is no longer healthy, rather demonic.
Also women participate in organized martial sports. They even take the risk of not being able to get pregnant, due to physical injury, like Marlies Coenen. This Triple MMA World Champion, nevertheless did get pregnant, by the way. Sport is certainly healthy, but sports injuries often appear to be inevitable, unfortunately. In martial sports, this is the general rule rather than the exception, for is that what you’re supposed to do?: to wound your adversary, strike him in his weak spot, hurt and eliminate him by your strength, which you use in a tactical way? Game regulations should be taken into consideration here, because it is after all not the intention that sportsmen leave the boxing mat permanently disabled or even lifeless.
What else to think of the audience that can enjoy a fierce wrestling match indulgently, whether it is between two men or between men and animals (bulls’ fighting) or between animals amongst themselves (roosters, bears, dogs, etc.)? Due to gambling practices, these spectacles become even more profitable. Don’t these bloodthirsty spectators who have a knack for excitement and thrills, have a sick mind?! Hail to the ‘Survival of the Fittest’…
As it has been said, sport can discharge energy and even aggression, but it can induce it as well. The question is whether this is the result of the sport or is it because of the players and supporters. For that matter, how many supporters have not indulged in acts of violence and vandalism after a match? The modern man turns out not to be any different from the ancient Romans who for the cruel games of life and death, flocked in large numbers into the arenas. Bread and games are still indispensable.
What’s interesting in this context, is to figure out what the effect is of all the violence films and the violent computer games. If you win by killing as many people as fast as you possibly can and you get thrilled by it, then there must be something wrong with you. The limit between the virtual world and the real world can dangerously fade away. This is certainly irreconcilable with being a Christian, where respect and sacrificing love have an important place. The rock solid God appears to be concerned with the fate of the weakest in particular, such as the widows, orphans and strangers and He deals with the arrogant, power- abusing leaders of the earth who trample on rights. All those dehumanizing practices do not testify to a high-class civilization, nor, for that matter, do they advocate for evolution, if that would exist. That Christians nevertheless seem to be able to ‘enjoy’ these practices, is due to the feeding of their ‘flesh’ or sinful nature. A tip for Christians may be: make a copy of Exodus 20 and Galatians 5 and stick it next to (or upon) your television set and computer.
5. Self-defense
The Old Testament rule ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’ was intended to keep violence from escalating. Jesus taught us in the so-called Sermon on the Mount not to withstand the evil, ‘But whoever slaps you on your right cheek (which is humiliating, disdainful), turn the other toward him also’. This regards the suffering because of Christ. In the Kingdom of God, which is at odds with the world, the following rule is applied: ‘the survival of the weakest’. How did Jesus do that Himself? When Jesus had to defend Himself before the high priest Annas, one of the officers slapped Jesus in His face. Jesus did not allow Himself to be disrespected nor did He defend Himself with violence, but with words. [18] The evil one, the devil that prowls like a roaring lion, is whom we are to resist [19], but the evil or bad man, we should respect as a man. After all, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. That being said, criminals must be dealt with severely. Saul committed an assassination attempt when he tried to spear the harp playing David to the wall. In response, David did not throw the spear back at Saul, but he fled, because he refused to lay his hands on the anointed one of the Lord [20], However, David was not equally gentle with everyone. The earlier mentioned text from the Sermon on the Mount should not be used for the sake of pacifism. The reality is that the society is messed up by sin. The defensive government doesn’t bear the necessary, lethal sword for nothing [21], Therefore, the individual Christian should not and need not to be vindictive and self-seeking, regarding his personal relations and he doesn’t have to defend himself. Self-defense is not a taboo in principle for a Christian. Wim van Doorn, a convicted Christian and Judo and fitness instructor, surely believes in God’s protection, but also that one can do something himself. “If you’re not allowed to defend yourself, you should not have an army either. Locking your bicycle, locking up your house – those are also forms of defense, aren’t they? If a girl is being harassed, should she not cry for help, pushing the attacker away with her hands or even slap him?” [22] Jesus wasn't against defensive weaponry per se: “They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” [23] But in Gethsemane, Jesus didn’t fight physically, although He could have commanded His angels to intervene with violence. The astounding, paradoxical happened, which was just by losing, namely by dying the scandalous death on the cursed cross, He won the victory. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ [24], is the method of God, although according to the last book of the Bible, great power measurements will take place. But these texts do not directly refer to martial sports.
