What do you think? Can a pacifist compete in martial art competitions?

Question

I have learned several martial arts and am adept in defending myself. Additionally, due to martial arts and other factors, I have become a pacifist in terms of conflict; I'm still working on the inner peace, but I'm still young.

I want to compete in martial arts competitions because I don't see it as a fight to cause intentional harm but more of as a sport.

I have trained in the traditional version of the arts for years, but now I think I want to try something new.

Do you think one can be a pacifist and still compete in these competitions?

Answer 1

I think you can have certain values and compete but passivity is not one of them. Not everyone will respect you or that in you and there are those that compete with whom winning means everything and they sometimes do it at the expense of others.  I have seen on one or two occasions where a skilled, experienced, and knowingly mean competitor took to task an inexperienced, passive, and ill prepared competitor just because he could and the referee was not experienced enough to handle or stop it.  When confronted with those situations you have to be anything but passive.  A certain amount of aggression is and will be needed on your part.  I do think though that you can compete, be agressive and still exhibit other good traits like respect, good sportsmanship, honesty, and integrity.  Those things themselves will say volumes about what kind of a person and competitor you are.

Answer 2

Yes, you're not fighting a war or engaging in a conflict, you're taking part in a sporting competition. Would you play a game of tennis against someone? If so I'd say you're fine for the competition.    

Answer 3

Sure you can.  Of course, you could compete in forms and not have any conflict at all.  However, assuming you are point sparring, you can look at it as an advanced form of playing tag.  

Answer 4

yes, but you'll probably have you *** handed to you

Answer 5

i do mma fighting. and I still think yes. I call the cops when a real fight breaks out or something of the sort. I walk away on the streets and I hate war. but in the cage we are two athletic competitors who want to test out how good we are. mma is not for all but I still see no problem with it. how ever this is for you to decide

Answer 6

i dont think you can, because a TRUE pacifist avoids alll conflict (and all compitition is a form of conflict)  

Answer 7

sparring traditionally is two fellow martial artist competing for fun with honor and good intent. neither wants to kill each other or break one another's bones. you can compete in sparring and if you can't do that you can compete in forms. competitions aren't the bloodbaths portrayed in 80s and 90's movies, truly there is a sense of respect in the competition room.

Answer 8

well, Martial Arts means "the art of war", but I think if you want to go to a tournament, I mean, it is a sport.  So yeah you can still compete

Answer 9

I've taken and take many martial arts and I can control myself, but if someone wants to dance then I won't turn them down... it would be rude. lol. I know someone who just got back from a competition. Everyone in his weight category must have been pacifists because none of them showed up. lol. And let's not forget that pacifist's spelling is very close to pacifier which is for babies. You're not a baby are you?