?

Driving down the street in Greenville to get to the grocery store I saw a sign on the side of a building that made me do a bit of a double take. I read it quickly but somehow couldn’t get the two parts to “go together”. And, frankly, I wondered why the add on sign was even there?

My brain was thinking that martial arts were somehow in conflict with Christian principles as I understood them from my Sunday school days. To me martial arts are controlled “violence” but the Bible usually preaches peace and caring for your neighbor. (Again very simplified and probably incorrect.)

Curious I came home and googled a bit and began to understand a little more. Apparently Christian faith based families don’t like that martial arts may include exposing themselves or their children to eastern philosophy and/or religions. Hmmmm.....so one is only secure in their faith if they are never invited to explore any other religions?

I was raised attending a Lutheran church. I went because that’s where my parents went. (Or rather my mom attended and loved her church....my dad went on Christmas Eve and I remember he walked out one year when the sermon got too long.) I don’t think children pick a faith...they follow their family. I did....until I began to question things during confirmation classes in junior high school. And taking a history of religion class in college really opened my eyes to accepting other faith traditions.

So maybe the Christian based community around here is “right” to be worried....expose yourself to the “other” and you may open your mind to worldly ideas. You might also begin to understand just how many faith-based stories and traditions are similar whether from the Bible, the Quran or the Torah....or Hindu or Buddhist or Sikhism or....or....or.....

Oh well.....I am not enrolling in the school....I don’t have any kids involved. I’m sure there are other martial arts studios that do not emphasize this bias. Choice is good.....usually.....