Christian Vigilance for the 21st Century

Okay, I've pretty much opined the subject of vigilantism to death, but I am going to now share a dream. Dreams tend to be impractical, so don't think I'll be disappointed over the fact that it probably would not work. So here it is, from the ethereal realm of pure theory:

I envision a modern-day version of knighthood. A Protestant religious order, if you will, that performs the following functions:

1. Local [parish] surveillance (a la the Neighborhood Watch programs);
2. Safety patrols (a la the Guardian Angels);
3. Service projects as a witness for Christ (a la the Paladins);
4. Fighting crime and political corruption through investigative journalism (to be published on the order's website).

And (of course!) each member of the order would be a resident sheepdog in his local church.

While I'm dreaming, let me dream a little bigger. Members of the order would be trained as medical 1st responders, so as to handle medical emergencies while on patrol, until the ambulance arrives. Local groups might also train in search and rescue techniques.

Training could be as involved as local individuals or groups desired for their service projects: auto mechanics, rappelling (not RE-pelling, please), firearms safety & instruction, becoming a CPR instructor, etc.

Local members of the order might look for gaps in the plans of their local or regional disaster agencies and make a niche for themselves by filling those gaps.

The order would appoint chaplains in each locale who would direct the devotional and evangelistic aspects of each local group. He would also lead in prayer or give short messages at community events sponsored by the order (e.g., CPR classes, self defense seminars, childhood safety classes, community surveillance groups, etc.)

The investigative journalism aspect of the order is, I think a suitable compromise in terms of pursuing justice. It would not leave us open to the same kinds of criminal charges that full-fledged vigilantes would face. However, bringing criminal activity and public corruption under public scrutiny is bound to have an effect resulting in suppression or possibly even prosecution of wrongdoers.

Members of the order engaged in this endeavor would have to be trained in journalistic methods and legal boundaries. Nonetheless, the American Establishment sees the 1st amendment of the US Constitution almost wholly as the "free press" amendment, so that this is probably the safest avenue for the order to take in pursuing justice for the guilty.

Local surveillance; safety patrols; service in both stable times and disaster; pursuing justice through investigative journalism -- a worldwide religious order with local teams of Christian Martialists who serve their King and their community -- that's my dream. The name for my dream organization? Order of the Cherethites, after David's personal guard, led by Benaiah the warrior-priest.

While this is as close to vigilantism as I'm willing to commit at this time, please recognize that a local chapter of this order could well serve as a nucleus for community organization in times of natural and economic disaster as well as civil disorder.

Vigilantism and the Real World

When I was a youngster, I loved to read comic books -- all kinds. Superheroes, funny comics, scary ones, mysteries.

As the victim in a world of bullies, I felt unsafe and vulnerable. But I found refuge in the fantasy world of comic book (and TV) heroes.

As I grew and faced my bullies, my fantasies bumped into the hard realities of the world. Even when you're fighting a just, defensive fight, getting hit still hurts. And winning the fight does not necessarily win the respect of those who torment you, as it always does in the stories.

Also, for some odd reason, hitting me never landed the bullies in trouble. My hitting back landed me in the principal's office. The reality is that habitual offenders know how to manipulate people (and the system).

Do you think a freelance vigilante would fare any better in the world outside school?

Criminal organizations have great funds of cash to buy influence among politicians, judges and police. If you went after organized crime figures, you would be hunted by both the police and the mob.

Furthermore, the Establishment (corporate, financial, political) would see you as a loose cannon. And they'd pool their resources to find and make an example of you, lest others follow your example.

And while we're on the subject of others, there very probably would be copycats. Most of them would be impressionable and unstable people, and you would ultimately get credit for the tragedies that they create.

These are just some of the reasons I don't see a comic book hero type of vigilantism working in the free world.

Elements of Punching, 4

Continued from "Elements of Punching, 3"

Why would a martial arts/self defense instructor say that it may take months, or even years, to learn to punch correctly? So far, I've discussed the body dynamics that go into developing punching speed and power. I also showed that modern methods of instruction abbreviate the learning curve.