6. Christians in martial sports
The Christian Judo instructor Wim van Doorn would discourage Christians from taking Karate, Kung Fu and Kick Boxing lessons. If you’re in doubt, do not start, is his advice. But that goes for all sports. He does not reject all martial sports. “In my 20 years of experience as a Christian and owner of a Sports school, I have never experienced that a born again Christian had to stop with Judo or Jiu-Jitsu after his conversion, because God told him to.” [25] Together with his brother called Mans and six freelance instructors, he weekly reaches eight hundred people between four and seventy years of age at his Sports School in Rhenen. Not sports, but (the gospel of) the Lord Jesus is the passion of the Van Doorn brothers. In an unusual way, the gospel is often to be heard, read and seen through them by non-church going sportsmen. How wonderful opportunities! [26] The Van Doorn brothers consciously distance themselves from the religious background of Judo. That this is indeed there, the following quotation from a Judo magazine proves: ‘Impressive again is the opening protocol by two Shinto priests and a Chief priest. The consecration of the participants, the workers, the guests and honorary guests and the audience. An impressive whole which shows that Judo is more than only “just” a sport. In this Japanese School of Judo championships, direction was clearly given that Judo implies education, mentality, character that through and in the fight – but also outside the fight - must be expressed.’ [27] In Japan, the relation between Judo and religion is very strong. But Japan is not The Netherlands.
Sports (and e.g. Judo) certainly has educational values like sportsmanship, physical exercise, agility, tactics, the ability to deal with loss, self-control, discipline, etc. The question is however, whether Judo can still be Judo if it is it is cleared from the religious backgrounds. The same goes for other (martial) sports. “And if someone likewise competes as an athlete, he is not crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules”, which the apostle Paul already wrote in 2 Tim.2:5. Changing the game regulations autonomously, actually produces another new game.
The following testimony at CIP (Platform of Christian Information) is from a physical education teacher Gerdien Kaan, who makes clear that Judo is not about an innocent defense game. She had practiced a martial sport until recently. “I believe that in all martial sports, there are demonic influences because of the origin and the goal of the separate sports.” “Last week Gerdien Kaan told us about the time before her conversion and how God had drawn her back. Today she’s telling us how she was firmly stopped by God about the fact that Jiu Jitsu is a sport where idols are being worshipped.
“On the 1st January last year I went to Zeeland with a friend to wish my parents a Happy New Year. Before we went back, my father showed me a video of the Dutch Championship where I had also been active.” When they drove home afterwards, Gerdien experienced an enormous tension. “As if I was very nervous. I didn’t know exactly why and while talking I tried to figure it out. I thought that is was because there was something strange with my car and I comforted myself with the thought that I am a member of the road assistance in case something really goes wrong. In hindsight it turned out that the tension and restlessness was not caused by that. A spiritual fight was going on.” Gerdien’s friend asked her to list all things of her life: “With that, the light of a spotlight seemed to fall on my hobby and sport. It all became clear to me, I was worshipping another God. They call it greeting, but in fact it is bowing down. I bowed down to Satan while I no longer didn’t belong to him! I was totally devastated. Especially because I was earlier made aware of the fact that the greeting was more than innocently bowing down. I always experienced a certain resistance there. The past time, the Lord made it much more often clear to me that I had to break with it, but in one way or the other I did not listen and I kept justifying it.”
“Then I confessed everything to the Lord in the company of my friend and I asked the Lord to forgive me. I thanked Him that He wanted to forgive me.
In hindsight, I heard that after watching the video film my friend prayed for me that the Holy Spirit Himself would convince me of my sin. She didn’t say anything about it and left everything to the Lord". Kaan finds it remarkable to see how the Holy Spirit has prepared and worked this all: “My friend was actually not even intended to go to Zeeland with me in the first place! Then I had to break with everything that had to do with this sport. I broke with all the ties that I had: my membership, books, I disposed my PC from all video films.
It was very remarkable that my membership card read that my financial contribution would expire on 1st January 2011. What a timing! The Lord kept me from the ‘black belt.” Kaan concludes with the opinion that in all martial sports there are demonic influences, due to the origin and the goal of the separate sports: “With the exception of the Israelite martial sports, because those have another origin and another goal. We can see the influences in the terminology of the different martial sports. They often have a spiritual content.
Samurai (the founder of Jiu Jitsu) means ‘He who serves’; Dojo (the room where people do exercises) means ‘The place where the way is taught’. Jesus said: “I have come to serve” and I am the Way”. Martial sports or also called Martial arts, always have the same underlying thoughts: defeating the adversary with the help of physical strength or means and at the same time defending yourself against a physical attack. The Bible teaches us something else in Matthew 5.” [28]
7. Demonic influence
The comparison with the Christmas tree, originated from paganism does intrude or is this comparison mistaken? Although the Christmas tree has got nothing to do with the birth celebration of Christ, there are many Christians who put this nice decoration every year in their living room. Are they exposing themselves to pagan, yes even occult influences in this way? We could ask ourselves the same question with Easter eggs and such attributes. What Christian is disturbed by the names of pagan idols that occur in our week days and months of the year? Is the greeting of Buddha in martial sports not an extension of it? Or is there clearly something more the matter? Krav Maga could be considered to be a sensible defense sport for a Christian, because it is not based on occult influences, but this physical defense strategy is intended to survive life threatening situations.
From his own experiences and observations with hundreds of pupils that he has trained in different martial sports, Danny Soto seriously warns about the kneeling down to sit in a Za-Zen Meditation position and then the greeting to the teacher and the founders in the land of origin of style that one practices. “Then one agrees with the spiritual teaching to which he has connected himself by the martial sport he practices. As a result, things do happen in the invisible world. A person may perhaps not be aware of it right away, yet a link has been established based on this false occult teaching in its interrelatedness with martial sports. This may possibly gradually establish a change in character.
