Legal Issues in The Martial Arts: Legal Combat

Ron Tottingham

There are many things people see martial artists as, or think they are. However, martial artists are not all of what others think they are. There is several things here, there is what the martial artist thinks he is, there is what the puplic at large thinks he is, then there is what the legal world thinks a martial artists is. And these are often not the same. To limit our discussion to a specific area, let's talk about legal combat and what a Christian martial artist is and is not.

First, what the Christian martial artist is not:

One - They are not show offs. The spirit of a show off is certainly not in keeping with the spirit of the "Christian" martial artist, which should obviously be the foundation of one's training. All true martial artists should have genuine training. Humility, meekness, etc.; also, many art styles teach a form of mind leading, which is a trained attempt to avoid combat. Therefore, any genuine martial arts training will greatly decrease the spirit of a show off.

Two - They are not looking for a fight! That also defies the very tenants of any true or genuine Christian martial arts training. Some martial arts systems are fight oriented. The Ninja would be one, meaning assassin, and there are others. However, the philosophy of Christian martial arts is a defence oriented philosophy. Never attack? No, we believe that in a situation of impending violence, after using mind leading techniques or attempted avoidance of actual combat, one might see attack (controlling the situation) as the best possible means of the least inflicted injury to all parties. But, the Christian martial artist is not "looking for" a fight. He who goes looking for a fight will soon find himself in a legally libelous position sooner or later, and in a spiritually dangerous position.

Second, what the Christian martial artist is:

One - There is a status which the public and the legal community expects the martial artist to reside in. Every martial artist is to either avoid fighting or be a trained agent. The trained agent is held accountable for his actions by a much more chargeable accounting. Therefore, does the Christian martial artist wish to fall under that accounting? Should he ever fall under such accounting? "Let not our good be evil spoken of" It would be expected that one's Christianity be highly questioned if he were to be "looking for a fight". Why would a Christian even fight? For defence. Defending righteousness, protecting another from a violent assault, indecency, robbing, etc. Therefore, a Christian's fighting would be of a defensive philosophy, even if aggressive in a fight. This would certainly forfeit "looking for a fight".

Two - The Christian's philosophy is derived from the Biblical description of God's philosophy, as we are to be conformed into the image thereof. That Biblical philosophy of God is " to defend the defenseless". God says over and over that He will be the father to the fatherless and the guardian of the widow. To those who need "a man around the house" in times of equalizing unequal situations, God says He is the equalizer. This is the Christian philosophy's root. Looking for a fight is not Christian martial arts, but defending the defenseless is.

PLEASE NOTE:
Articles that appear on the GMAU website on the Executive Council pages are authored and provided by the individual council member.As such, the article content reflects the opinion of the author and may not necessarily reflect the official position of the GMAU.The Executive Council represents a very diverse group of experts. The Council is comprised of high ranking Christian martial artists from across the United States and around the world.Each council member is an official GMAU Headquarters appointment. Councilmen lend their expert/professional advice to the GMAU in their respective fields.The GMAU Council represents the "inner circle" of chief advisors to the Executive Director. In any such group of experts, one can expect different positions on practice, philosophy, and ideology.The articles are intended to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.Articles are posted with the understanding that the Gospel Martial Arts Union is not responsible for content, claims, or opinions. Therefore, specific questions, concerns, comments, etc., should be directed straightaway to the author.