
The Society of Mary, more commonly known as the Marists, is a Catholic religious congregation of pontifical right. The Marists were founded in France in 1816 by Jean-Claude Colin, and approved by Rome in 1836. The Marists are made up of several branches, including Marist Fathers, Marist Brothers, and Marist Sisters. While the Marists have been praised for their missionary work and contributions to education, they have also faced scrutiny for sexual abuse allegations within their institutions. Several Marist Brothers have been convicted of child sexual abuse in Australia, New Zealand, and Chile.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marital acts | Must be mutual and exclusive self-giving |
| Must be chaste and pure | |
| Must not be contraceptive in the strict sense | |
| Must not be nonmarital sexual behaviour | |
| Must not be masturbation | |
| Must not involve pornography | |
| Must not be satiating acts of foreplay |
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What You'll Learn
- Martial arts are okay for Catholics if they are practised for self-defence and protection
- Some martial arts are rooted in Eastern religions, with spiritual aspects that may conflict with Catholic teachings
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not explicitly mention martial arts, but it does address Violence: force
- The Catholic Church only condemns blood sports, where participants were denied Christian funerals
- Martial arts can be argued to violate Catholic morality if they are designed to devastate opponents or have deadly consequences

Martial arts are okay for Catholics if they are practised for self-defence and protection
Martial arts are generally considered acceptable for Catholics to practise, as long as they are practised for self-defence and protection. Many martial arts, such as karate, judo, and tae kwon do, are now treated as sports and do not carry the religious overtones they may have had in the past. They promote values such as discipline, endurance, friendship, courage, and justice, which are compatible with Catholic morals.
However, it is important to be cautious, as some martial arts schools are very cultish and may incorporate non-Christian spirituality into their training regimens. For example, Aikido is heavily influenced by the founder's ideology and Japanese religion, and Tai Chi is directly tied to Taoist philosophy. Catholics should avoid martial arts that carry overtones of false religions or that involve meditation and mysticism.
Some Catholics have expressed concern about the brutality and deadliness of certain martial arts, such as Muay Thai, and how they might violate Catholic morality. However, others argue that martial arts are good for the body and can be used as tools for good or evil. It is not the martial art itself but the intention behind its use that matters.
Overall, Catholics can practise martial arts as a form of physical exercise and self-defence without conflicting with their faith. It is essential to be aware of the spiritual components offered and ensure they do not interfere with Catholic beliefs and values.
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Some martial arts are rooted in Eastern religions, with spiritual aspects that may conflict with Catholic teachings
Martial arts have long been associated with Eastern religions, and their spiritual aspects may conflict with Catholic teachings. Many martial arts forms, such as karate, kung fu, and tai chi, originated in East Asian countries like China and Japan, where they were steeped in the spiritual traditions of Buddhism, Taoism, and Zen philosophy. The practice of these martial arts often included spiritual training alongside physical exercises, with the goal of strengthening both the body and the mind.
However, it is important to note that the integration of martial arts with Eastern religions is not universal, and the extent to which spiritual aspects are incorporated can vary. In the Western world, many mainstream martial arts forms such as taekwondo, judo, and jujitsu are primarily taught as physical disciplines, with little to no emphasis on their original spiritual roots. These martial arts promote values such as discipline, endurance, friendship, courage, and justice, which are generally considered compatible with Catholic morals.
That being said, there are certain martial arts that retain stronger religious elements. For example, Aikido is widely recognized for its prominent spiritual component, which may conflict with Catholic teachings. Similarly, Tai Chi, with its emphasis on focusing energy, may be interpreted as embracing new-age or Taoist philosophies that deviate from Catholic doctrine.
When considering the compatibility of martial arts with Catholic beliefs, it is essential to examine the specific teachings and practices of each martial art. While physical training in martial arts can be beneficial, Catholics are advised to approach spiritual components with caution and ensure they do not contradict their faith. The Bible warns against conforming to worldly thinking (Romans 12:2) and emphasizes the need to renew one's mind to serve and please the Lord (Ephesians 4:23).
Ultimately, the acceptability of practicing martial arts within Catholicism depends on the individual's intentions and the specific spiritual content involved. Catholics who wish to engage in martial arts can opt for styles that are predominantly physical in nature or seek out Catholic martial arts organizations that integrate their faith into the training. By doing so, they can benefit from the physical discipline and self-defense skills offered by martial arts without compromising their religious beliefs.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not explicitly mention martial arts, but it does address Violence: force
Some Catholics who practice martial arts view it as a form of physical discipline that is compatible with their faith. They believe that as long as the school or instructor does not promote spiritual elements that conflict with Catholic teachings, there is no issue with practicing martial arts. There are even Catholic martial arts schools that combine faith study with self-defense skills.