Most of the practitioners become cold hearted, harsh, egocentric, calm, self-assured and proud. They often start to lead an isolated life. They shut themselves to love more and more. They often cannot stand affection (anymore). Also the love of the Lord Jesus penetrates with increasing difficulty into the heart.” [29] He testifies that it altogether took six years before he no longer run away from intimidations of Satan, such as being chased by evil spirits with fat claws that squeezed his throat and held both of his arms! [30]
The Australian Barry Kessing who has been a trainer for eight years, said after his conversion: “Serious forms of demonic possession seem quite impossible if the instructor does not make the principles clear in the first place, but is only focused on the techniques, exercises and a little bit of tradition. But one doesn’t realize that by the practice trainings a philosophy is working on him which is fundamentally wrong from the start.” [31] Confusion and deception are tried and tested means in the hands of God’s adversary. In other words, Karate and all eastern martial sports (and what about the ‘regular’ sports?) do have a non-religious or even an anti-Christian origin and philosophy. In case those backgrounds, meditations and concentration exercises can be omitted at the beginning (once again: Is that actually possible??) [32], a Christian would be wise to stay alert. Everything changes after all and society seems to become increasingly ‘religious’.
As the conscience, strangely enough, is narrower in some people than in others, so Christians remarkably appear to experience no unambiguous sensitivity to the occult: “Although it is not unlikely that the longer one is involved with the occult the chance is greater that demonic bondage is the result, we have determined that not everyone who have engaged in occultism experiences the same consequences. Some can have participated in an occult experience without resulting in a bondage, while others by the same experience get into serious trouble. It is not quite clear what this is caused by. Apparently one is more sensitive or more vulnerable than the other. That may have to do with the family a person comes from or with the generation line, possibly also with the protection of Christian parents, but it may also be related to the extent to which a person has opened himself to the occult.” [33]
8. Which sport to choose?
Everything, including sport, may degenerate into an idol. Additionally, the sports practitioner can be negatively influenced by the fundamentally anti-Christian philosophy which hides behind it. Which sport is actually a kosher one? Originally, the Greek Olympic Games were very religiously oriented.
With western sports, today it can be just as savage. Just think of extreme fanaticism (driven by the lust for excellence and money), which is expressed by yelling, cursing and kicking on each other on the sports fields, and what’s taking place in sports canteens altogether. The modern man seems to be under the spell of the idolatry of the World Championship. On the outside it looks more orange (the color of the Dutch Royals) than on the King’s (birth) day celebration. But hopefully it does make a difference whether you are sporting with a Christian sports club. Before signing up for anything, you could go and do some research for yourself or for your child. What are the backgrounds of that particular sport, and do they play a dominant role? What kind of sports school is it and who is this particular sports instructor or trainer? Does the instructor clearly distance himself from eastern religions, or are ceremonies, meditations (Tai Chi) or Yoga obligatory? Do meditation and concentration exercises play a role? What music is being presented and what influence does it have? Take a lesson before you make a decision. How great is the power of the teacher over the pupils? Which Christians have preceded you on this particular sport and what are their observations? Do you, perhaps over time get into distress or spiritual darkness? Do you become aggressive and do you experience a spiritual blockage (e.g. no lust for prayer, Bible reading and church gatherings), do you experience a remarkable change in your character? According to Danny Soto, who knows the martial sports from the inside out through years of experience, would not recommend a Christian to participate in martial sports, because of the following reasons:
1. Every eastern martial sport is a religion that leads to self-realization.
2. Za-Zen meditation in martial sport is the same meditation as in Zen-Buddhism, a method to come to illumination.
3. It is a door that gives an opening to the spiritual (the occult) [34]
That one should have to engage more in the religious backgrounds, in order to get higher on the ladder of eastern martial sports, is denied by Judoka (5th belt) W. van Doorn. Playing a nice innocent game of soccer or being a professional soccer player does make a difference. Your job can become your idol. By consciously or unconsciously opening yourself up to the realm of spirits that do not want to submit themselves to Christ, you open the invasion gate for the ever combative evil and unclean spirits. Practice does show that the one person is more sensitive to it than the other. On the other hand, we don’t have to be too panicked about an occult contamination. Don’t give the devil a foothold anyway, not even a toe. Therefore, do not open the door consciously or unconsciously. One warning counts for two. When in doubt, do not pass. Get well informed and don’t be tempted by (relative!) fame and honor in sports. Keep yourself uncontaminated from and in this pagan world. That this is possible, is proven by the Egyptian viceroy Joseph, who was surrounded by magicians and was nevertheless a type of Christ, and the godly top official Daniel, who survived occult regiments and kept serving the Lord. Therefore …. I wish you strength!
9. Conclusion Be Strong
For some people a martial sport can be a weak spot in spiritual life, as in the testimony of Gerdien Kaan. Just as e.g. Celtic music is a delight to listen to for one Christian, but for the other it goes together with associations or experiences on an occult area.
