Continuation from another thread. Do you consider Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to be a Martial Art? I personally do NOT. I consider it to be a Combat Sport. Same as Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling and kickboxing.

Martial Art for me Sport for others. Different strokes for different folks.

If Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a Martial Art then is boxing?

I don't think a boxer would say he trains martial arts. Nor do I believe a wrestler would say he trains martial arts.

By definition, martial arts have been used in military and law enforcement. If BJJ has been used as such anywhere around the world as their “combat system” then yes it would be classified as a martial art. I think the term “martial art” has lost its meaning today though. People automatically think Master Ken and Steven Seagal....

The Marietta, Ga police force mandates BJJ instruction for its officers. So looks like it qualifies.

Probably not but Jiu Jitsu competitors call their matches fights. Are they fights? I would say no, but its up for debate.

By definition, martial arts have been used in military and law enforcement. If BJJ has been used as such anywhere around the world as their “combat system” then yes it would be classified as a martial art. I think the term “martial art” has lost its meaning today though. People automatically think Master Ken and Steven Seagal....

By definition, martial arts have been used in military and law enforcement. If BJJ has been used as such anywhere around the world as their “combat system” then yes it would be classified as a martial art. I think the term “martial art” has lost its meaning today though. People automatically think Master Ken and Steven Seagal....

BJJ has been used in the Military & some police academies in official and non official capacities.

Find that definition for me where that's a qualifier

Is this a conversation where people have an opinion , or are you now going to ask everyone that has a differing opinion to yours to qualify their opinion ?

If Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a Martial Art then is boxing?

Is this a conversation where people have an opinion , or are you now going to ask everyone that has a differing opinion to yours to qualify their opinion ?

So then firearms training is a Martial Art as well.

I would say yes. It has morphed into a sport just like bjj has. Jiu Jitsu was not developed as a sport but with competitions and the safety issues it has become more sportive over time. Soon it will be just like TKD or Karate.

Firearms training can be considered a martial art. Is Japanese sword training a martial art?

But do you think boxers say they are martial artists? To me this is the issue. Language changes over time. Definitions can change as well. When I tell someone I do Martial Arts, I inevitably get the 'My 10 year old just got their black belt' comment. And I say 'That's now that I do'. Since most people see Martial Arts as your local kids only, mostly day care, watered down dojo then that means the definition we WANT it to have is not the accepted truth. Which means we can choose to say 'That's not what we do'. My classes are run much more like a wrestling or boxing class than a TKD class. And the average person doesn't think a kid wrestling in high school is learning Martial Arts. I tap. They win. I can't convince them to use my definition. The definition is set so we should move on from it.

Same argument as the other stuff: A firearms instructor would not say he is teaching Martial Arts. While you may want to put all of that together, they may not want you to do that. And they reserve that right as it's their profession.

No I don't believe they think that or classify it that way. My guess is they don't give it that much thought.

Nor should they, right?

Because the art of discussion isn’t about proving who’s right or wrong. It’s about considering others opinions . Opinions don’t need to be qualified because they are just that....opinions. Martial = relating to military. Hence Martial Law, Court Martial etc . Now, the Japanese translation literally translates to gentle “art”. Bear in mind, BJJ originated from techniques that were used in Japanese martial arts like judo, jujutsu etc. The techniques in these martial arts were used in the military and police.... even the samurai ! These techniques were taken by Jigoro Kano and utilised for education purposes as well as law enforcement whereby he developed Kano Jujitsu. This is what Maeda took to Brazil which he allegedly taught the Gracies. This same system is what was later renamed as judo. These techniques were apparently later used in some Brazil law enforcement and military. All that being said, and to answer your question. My opinion is that if something is used in the military or law enforcement then that qualifies it for the correct term as being a martial art. Martial art or not, it can be whatever the student wants it to be. If they use it to keep fit etc then of course it can be a sport. If they use it to fight in competitions then it can be a combat sport.

It depends on their perception. Some hardcore martial artists who also do boxing will probably say it is. Others who are strictly boxers won't. I'll leave it to them. BJJ could have been called brazilian judo for sure.

If you believe the definition of a word is about a personal opinion then..... You are wrong. The definition of a word is what everyone else around you decides. If you choose to use if differently then you are just being stubborn. A car is not a truck. But both are an automobile. But a plane is not an automobile. But all of them are vehicles. You can CHOOSE to say a plan is an automobile because you think they go together. But you would be wrong. An opinion can be wrong. Sorry.