>This brings me to the big 3 (Judaism, Chrisitianity, Islam).
> In many cases one can simply focus on learning the
>"techniques" and not the rituals or philosophies that go
>along with it.

Response: If the rituals and philosophies cannot be sepeparated then a Christian should avoid these disciplines. Tao is a completely different world view than that of Christianity. The two are complete opposites.


However, in arts gaining much popularity in
>the West such as t'ai chi and capoeira, this is not
>possible. In t'ai chi, the accompanying religion/philosophy
>is Taoism. How do the big 3 see/understand concepts of
>"chi" and "ying-yang"? These concepts clearly cannot be
>understood by the big 3, "ying-yang" especially, because it
>nullifies the existence of "God vs. Devil." In capoeira,
>_EVERYTHING_ (let me say this again) _EVERYTHING_ is tied to
>an orisha; the instruments, music, movements, rituals,
>_EVERYTHING_! Capoeira and Candomble are sisters with the
>same Afrikan parents. In fact capoeira is a religion within
>itself. *My favorite quote from an angolero: "Church?! I
>don't need church! I got capoeira!"

Response: we see pantheism as a teaching totally contridictory than what scripture teaches. We do not see God as all and all is God. God is sovergn and reigns over everything including evil.
>
>Knowing what was previously stated, how does a practitioner
>of one of the big three JUSTIFY practicing and studying one
>of the aforementioned as they go against their own
>teachings?

Response: i don't think that you can. unless you can seperate the theology from the actual martial art itself.