In the sports world the use of certain chemical stimulants are prohibited. Not only through pills can a man physically increase in strength. Also evil spirits can make you supernaturally and inhumanly strong. The synoptic gospels report about a man or even two men, possessed by evil spirits. [35] Due to a legion of unclean spirits he was able to break his chains and shackles by a supernatural power. He wounded himself by beating himself with stones. Jesus was not afraid of this immensely strong, dangerous man. He did not avoid him, no, even stronger, He was looking out for him. He looked out for him on the land of the Gerasenes or Gadarenes, in an unclean cemetery. Not a physical power measurement took place here, but a spiritual Jesus Who was not a Kung Fu Guru. Instead of hurting him more, the Deliverer delivered him from the torturing indwelling spirits. The man became human again, was clothed and had a good sense, and what we may assume, his supernatural powers were reduced to normal proportions.
Why would sportsmen not submit themselves to the gospel, not do whatever it takes (relentless training, taking chemical stimulants or shots [body], meditation [soul] or occultism [spirit], in order to be able to deliver a top performance? For a Christian, however, there are clear limits, so that it may go well for us! For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world to be a world champion, but forfeits his soul? Counting on muscular strength and agility can be idolatrous. On the contrary, God’s Word states: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous runs into it and is safe”. (Pro.18:10). Without the true God it is impossible to become invulnerable. I remember a story of a Christian woman who was harassed by a robber and called upon the name of Jesus, which caused the robber to run away. On the other hand, Christians can also become victims of rape and murder. In the absence of the authorities (police), self-defense in emergency is permissible for Christians.
10. Finally, my own summary and translation of Exposing The Dangers behind Martial Arts & Yoga, A Christian’s guide to the harmful effects of these spiritual rooted practices, dr. Vito Rallo (Lancaster, U.K.: Sovereign World Ltd, 2011), 181 pp. I have mentioned the number of the pages between brackets. Vito Rallo has firsthand experience and he is resolutely against martial sports. His testimony is personal by definition. The writer lumps everything together in an unsubtle way and his reasoning is not equally strong in all instances. The reader can judge for himself.
The author Vito Rallo has been engaged as a student, instructor and a five-time national champion for more than thirty years so he knows what he’s talking about. He writes: “I was the only non-Japanese person in the world who achieved the black belt within a year. I was addicted to it. The longer I practiced, the more I changed, became more aggressive and even sometimes violent. Karate became my identity. In the competition, my aggressiveness was limitless (129,130). For a Christian, aggressiveness and violence are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit in life (131). I was often disqualified and wanted to intimidate my opponent with fear. The ultimate goal in martial sports is to learn how to mutilate and even kill an opponent. I have trained thousands of sportsmen. On the membership cards the intention of the sport is mentioned, which is that we would pursue to be honest, kind, sincere people with a good character and a high moral standard and integrity. In practice, however, it was often the contrary (132).
I came to conversion by reading the book by Hal Lindsey ‘Planet earth’ (135).
It soon became clear to me that I had to be liberated from the strong spirit of violence. And it happened, but I was extremely strong and the demon in me threw my liberators down.
Unfortunately I allowed myself to be tempted by an elder to train young people in the church in the martial sport. Since then, the vibrant and fast growing church began to shrink. That particular elder committed adultery and embezzlement. Turmoil and division entered into the church. What was the cause or what were the causes of it? I knew that my activity was a significant cause of it, for Karate in church brought more harm than blessing (139, 140). My conversion to Christ was real, but my life’s load was still there (142). I radically destroyed all my attributes that reminded me of my martial sports past and thereafter I experienced a new level of freedom. I would recommend everybody to follow my example (141, 172).
Christian martial sport is an Oxymoron, which is a specific form of paradox. We cannot serve two masters at the same time (150). As proof for the legitimization of Christian martial sport, the following Bible texts are presented: Gen.14: 13-16, 2 Sam. 6: 14, Ps. 144: 1 and Ecc. 9: 10, Lk. 4: 28-30, Jn. 18: 3-6, but these texts not convincing (151, 161). Would Jesus have promoted these martial sports that are rooted on Hinduism, Buddhism and Zen? Absolutely not! It is possible to get cleansed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, but it is impossible to sanctify an activity (or object) that is rooted in the occult, which God has unwaveringly forbidden (152, 153).
Martial Sports / Martial Arts / Arts of War and Yoga are often cunningly disguised as self-defense, physical fitness, a sport, an exercise or a stress reduction method (18). They are the direct result of a strategically and on the long run implemented plan of an invisible spiritual world, which is at work in and through eastern religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Zen (21). Its cradle is in India and was shifted to China (22).
Meditation ensures that the spirit, the inner man, becomes receptive to the dark, spiritual realm (27). Hinduism, Buddhism and Zen Buddhism are based on Occultism (28). Martial sports cannot be effective without spiritual and supernatural assistance (31).
Self-defense is a wrong name for it. In martial sports one must transcend to the offensive in order to be able to defend himself (31). It is simply not true that martial sports and yoga can be rid of their original roots (32). ‘Martial arts’ is derived from the Roman god of war: Mars. It contains all sorts and forms of eastern martial sports (33).