However, some Catholics express concern about the potential spiritual aspects of certain martial arts, especially those with strong religious elements like Aikido. They caution that Christians should carefully understand the spiritual components of a martial arts training program before participating. The Bible warns against conforming to the world's way of thinking (Romans 12:2) and emphasizes the need to renew our minds to serve and please the Lord (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23).
When considering the morality of violence in martial arts, Catholics distinguish between violent acts and the use of force. While violence for entertainment or enjoyment of seeing others hurt is considered immoral, using force for self-defense or protection is not inherently contradictory to Catholic teachings. Catholics are advised to make proportional use of force, and some martial arts can provide valuable skills in non-lethal self-defense.
In conclusion, while the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not specifically address martial arts, Catholics navigate the spiritual and physical aspects of these disciplines, ensuring they align with their faith. The key considerations are the presence of non-Christian spiritual elements and the justification for any violent or forceful actions.
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The Catholic Church only condemns blood sports, where participants were denied Christian funerals
The Catholic Church has a history of denying funerals to those deemed "manifest sinners", whose funerals could cause the faithful to view their unrepentant, mortally sinful behaviour as not a serious matter. This includes those who have committed serious sins that have become public knowledge, such as members of organised crime families. However, the Church's stance has evolved over time, and it is now much less common for someone to be denied a Catholic funeral. The Church now seeks to provide funerals for as many believers as possible, including catechumens and unbaptised children.
When it comes to blood sports, the Catholic Church has historically condemned them, particularly those that involve animal cruelty, such as bullfighting. In the 16th century, Pope Pius V issued a papal bull prohibiting blood sports and excommunicating those who participated in or supported them. He referred to blood sports as "cruel and base spectacles of the devil, removed from Christian piety and charity". This prohibition was intended to protect both human and animal souls, as Pius believed that blood sports dishonoured saints and religious events.
The Catholic Church's stance on blood sports and funerals for participants is not explicitly linked. While the Church has denied funerals to those deemed "manifest sinners", there is no indication that this category specifically includes participants in blood sports. The Church's denial of funerals appears to be based on the potential for scandal and the need to uphold the teachings of Jesus, rather than solely on participation in blood sports.
It is worth noting that the Church's position on funerals has evolved over time, and it now seeks to provide funerals for as many believers as possible. Additionally, the Church's condemnation of blood sports does not appear to be universally enforced, as there are still Catholic-majority countries where blood sports are practised and promoted by church people.
In conclusion, while the Catholic Church does condemn blood sports, the denial of Christian funerals for participants does not appear to be a direct or sole consequence of this condemnation. The Church's decisions regarding funerals are influenced by a range of factors, including the potential for scandal and the need to uphold the faith and teachings of Jesus.
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Martial arts can be argued to violate Catholic morality if they are designed to devastate opponents or have deadly consequences
Martial arts have a long history in Asian religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, and Zen philosophy. Many of the martial arts that are practised today, such as tae kwon do, jujitsu, capoeira, and judo, are defined as systems of physical technique rather than spiritual exercise. Training in martial arts, as practised by most schools, is entirely focused on refining athletic skills.
However, some argue that martial arts can violate Catholic morality if they are designed to devastate opponents or have deadly consequences. For example, one user on a Catholic forum described Muay Thai as having a purpose "to utterly devastate your opponent". They go on to say that even the "entertainment" uses of the sport are "brutal and bloody" and that "its improper use is extremely deadly".
Another user on the same forum thread points out that martial arts schools that openly incorporate non-Christian spirituality into their training regimens are rare. They advise that Christians should exercise caution and ensure that whatever physical training they receive is not tied to spiritual error. This is because the Bible teaches that the human heart and mind are "desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9) and in need of salvation.
Some martial arts, such as jujitsu or kenpo, are considered neutral in terms of spiritual content. Others, such as aikido, may be more challenging to separate from non-biblical spiritual practices. For example, one user on a Catholic subreddit noted that aikido has a stronger religious element compared to other martial arts systems.
It is worth noting that martial arts can also be argued to be compatible with Catholic values. For example, one user on a Catholic subreddit noted that martial arts promote values such as discipline, endurance, friendship, courage, and justice, which they believe are compatible with Catholic morals. Additionally, martial arts can be seen as a form of physical discipline that strengthens both the mind and body, similar to military training.
In conclusion, while some argue that martial arts with devastating or deadly consequences can violate Catholic morality, others emphasize the compatibility of martial arts with Catholic values and physical discipline. The key distinction lies in the spiritual content and intent of the martial art, with caution advised against practices that incorporate non-Christian spirituality.
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