IS MARTIAL ARTS DEMONIC?
QUESTION? / COMMENT!
I recall some years ago when I attended a healing service with a certain priest who said, that among the list of things that is a cause for demonic attack is martial arts. Is there a certain kind of martial arts that should be avoided or should all be avoided?
ANSWER! / COMMENT!
I took martial arts in order to defend myself growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Self-defense is clearly stated as a part of Catholic teaching in the Catechism (CCC 2263). Martial arts was also the form of exercise I chose in order to keep in shape and in fact, it kept me out of gangs and drugs because I had a very healthy respect for my body at a very early age, a great book which outlines this is called: 'Catholic perspective on Physical Exercise and Sports' by Aquinas Press. Most Martial artists, boxers as well as wrestlers are the most mild mannered people I have ever met because they know they can take care of themselves and this usually transforms them to become really well adjusted, well balanced, even tempered individuals who are emotionally in control of their faculties. At least this is what it did for me. Now, do I feel the same about kickboxing today at 63 years of age as I did at 24, not at all. But too many kids in the inner city, martial arts, wrestling and boxing is the alternative to gangs and drugs. I believe the Lord used the martial arts in order to preserve me through the confusing years of teen life. So long as martial arts does not become the be - all and the end - then I would say that you are in safe ground. You can make an idol out of anything, men need to make sure their chosen self defense sport doesn't become their 'idol.' Just remember that in Catholicism "motive" means everything. What are your motives for training in martial arts? Is it to hurt, maim and strike fear into people or is it to train, learn self-defense and discipline your body in order to glorify God for the gifts he has given you? I was fortunate that all my instructors were American and Christian, they believed in JESUS not Buddha. Remember JESUS is Lord, Buddha is 6 feet under, he’s wormfood. I would stay away from Asian instructors who promote Buddhist philosophy and meditation, that's dangerous. The Kind of martial arts that should be avoided are the schools that teaching the spiritual side to martials, the mantras, the breathing and emptying yourself out, the buddhist meditation, these are dangerous to your soul because they open you up to inviting and establishing a relationship with a demon(s).
By the way, 1/3 of the soldiers (from all 4 branches of the service) in the Middle East are Catholic, and are trained in some sort of self defense, this goes to show you that you can learn to fight and be a good Catholic. There is a history of good Catholics that integrated the task of learning to fight as part of vocation - such as the Crusaders, the Knights Templar. In addition to the Crusaders and the Knights Templar, there are several other Catholic religious orders known for their self defense training and involvement in military activities. These orders were key players during the medieval period, combining their religious missions with military objectives in various regions, they were highly trained fighters:
Knights Hospitaller (Order of St. John): Originally founded to care for sick or injured pilgrims to the Holy Land, the Knights Hospitaller evolved into a warrior monastic order that provided military support during the Crusades.
Teutonic Knights: This order was founded in the late 12th century during the Crusades in the Holy Land. The Teutonic Knights were a German medieval order that combined religious vows with military training, focusing their efforts on the Baltic region.
Order of Santiago: Established in Spain in the 12th century, this order was originally meant to protect pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela but also engaged in military campaigns against the Moors.
Order of Calatrava: Founded in the 12th century in Spain to defend against Moorish incursions, the Order of Calatrava combined monastic life with military duties, emphasizing both spiritual and martial training.
The Conquistadores: particularly those who participated in the conquest of Mexico and other parts of the Americas, as part of a broader group of individuals who were influenced by the military and religious aspects of Catholicism. While they were not a formal religious order like the Knights Templar or the Knights Hospitaller, many of the conquistadores viewed their conquests as a means to fulfill their perceived duty to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. They operated under the authority of the Spanish crown, which endorsed their missions with papal support, thus intertwining the religious and military aspects of their conquests. There is also the 'Holy League' which refers to a coalition of Catholic states and entities formed at various points in history to combat threats to Christendom comprised of Catholic laymen who had to undergo training in self defense and military tactics. The most notable example is the Holy League established in the late 16th century, particularly to counter the expansion of the Ottoman Empire after the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.