In Martial sports it is basically told that ‘Chi’ or ‘Ki’ is the life force and inner energy that all men possess (39). When a practitioner cries out ‘Kiai’, he plugs in to a so-called universal energy force, without being aware of getting united with and using the energy of demonic occult powers (40). Yoga and Hinduism are not inseparably available (41). The word Yoga means ‘to bring under a yoke’ or ‘uniting or tying’. The aim of Yoga is switching off of the thinking, ceasing the movements of the body and cutting off all the sensations of the physical world (in order to bring the practitioner into unity with Brahman).
If the Yogis and Gurus indeed have reached the stage of the Nirvana (the vacuum), why are they still on the earth? (42)
‘Christian Yoga’ is an Oxymoron! Just as a ‘Christian Buddhist’ (45). The true light has got nothing to do with darkness. Do Muslims realize that when they engage in martial sports they actually practice another religion than the Islam, while it’s absolutely forbidden for them to do so (54)? Opening the door is an invitation to the powers of deception and divination of these false religions. They will invade one’s life, because these powers are now legally given the right to exert hostile influences. Encouraged by a violence-conscious audience that are shouting ‘Strike him dead! Kill him’, Cage fights, Kick Boxing, Karate, mixed martial arts, etc. have been developed into a ‘blood sport’. The following step is the Arena, the Colosseum in Rome with gladiators and fights that only ceased when death took place (55). People want more violence, more blood ….., which ends up in serious injury and even death (75, 133). With regard to video games, it goes into the same direction, because people on the other side have to be killed. Who can remember the difference between the real and the virtual life (56)?
The film and entertainment world has contributed enormously to promote the eastern martial arts in the western countries (e.g. Bruce Lee, The Little Dragon), Karate Kid) (60). Dragons and snakes often occur in martial sports, but in the Bible these animals are indicated negatively (63,69). Bruce Lee already died at the age of 32 due to a brain hemorrhage (some Lee fans claim that he was assassinated because he disclosed too much Kung Fu techniques) WJPH] when he was engaged in the production of his last movie ‘Game of Death’… (65).
Behind the physical human power there are supernatural, demonic powers (74, 79, 82). Producing a deep throat sound has different goals: 1. Intimidation; 2. To bring the opponent out of focus; 3. To transmit great fear and 4. To bring to the surface the hidden power source Ki or Ch’i. Some people think that after seeing these sorts of films, they too can deliver these crazy performances, e.g. flying and beating more than one enemy at the same time (68). It’s remarkable that instructors want to be called ‘master’ (72). Often, the great examples are like gods and to be envied in the eyes of many (85). “If you want to be like them, you will also receive his (‘Bushido’) spirit. Although I did not meditate, except for kneeling down, did not empty my spirit and bowed to my instructor and to other students before and after class, I thought to myself that it was all harmless” (80). From my own experience I know that the following are the consequences for participating in such sports: spiritual blindness, immorality, fear, pride, anger, and not being able to make healthy choices (80). I often saw extremely uncontrollable violence coming out of nothing from people who as far as I know, have never displayed such behavior before. I have seen strange contorted faces as that of Bruce Lee and his imitators and also totally expressionless faces, as if their mind had left them (84,85).
In the Asian culture, bowing is a form of greeting and the expression of honor and respect. But bowing in martial sport has a totally different meaning. It may imply a greeting, but most times it is an expression of unconditional submission to the other person, especially the instructor (86). It is a spiritual sign. When two martial sportsmen bow to each other for a match, it is a challenge: the spirit in the one challenges the spirit in the other. That match is not an encounter but a real battle. The bowing to a master or to a picture of a (possibly) dead master does not have the meaning of respect, but it expresses groveling and worshiping to a superior spirit in the (dead) master. It is a deed of subjugation, which automatically creates an opening for the same spirit that is at work in the master, which is in contrast to Luke 4:8 (119). This is a religious Zen practice, with the message ‘the god in me acknowledges the god in you.’ (87).
The training begins with how you defend yourself, but develops quite directly into offensive, violent tactics. The aggressiveness and violence attached to it are closely twined with psychological and physical methods in all martial sports (104). On the long run these effects will be manifested in different ways, such as pride, rebellion, anger, aggressiveness, intimidation, self-importance, irritation and a general feeling of invincibility (105). There is often a change of behavior in the pupils, who have become clones of their instructors (106). Spectators are shouting and screaming “Kill him, kill him, beat his head off, beat him down; do not give up!” (107) The calling for blood, etc. is that really something we want to teach our receptive children? I suppose not!
Many of these martial sportsmen have gotten injured physically, particularly in their joints, hands, ankles, knees, hips and spine, due to the unnatural physical movements that have been repeated thousands of times [Martial sports do not have the monopoly on injuries. Consider Water polo, Volley ball, Marathon, but martial sportsmen are particularly focused on injuring the opponent. WJPH (World Journal of Public Health)]. Contorted face expressions, accompanied by creepy cries are part of it. Movements and poses of insects, birds, tigers and monkeys are imitated. About 90 percent of the arts were born from the result of spiritual forces working through them (117). The promotors will tell you everything about the physical advantages, but never about the harmful physical and spiritual ramifications (109). Words like self-defense, self-confidence, self-control, self-consciousness, self-knowledge, complacency, clearly determine yourself as the center, with yourself as the norm, which is a lack of confidence in God (110, 148).
