Why is Lineage so important to some people?

[MightyB]

The proof is in the ability to apply. Not in who your teacher was/is.

I think that the classic disconnect is there. People who train to fight don't put a lot of stock in lineage either. it's not like you're going to learn anything by osmosis. And there are loads of genuine and authentic kung fu schools that haven't fronted a fighter to date.

Which is why I say, it's not important except if you want it to be important.

bullsh*t - would you go to learn BJJ from someone with an unproven or unverifiable lineage? Same standards hold true for kung fu. Most likely if the person isn't displaying proper skill, it's because they've faked or fudged a claim on lineage. They never were disciples or they never had any real time with the instructor yet, because they saw so and so in a seminar, they claim to be of that lineage. It's usually not difficult to find out who has real lineage vs fake with a little research.