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The more I read, the more I see and the more I understand, it might be that MA is becoming …. a belief system similar to a religion or a sect or a something. Some speak with such fervor it sounds like a sermon at the pulpit. Some speak or write with such reverence I wonder is folks are taking to it so hard that they are replacing something with something to fill some void.
Example, a person writes about “Karate’s Darkest Moment,” as if that moment is momentous enough to have affected a social construct, it that even possible? Yes, it is as anything is possible with enough people, enough belief and enough fervor, postulating and preaching. I see it sometimes in smaller groups such as some smaller groups within the Isshinryu communities.
When a sensei or kohai or someone else is put upon a pedestal where dissent or discord comes from any deviance from the word as it comes down off that pedestal is that a system similar to a belief in say a particular group, i.e., be it religious or other nature. When we put something up high we don’t expect it to fall and any thing that would, could and may cause it to fall becomes “blasphemy.” Hmmm …
Blasphemy as in an act or perceive offense in speaking, writing to telling against some sacred thing such as a particular dogmatic belief in some person who, in this example, created a system that is or would be considered irreverent.
When one takes something to the level of serious where any perceived lack of respect for that person or persons go against their beliefs is that not a becoming of some thing? What is that thing? Is it religious of sorts or just a strong belief that at the levels perceived result in conflict and violence? Even if adamantly argued it is not a religious belief or any other type of belief system.
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