It is impossible to separate the spiritual aspect from the physical aspect (114). Jesus never teaches us to empty our mind, in order to receive an open mind, so that unhindered access can be created, but He does teach us to focus on His truth and to renew our mind (Rom.12:2). (115)
The call “Empty your thinking, empty your mind, you need more spirit” doesn’t mean that you should be more enthusiastic, but refers to a supernatural experience (118). “The touch of my instructor felt like a changing power that flowed into my body. Unclean thoughts may be the result of it, so that people commit adultery and lewdness and have dirty fantasies about another person.” (119)
More important than winning in a competition is the perfecting of the character of the participants. That sounds good, but what kind of character is it? The deeply rooted seeds of aggressiveness, anger and violence may remain unnoticed the first years, but it will be exposed later. How can you have Bible study first and then so bruise somebody who God loves? (134)
I have seen well-mannered pupils change before my eyes into aggressive, angry individuals because they were driven to a point of mental and physical exhaustion. They called upon invisible powers to give them power.
Pride and the ego go hand in hand in martial sports. Why would a Christian need Yoga or martial sport? Why is it accepted blindly in some churches?
A lot of compromises are made in the church (154). A deep cleansing from the effects of these activities is needed, so that believers can walk in freedom, strength and total victory. Just a little leaven can leavens the whole lump of dough (1Cor.5:6).
Martial sports often enter into the church in three ways:
A. Under the disguise of physical fitness.
B. As the necessity of self-defense and
C. As a means of evangelization (155).
A. In disguise of physical fitness
How is it possible that punching, beating, kicking and knocking another person to the ground produce a merciful, humble and peaceful spirit in someone? This cannot possibly become the fruit of the Spirit in the sportsman. What it does improve is violence, anger, pride, aggression etc, which is contrary to being Christ-like (156).
B. As the necessity of self-defense
If martial sports do deliver self-confidence, why do its practitioners carry weapons anyway? Many are deceived and claim that, thanks to the martial sports, they are like the unconquerable Superman (157). If Christians think they have to take care of self-defense themselves, to what extent do we then believe in God’s protection and defense by His angels? Three stories confirm that martial sports are not adequate.
* The violent gang leader Nicky Cruz met reverend David Wilkerson. Nicky also wanted to kill David, but strangely enough was not able to, thanks to a solid shield: the invincible power of protection by angels. Nicky experienced a greater power: that of Jesus Christ. After his conversion, Nicky has never used a knife ever for his battles, but a sword: the Word of God! (158)
* An infamous rapist, who admitted to have victimized about a hundred women, declared that there was one woman whom he could not rape.
He was stopped, not because she defended herself with a martial sport, but because she used the name of Jesus.
* A soccer player who went completely crazy, could not even be mastered by twelve cops of which the majority had learned self-defense, even not when they tased him. They couldn't do anything but shoot him dead. However, even experienced martial sportsmen do not always defeat an attacker.
C. As a means of evangelization
How can someone use an activity that is based on occult practices, rooted in false religions and infused with violence, to win men for Jesus? I would rather call it ‘reversed evangelization’. Once the door has been opened, the invisible demonic powers will leap in joy to take up residence in lives, even in the church life, and that without a fight. The Lord Jesus has not fought anywhere and never anywhere has taught His followers how they should defend themselves physically. He, on the contrary, taught them to sacrifice themselves, and to bless and love their enemies and to lay situations in God’s hands (155-160).
I have been in a situation where very violent men wanted to attack me without a reason, but I decided not to use my martial arts. I completely trusted in the Lord. To my surprise they were not able to touch me and because of this I saw the protection of the Lord by angels. Why would a Christian spend time on carnal, physical weapons, while the actual battle is spiritual? The greatest strength in the universe is the name of Jesus (163-164).
There are undesirable consequences for Christians who decide to take part in the martial sports and for those who remain in it after they became Christians:
1. Divination (the ability to read thoughts)
2. Violence, murder, Bushido war spirit
3. Supernatural energy, strength or power called ‘Ch’i’ (Chinse) or ‘Ki’ (Japanese) which from an evil spirit.
4. Hatred and cruelty
5. Aggressiveness, the inclination to provoke fights
6. (False) feeling of being invincible
7. Intimidation of others, to frighten others
8. Control of thoughts
9. Competition and superior attitudes
10.Possibly become suicidal (fear to loose life and honor and a false belief in Karma and Reincarnation)
11.Pride, arrogance, haughtiness
12.Idolatry of students toward the instructor
13. Control, rule over others
14. The conscience has become numb regarding sin consciousness and the necessity of remorse
15. Complacency, self-confidence
16. It gives a false identity, which is in no way Christian-like
17. Self-defense (what about our protection angels and our authority in the Name of Jesus?)
18. Deception (some become followers of false religions)
19. Sexual temptations by touching
20. Result of giving in to sexual temptations: adultery, inappropriateness, broken marriages
21.Blockages in spiritual growth as a Christian
22. The spirits behind the martial sports are the contrast to ‘the fruit of the Spirit’
23. Physical consequences have their toll on the body (169, 170)
http://secretsbehindmartialarts.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQffQga7kuw http://freeindeedministries.org/
The book ends with a suggested prayer to take distance from the martial sports, but also to confess, revoke, and break with Yoga and Transcendent Meditation and to bind these powers.
