Should a Christian woman study self-defense?
She was waiting in line for her bus ticket when the man behind began to annoy her. She shifted uneasily. "Don't," she said.
He ignored her and became more obnoxious.
"Keep your hands off me," she said sharply.
Still he ignored her.
A moment later a policeman, bending over the prostrate young man, asked, "What happened? Are you hurt?"
The young man looked bewildered. He had not been aware that the pretty young girl he had been harassing was well trained in self-defense.
A course in self-defense can be invaluable
A course in self-defense can be invaluable to any woman. In an age when the crime rate increases about fifteen per cent annually, the martial arts must be taught as more than sport. In addition to judo, there must be some karate and other practical methods of self-defense.
Since the Christian's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, it is a woman's responsibility to guard her temple, to protect it from defilement. Many Christian young women are not aware of the evil thoughts of the wicked. A self-defense course will teach her to be more aware and to be on guard. She will learn to keep physically fit in order that she might defend herself effectively. She will learn to turn her opponent's strength against himself and to act instinctively in a dangerous situation. She will learn pressure points, or vulnerable areas to strike at if she is attacked. She will learn that practice is as important in self-defense as in learning to play the piano.
The Christian is to avoid trouble
The temptation of every student of the martial arts is to flaunt her newly learned skills. Only in TV drama is a small woman going to overpower her assailant easily. An "A" student may be able to throw a larger, stronger enemy. Unless she is very well trained, she may unconsciously signal her intentions by glancing in the direction she intends to strike. Or she may draw back at the last second, pulling her punches, so to speak, ruining her opportunity for another chance. In any case, the Christian's first objective is to avoid conflict whenever possible.
The association of eastern religions
One fear of the Christian is that the martial arts are associated with eastern religious or political origins. In some eastern cultures the common people were not allowed to possess weapons. In order to protect themselves, they learned to use parts of their bodies--hands, feet, elbows. As they perfected their means of self-defense, they carefully guarded the secret as one would any new secret weapon. It has been said that what man does he does because of his religion. So it was natural that this daily exercise become incorporated as part of the religious rites of these people.
The Christian woman does not partake in a session of "mind-cleansing meditation" nor do obeisance to an Oriental leader. She may bow before major events, however, in the same courteous spirit that prompts boxers to touch gloves before a match or tennis players to jump the net afterward. (If the judo student shook hands, she might get thrown!)
The only real problem might be for the Oriental Christian or for missionaries in an Oriental country. The eastern culture may deny the Christian this sport in the same manner that the apostle Paul denied himself meat offered to idols. If something is a stumbling block, it is better to deny self than to cause another to sin.
Judo has become a clean sport with rigid rules. But it may still offend some Oriental people. We must listen to the words of the apostle Paul when he says, "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend" (I Corinthians 8:9, 13).
The question of femininity
Can a woman have a black belt and still be submissive to her husband? Submissiveness or femininity does not have anything to do with a woman's size, build, or athletic ability. These are not judged by her ability to overpower a man.
Femininity is an attitude of mind and body. A physically weak, shrewish woman can be unfeminine by overpowering her husband with a sharp tongue. A strong woman may be very feminine in appearance and soft-spoken in manner. A star athlete is no more likely to take punches at those she loves than is any other woman.
The unfeminine stances used in the class are not flaunted in public. She does not advertise the fact that she is taking a course in self-defense.
On the other hand, the husband or fiancé may say, "She doesn't need that. I'll protect her." But he is not with her twenty-four hours a day. Whether at a shopping center or at home, she is frequently alone.
As Christians, we have the responsibility to do all we can before we can expect the Lord to help us. "Prevention" is the key word. Revealing clothing or suggestive behavior is an invitation to trouble for any woman. She should dress in a manner that does not call attention to the body, not wearing clothing too scanty, too tight, or too extreme in fashion. She should walk with a destination in mind, never loitering or inviting attention. When possible, she should invite a friend along on errands. In addition, she should study ways of defending herself, not with paranoid frenzy, but with the intention of being alert to possible dangers and becoming habitually cautious.
The knowledge of self-defense may save her life. But most of the time all she need do is walk away. She may lose her place in line, but she will retain the proper poise of a Christian woman.
Reprinted from FAITH for the Family (1980).
© Bob Jones University, www.bju.edu/faith. All rights reserved.
