Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 02:06:49 -0700 (PDT) From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 9 #217 - 4 msgs X-Mailer: Mailman v2.0.8 MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Sender: the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net Errors-To: the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net X-BeenThere: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.8 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net List-Help: List-Post: X-Subscribed-Address: rterry@idiom.com List-Subscribe: List-Id: The Internet's premier discussion forum on Korean Martial Arts. List-Unsubscribe: Status: O Send The_Dojang mailing list submissions to the_dojang@martialartsresource.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net You can reach the person managing the list at the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of The_Dojang digest..." <<------------------ The_Dojang mailing list ------------------>> Serving the Internet since June 1994. Copyright 1994-2002: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Korean Martial Arts. See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! Today's Topics: 1. Christianity and Self defense (CKCtaekwon@cs.com) 2. Religion & Martial arts (Miguel) 3. Re: MA & religion (spunkykvf) 4. Martial Arts & Religion (Virginio Rodriguez) --__--__-- Message: 1 From: CKCtaekwon@cs.com Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2002 00:04:38 EDT To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Christianity and Self defense Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net The Bible and self-defense © 2001 WorldNetDaily.com After my plea to Americans last week to buy firearms as a first step to fighting terrorism, a number of Christians wrote challenging my prescription as unbiblical, unscriptural and ungodly. Wrong. The Bible couldn't be clearer on the right – even the duty – we have as believers to self-defense. Let's start in the Old Testament. "If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him," we are told in Exodus 22:2. The next verse says, "If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft." In other words, it was perfectly OK to kill a thief breaking into your house. That's the ultimate expression of self-defense. It doesn't matter whether the thief is threatening your life or not. You have the right to protect your home, your family and your property, the Bible says. The Israelites were expected to have their own personal weapons. Every man would be summoned to arms when the nation confronted an enemy. They didn't send in the Marines. The people defended themselves. In 1 Samuel 25:13, we read: "And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff." Every man had a sword and every man picked it up when it was required. Judges 5:8 reminds us of what happens to a foolish nation that chooses to disarm: "They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?" The answer to the rhetorical question is clear: No. The people had rebelled against God and put away their weapons of self-defense. "Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight," David writes in Psalms 144:1. Clearly, this is not a pacifist God we serve. It's God who teaches our hands to war and our fingers to fight. Over and over again throughout the Old Testament, His people are commanded to fight with the best weapons available to them at that time. And what were those weapons? Swords. They didn't have firearms, but they had sidearms. In fact, in the New Testament, Jesus commanded His disciples to buy them and strap them on. Don't believe me? Check it out. Luke 22:36: "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." I know. I know. You biblically literate skeptics are going to cite Matthew 26:52-54 – how Jesus responded when Peter used his sword to cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest: "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" Read those verses in context and they support my position. Jesus told Peter he would be committing suicide to choose a fight in this situation – as well as undermining God's plan to allow Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection. Jesus told Peter to put his sword in its place – at his side. He didn't say throw it away. After all, He had just ordered the disciples to arm themselves. The reason for the arms was obviously to protect the lives of the disciples, not the life of the Son of God. What Jesus was saying was: "Peter, this is not the right time for a fight." In the context of America's current battle – as we make plans to rebuild after the devastation of Sept. 11 and defend ourselves at the same time – we should recall Nehemiah, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. "They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon," we're told in Nehemiah 4:17-18. "For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded." Any more questions, skeptics? by Joseph Farah is Have a Great Day! --__--__-- Message: 2 From: "Miguel" To: Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2002 08:54:32 -0400 Subject: [The_Dojang] Religion & Martial arts Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net TimiD, A couple of places that you can visit for more on the subject... http://www.sellteam.org/ - Christian Tae Kwon Do http://www.uscdka.com/ - The WTF Tae Kwon Do Association which sets training standards instructor certifications and and school charters. Miguel http://garciatkd.com "If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kickboxing" --__--__-- Message: 3 Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2002 07:49:32 -0700 From: spunkykvf To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: MA & religion Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Thank you Ray for this article, it was quite informative without being "in your face". I would have to say that I have met a few Christians who take the "turn the other cheek" quite literally, and have lectured me on how if I accept Jesus, then I am safe no matter what. When I ask what they would have me do if I or a loved one is threatened, I am told that I win no matter what, b/c if I or my loved one dies from the attack, as long as I did not harm anyone, heaven waits. As a 30 yr old, I think I can wait as well, so it's nice to see some opinions from other Christians who can see that self defense is not a sin. Spunky >From: Ray Terry >Something from the archives... > >-------------------------------------------------------------------- > Martial Arts and the Christian Faith > By Bob Orlando > >As a Christian martial artist, I am often asked two questions >regarding my martial arts study and my faith. From non-believers >(those who do not follow "Biblical Christianity") I am asked how I >reconcile the apparent conflict between martial arts training and >Christ's admonition to turn the other cheek. --__--__-- Message: 4 From: "Virginio Rodriguez" To: Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2002 16:00:01 -0400 Subject: [The_Dojang] Martial Arts & Religion Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net TimiD, first of all martial arts teach you to achieve things you thought you were not capable to achieve. As an example to feel confident in a not so confident world. Selfdefense allows you peace inside to be able to go out and enjoy the beautiful world the Lord has created for us. It is not to go and play with danger... it is enjoying the journey of accomplishing goals... reaching limits and setting new ones! It is of taking care of the body that was given to us ans try to reach the body-mind-spirit potentials it was meant to achieve. Tito(kidsmd) --__--__-- _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang http://the-dojang.net It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 104C, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-578-4632 FAX 719-578-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.org Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2002: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply. Remember 9-11! End of The_Dojang Digest