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You are here: Home / Archive / Karate – the evangelicals’ bingo?

Karate – the evangelicals’ bingo?

November 1, 1999 by Richard Cimino

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Churches across the U.S. are starting marital-arts ministries and also raising questions about the limits of  using secular activities to draw converts and new members.

The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 28) reports that the growth of karate and similar martial arts groups in churches has helped bring the unchurched teenagers to Christian services. Such ministries as Kicks for Christ and the Gospel Martial Arts Union attracting are gaining members among both clergy and laypeople.

But the trend is facing a barrage of criticism from evangelical theologians and others, who claim that encouraging martial arts goes against the Christian injunction to turn the other cheek. Other critics cite the Eastern spiritual techniques and concepts that  are part of many martial arts exercises. But most Christian karate instructors remove any non-Christian practices and even see such self-defense training as being in line with warrior images in the Bible.

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Filed Under: Archive

Also in this issue

  • On/File: November 1999
  • Findings & Footnotes: November 1999
  • Cambodian religious freedom brings on evangelical surge
  • Ganesh galvanizing Hindu nationalists?
  • Satanist-based vandalism in Russia, Norway?
  • Current Research: November 1999
  • Vacation Bible School rebounds, draws in new participants
  • Healing rated most durable new age innovation
  • Practical preaching predominating?
  • Spirituality gains support, credibility among workers, CEOs
  • Law enforcers going back to school on new religions?

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