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Cavalry · 06-11-2003, 03:58 AM

Muslim Martial Arts???

That doesn’t make sense. Wouldn’t the term Indonesian or South-east Asian Martial Art be more appropriate, when referring to Silat?

EVEN WITH the *STRONG TIES* between Buddhism and Kung fu, that is Shaolin Kung Fu being developed in a Buddhist temple, does anyone call KungFu a “Buddhist Martial Art?”

Doesn’t just using the term “Buddhist Martial Art” sound odd?

Kung Fu is called a Chinese Martial Art.

No-one puts up a sign saying“Buddhist Martial Arts” outside a Muay-thai Gym or a Kung fu school. Imagine Muay Thai matches being advertised as “Buddhist Boxing Matches.” How ridiculous.

Imagine the next De La Hoya boxing match being called a Christian Martial Arts bout.

Krav Maga is called an Isreali Martial Art, not a Jewish Martial Art.

Boxing is referred to as western boxing.

Judo is called a Japanese Martial Art, not a Buddhist Martial Art.

Martial Arts are universally identified by the region they developed in, not by the religion that eventually spread to the land they developed in.

It sounds like a person wants to refer to Silat as a “Muslim Martial Art” to give Islam, a religion, higher status and prestige with Martial Artists or feel a stronger sense of religious pride by referring to a Martial Art alongside with their religion.

Imagine all the martial arts gyms and schools with websites, and that teach Muay Thai, begin their websites with saying “Come learn Buddhist boxing! Muay Thai is an excellent Buddhist Martial Art!” Would that not sound ridiculous?

I have an aunt who married a wonderful Muslim man, and she converted to Islam. Her daughter, my cousin, is Muslim. I love and care for them both very much, so this is not an attack against Islam.

Islam is a beautiful religion, as are Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. But to begin referring to martial arts as Muslim/ Christian/ Jewish/ Hindu/ Buddhist martial arts sounds ridiculous.

Calling Silat, an Asian martial art, South-east Asian martial art, Indonesian or Malaysian martial art makes much more sense.

06-11-2003, 03:58 AM	#15 (permalink)
Cavalry Novice Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 7	Muslim Martial Arts??? Muslim Martial Arts??? That doesn’t make sense. Wouldn’t the term Indonesian or South-east Asian Martial Art be more appropriate, when referring to Silat? EVEN WITH the STRONG TIES between Buddhism and Kung fu, that is Shaolin Kung Fu being developed in a Buddhist temple, does anyone call KungFu a “Buddhist Martial Art?” Doesn’t just using the term “Buddhist Martial Art” sound odd? Kung Fu is called a Chinese Martial Art. No-one puts up a sign saying“Buddhist Martial Arts” outside a Muay-thai Gym or a Kung fu school. Imagine Muay Thai matches being advertised as “Buddhist Boxing Matches.” How ridiculous. Imagine the next De La Hoya boxing match being called a Christian Martial Arts bout. Krav Maga is called an Isreali Martial Art, not a Jewish Martial Art. Boxing is referred to as western boxing. Judo is called a Japanese Martial Art, not a Buddhist Martial Art. Martial Arts are universally identified by the region they developed in, not by the religion that eventually spread to the land they developed in. It sounds like a person wants to refer to Silat as a “Muslim Martial Art” to give Islam, a religion, higher status and prestige with Martial Artists or feel a stronger sense of religious pride by referring to a Martial Art alongside with their religion. Imagine all the martial arts gyms and schools with websites, and that teach Muay Thai, begin their websites with saying “Come learn Buddhist boxing! Muay Thai is an excellent Buddhist Martial Art!” Would that not sound ridiculous? I have an aunt who married a wonderful Muslim man, and she converted to Islam. Her daughter, my cousin, is Muslim. I love and care for them both very much, so this is not an attack against Islam. Islam is a beautiful religion, as are Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. But to begin referring to martial arts as Muslim/ Christian/ Jewish/ Hindu/ Buddhist martial arts sounds ridiculous. Calling Silat, an Asian martial art, South-east Asian martial art, Indonesian or Malaysian martial art makes much more sense. Last edited by Cavalry; 06-16-2003 at 12:55 AM.