There are obviously people on this forum who are into the martial arts as there is a folder here talking about obsession with the martial arts. Anyway I want to point out that a sensei, an instructor in the martial arts, should be respected as any instructor should be, but should not be worshipped like a god. A sensei is not a god. Exodus 20:3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
It's a natural result of people watching countless movies that more or less promote the martial artist teacher or master as -- at the least -- a minor diety. Then there is the intermixing of Buddhist and Taoist and Confuscious philosophies . . . all of which sort of point towards the same attitude where learning and practicing the martial arts is concerned. All of that factors in as well as the atmosphere of the dojo/kwon itself. The more traditional in nature it is the more likely that the 'worship' is to happen. The core of this phenomenon, however, goes as far back as far as when one's very life very was very likely resting on just what one's 'master' had taught . . . as well as how much of that had been correctly absorbed by the student. I'm not in any way promoting the above mind set, I am just pointing out some of the reasons why it happens.
Good grief! What are you talking about? Sensi, Sifu, Masters are simply teachers. However, in many dojos, quoons and so on, they are a way of life for people. As Myagi said, karate is a way of life to stay balanced in all things. This in and of itself is not replacing one's Judeo-Christian Beliefs. With that said, there are people that place their teachers, coaches, musicians, actors and politicians above where they should be and do worship them. Groupies are in every walk of life. They usually have some mental issues as well. And, there are those in leadership positions in martial arts that do demand more than they should as well. But, I wonder why you are so fixated on this?
