A controversial televangelist has sparked debate by claiming that karate and other martial arts are demonic practices that open practitioners to evil spiritual influences.
In a recent viral clip, the televangelist asserted that karate means “empty hand” and explained his interpretation: “When I empty my hand, that means my mind is becoming empty. When that happens, it’s not your hand anymore because a demon goes into your hand.”
The religious figure went on to argue that Christians should not engage in martial arts while serving Christ, stating emphatically, “No, it’s demons, it’s evil spirits.”
He claimed that breathing techniques used in martial arts can induce altered states of consciousness, making practitioners vulnerable to dark forces. “There’s so much emphasis on breath in the martial arts, it actually causes the brain to enter an altered state of consciousness. And when that happens, the brain becomes an open doorway for spiritual influences, not just from God, but from the devil and his fallen angels,” he said.
The televangelist also pointed to symbolic imagery associated with martial arts as evidence of demonic influence, noting, “Look at the symbol that’s behind him, it’s a dragon. And we know from Revelation 12, that’s Satan.”
In one of his more startling claims, he described witnessing what he believes to be supernatural occurrences during martial arts demonstrations: “I have seen where they will punch within like an inch of your chest and actually cause your heart to stop. It’s a spiritual power that is causing that. That was a spirit, a demon.”
These assertions have been met with skepticism from many martial arts practitioners and religious scholars, who argue that the televangelist’s claims misrepresent the philosophical and physical aspects of traditional martial arts. Proponents of martial arts often emphasize its focus on discipline, self-defense, and personal development rather than spiritual practices.