These are serious warnings. The author lumps all martial sports together and states that his experience is not universal but personal.
Notes
[1] https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vechtkunst (Martial arts)
[2] Thomas Leeflang, “ BUDO” boek, Prisma, pp. 153, 154
[3] ‘Martial arts’ Martial arts can also be linked with religion and spirituality. Numerous systems are reputed to have been founded, disseminated, or practiced by monks or nuns. Throughout Asia, meditation may be incorporated as part of training. In those countries influenced by Hindu-Buddhist philosophy, the art itself may be used as an aid to attaining enlightenment. Japanese styles, when concerning non-physical qualities of the combat, are often strongly influenced by Mahayana Buddhist philosophy. Concepts like "empty mind" and "beginner's mind" are recurrent. Aikido, for instance, can have a strong philosophical belief of the flow of energy and peace fostering, as idealized by its founder Morihei Ueshiba. Traditional Korean martial arts place emphasis on the development of the practitioner's spiritual and philosophical development. A common theme in most Korean styles, such as taekkyeon and taekwondo, is the value of "inner peace" in a practitioner, which is stressed to be only achieved through individual meditation and training. The Koreans believe that the use of physical force is only justified through defense. Systema draws upon breathing and relaxation techniques, as well as elements of Russian Orthodox thought, to foster self-conscience and calmness, and to benefit the practitioner in different levels: the physical, the psychological and the spiritual. Some martial arts in various cultures can be performed in dance-like settings for various reasons, such as for evoking ferocity in preparation for battle or showing off skill in a more stylized manner. Many such martial arts incorporate music, especially strong percussive rhythms. (See also war dance.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts
[3a] Klaas Vos, Judo is schaken met je lichaam (Judo, is playing chess with your body), Nederlands Dagblad, 19-6-2021
[4] T. Leeflang, a.w., pp. 30, 33
[5] T. Leeflang, a.w., pp. 124, 125
[6] Steve Arneil (6e dan, (6th belt)) en Bryan Dowler (3e dan) Het grote karate-boek (the great Book of Karate) (Helmond: uitgeverij Helmond, ?) pp. 6, 9, 10, 174
[7] Nederlandse Karate Kyokushinkai kort overzicht (Dutch Karate Kyokushinkai brief summary), editie 1990, p. 5
[8] Danny Soto, a.w., p. 15 Zie ook: https://stichting-promise.nl/categorieen/19-lichaamswerk-occultisme-en-genezing/710-tatoeage-rage (categories/19-physical work-occultism-and-healing/tattoo-fad)
[9] T. Leeflang, a.w., p. 64
[10] Sabine Zurel, Tae Bo is levensfilosofie, les van goeroe Billy Blanks, (Tai Bo is a life philosophy, a lesson from Guru Billy Blanks) Metro (?) 10-1-2000
[11] https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krav_maga
[12] Dominee in de kerk op de vuist met Arnold Van der lijde (The reverend, fighting in the church) en Boksende predikant wil beheersing van agressie, (and the boxing preacher wants to have control over aggression) Trouw, 10-4-2000, pp. 1 en 14
[13] Boksende dominee biecht: ook ik ben echte hooligan, (The boxing reverend confesses: i too am a true hooligan) Trouw 13-4-2000
[14] Zie uitgebreid artikel Hersenschade is er, maar de sportbonden kijken weg, Bram Endedijk en Enzo van Steenbergen, NRCNext, (See exhaustive article on Brain damage is there, but the sports associations look the other way) 24 en 25 -10-2020 en
Enzo van Steenbergen, Toezichthouder vechtsport: verbied klappen tegen hoofd (Supervisor of a martial sport: hitting each other’s head should be forbidden) en Deze vechtsporten durven klappen op het hoofd te verbieden (and these martial sports dare to forbid the hitting of the head), NRC.Next, 18-11-2020
[15] Danny Soto, “Zijn vechtsporten uit den boze?” (Are Martial Sports from the evil?) Het eerste christelijke boekje over vechtsporten (The first Christian Book about Martial sports) (Haarlem: Interkerkelijk Christelijk Centrum (Inter-denominational Christian Center) Haarlem, 1999) p. 32 ICCH: Veenbergstraat 12, 2023 KJ Haarlem, tel./fax. 023-5255004
[16] Criminelen kloppen soms letterlijk bij de sportschool aan. (Criminal sometimes are literally knocking on the door of the sports school.)) Kickboksers en de onderwereld (Kick Boxers and the criminal world) De kickbokssport is nauwelijks ‘schoon’ te houden, maar kinderen kunnen wel baat hebben bij de sport. (The Kick Boxing Sport is hardly to be kept ‘clean’, but children can benefit from this sport.) en Als de trainer deugt, leert kickboksen kinderen discipline, (And if the trainer is good, Kick Boxing teaches children to have discipline) Sheila Kamerman en Merel Thie, NRC Handelsblad 25-1-2013, p. 10, 11.
