In a funny sermon that has sparked debate across social media platforms, a televangelist has declared that all martial arts practitioners are destined for eternal damnation.
The preacher, whose identity remains unclear, made the sweeping condemnation while sharing what he described as a “hell testimony” from a fellow believer who allegedly received a divine vision.
“Everyone who practices martial arts, they are going to hell,” the televangelist stated unequivocally at the beginning of his message.
According to the testimony shared, the unnamed “brother in Christ” claimed to have been transported to hell during a deep sleep following a gospel meeting. There, guided by what he described as a “hideous monster,” he was shown various locations in the afterlife, including an “11th room” specifically designated for martial artists.
The testimony graphically detailed scenes of martial artists being tortured by demons who would punch them “sending the fighters flying up towards the air.” The account specifically mentioned samurai fighters being subjected to dismemberment.
Perhaps most notably, the testimony claimed to have encountered martial arts icon Bruce Lee in a separate area of hell reserved for “celebrities.” According to the account, Lee was being tormented by demons who mocked his fighting abilities.
“Show us your blows if you can defeat us. You are the king of the fight,” the demons allegedly taunted Lee, with one demon claiming to have been the source of Lee’s earthly martial arts prowess.
The testimony concluded with the statement: “Everyone who practices martial arts belongs to us. They are going to hell.”
This type of religious condemnation of martial arts is not unprecedented in certain evangelical circles, where Eastern practices have sometimes been viewed with suspicion due to their cultural and philosophical origins. However, many Christians who practice martial arts have pointed out that the Bible contains numerous references to combat, including in Psalm 144:1 which states: “Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”
The sermon has generated significant reaction online, with martial arts practitioners from various faith backgrounds responding predominantly with humor rather than offense. Comments on social media ranged from jokes about the “11th room” sounding like an exciting training opportunity to scriptural counterarguments referencing biblical figures who engaged in physical combat.
Faith leaders from more mainstream denominations have generally distanced themselves from such extreme interpretations, with many pointing out that martial arts in modern contexts are primarily practiced as sport, exercise, and self-defense disciplines rather than religious rituals.