[17] N.a.v. een onderzoek van de Universiteit van Utrecht (In response to a research of the University of Utrecht): (http://www.sportsmedia.nl/bestuur-en-management/aanzien-en-overleven-in-een-sport-vol-passie (Sports Media.nl. Board and leadership/appearance and surviving in a sport full of passion) / Helft van criminele jeugd op vechtsport, (50 percent of the criminal youth are in Martial sports) NRC Handelsblad, 25-1-2013, p.1
[18] Mat.5:38, 39; Jn.18:22, 23
[19] 1Pet.5:8, 9
[20] Eph.6:10-12, 1Sam. 9, 10
[21] Rom.13:4
[22] Annelies Barth, Kan een christen een sportschool runnen?(Can a Christian lead a Sports school?) De principes van Wim van Doorn, (The Principles of Wim van Doorn. Christen Vandaag (Christian Today), nov. 1998, pp. 12-14
[23] Luc.22:38
[24] Zach.4:6
[25] He adds to his letter of 30th August 1999 to me: ‘If you would include this in your article, whether there is someone in The Netherlands. That person can have my address, because I would like to talk with him about it. For I absolutely do not pretend that there’s nothing for me to learn in this field’. W.J. van Doorn, Populierenlaan 3, 3911 GR Rhenen.
See also: Gerrit-Jan van Heemst, Niet knielen voor de training (No kneeling down before starting the training) Nederlands Dagblad, 1-12-2020
[26] ‘Jiujitsu is goed voor meisjes’ (Jiu-Jitsu is good for girls) (over Wim van Doorn (Abour Wim van Doorn)) Visie 7-13 feb. 1999, ‘God had met mij een stappenplan’ (God had a step-by-step plan for me) (over Mans van Doorn (About Mans van Doorn)) Visie, 25-31 juli 1999
[27] uit Samurai, vrij en onafhankelijk vechtsport(maand)blad (From Samurai, Free and Independent Martial sports (monthly Magazine), feb. 1979, p. 3
[28] www.cip.nl/nieuwsbericht_detail.asp?id=21647#reacties
Reacties (Responses):
* How Cool! I too am from Zeeland and I fortunately have no more in hand than the brown belt. What I do know, is that I was not yet a Christian when I was engaged in Martial art, which is connected to a certain lifestyle. Unfortunately, this lifestyle is often related to a certain demonic background! The recitation of magic spells for strength. Meditation and the opening of your thoughts to the “other world”. A Guru with the power of healing and sorcery. When I accepted the Lord Jesus as my Savior and Redeemer I was in bondage and there were demons that had to be driven out of me. They left, Praise be to the Lord! I went to work in the Army and Justice Department and had to apply Martial arts there in an appropriate way. Always in prayer with the Lord Jesus. He fortunately rescued me from many situations where indeed Matthew 5 is above everything! Greetings from Gio van der Wielen, Vlissingen 29-03-2011, 12:49:23
* That’s true! I also experienced this, but that’s 20 years ago. My son had a lot of nightmares and was in Karate for one and a half year already, when I became a Christian. The Holy Spirit made known to me that my son had to stop with Karate. Others thought it strange, but I was certain that there was something occult about it. When he stopped, his nightmares also stopped. Eight years later a booklet was published about a certain man called Soto, who had completely unraveled why the eastern martial sports are not good. He himself also had stopped his engagements with it, but was still bothered by evil spirits. I could warn many people about it, but recently there are many Christians that practice martial sports but don’t want to have anything to do with the fact that it is from evil. Anonymous. Nieuwegein 29-3-2011 11:47:36
[29] Danny Soto, a.w., pp. 19, 20, 29
[30] Danny Soto, a.w., p. 35
[31] Frans Bruijns & Ron Houtzager, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!, Herstel (Restoration), maart 1986, p. 10, overgenomen van Evangelisch Centrum ‘De kandelaar’ (The Lampstand) te Rotterdam (Copied from the Evangelical Center in Rotterdam).
[32] ‘The Judo Association!’ is now starting to make it obligatory that during the major tournaments the players greet each other before the Judo mat, which is unacceptable for us!’ A quotation from the letter of W.J. van Doorn on 30-8-1999
[33] Joost Verduijn, Bevrijdingspastoraat hulpverlening aan mensen die door demonen gebonden zijn (Deliverance Pastoral Assistance to people who are captivated by demons) (Hoornaar: Gideon, 1999) p. 80
[34] Danny Soto, a.w., p. 38
[35] Mat. 8: 28-34, Marc. 5: 1-20, Luc. 8: 26-39