Now, let's consider the most critical aspect of a punch -- the fist. As I have written in other places, the hand is finely designed, with small bones that are comparatively more delicate than the larger bones of the body. Because of this, a punch to your opponent's cheek bone, forehead or the point of his chin often results in broken hand bones.

It is for this reason that boxers wrap their hands and put on boxing gloves. The layers of padding protect their hands and allow them to punch harder than would be advisable in a bareknuckle match. (Even with all the padding, boxers sometimes break their hands in the ring.)

Thus, traditional martial arts place emphasis on correct punching form. You must learn to align your hand and forearm to protect the bones in your wrist, for example. Karate students must also learn to strike with the first two knuckles in order, not only to concentrate power, but to assure that the path of force will not damage the hand.

Finally, the martial arts student must learn to make a tight fist. As my Shito-Ryu instructor used to say, "You have to squeeze all the air out of your fist. It is not easy to do this to the degree required to keep the hand bones safe.

Also, the student must learn to keep his arms loose and supple while keeping his hands tightly clenched. Not easy.

Since all of these elements of making a fist and punching do not come naturally, it takes time to train oneself to do each one separately, and more time to do them all at once. Then you have to remember to maintain all the elements while executing various kinds of punches.

For this reason, I would say that learning to punch without hurting yourself is the single most time-consuming aspect of punch training. And that's why I prefer to train open hand strikes. They're safer to use, and they have a shorter learning curve.

More Church Shootings

It has been a busy week for violence in and against church & religious groups. I have to keep reminding myself of the awful tragedies represented by these incidents because, as numbers grow, it's easy to forget the personal side of the events.

Nevertheless, at the risk of sounding too clinical, there are lessons to be learned from these events.

On the east coast, the vestibule of St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Knanaya was the scene of violence and murder. An estranged husband entered the church building, shot and killed his wife and critically wounded two others. He shot all three in the head. (MYFOX News)

This was a domestic incident, and as you should know, domestic disputes result in more police deaths than any other type of case. KGMB9 reports

Police say the woman who died had recently moved from California to escape an abusive marriage and had filed a restraining order against her husband.

Restraining orders do not prevent violence, and in many cases,they provoke it. See The Gift of Fear for a fuller explanation.

If you are your church's sheepdog, you don't need to be a busybody, but it would be good to make yourself aware of domestic issues in your congregation that could erupt into violence. They present a real danger and could prove deadly.

On the west coast, there were two incidents this past week. One was a shooting at an event sponsored by Seattle's Valley Bible Church as an article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reveals.

In this case, the church group was not the target. An unfriendly exchange between men outside a convenience store was carried into the community center where the church young-adult function was taking place.

As the incident escalated, one of the men drew a handgun and fired. It is not clear from the sources I read whether the young man who died from a gunshot wound to the chest was one of the participants in the incident or just a bystander.

In an instance like this, the orcs are not specifically targeting churches or Christians. Their violence just spills over into the church and its activities. They do not fear God, so there is no respect of the church as a holy sanctuary.

The lesson here is simple: alertness.

The final instance is as strange and quirky as it is sad and violent. According to a report from the LA Times online, a security guard at the Scientology Celebrity Center shot and killed a man with former ties to the California-based cult.

An eyewitness described a bald man with tattoos who,

. . . stopped [the red convertible] abruptly in the driveway and climbed out with a 5-foot sword in his hand and an angry expression on his face. He walked toward the building, before returning to the car to get the other sword.

He entered the building and, brandishing the two samurai-style swords, approached security officers. One of them shot and killed him, and police say surveillance videos reveal that the officer plainly acted in self-defense.

I guess the lesson here is that anything can happen (especially in California).

Let this be a reminder to stay prepared in 5 major areas:
1) Mindset,
2) Skills,
3) Mindset,
4) Tactics and
5) Mindset.

2nd Amendment Fun

Here's a little 2nd Amendment fun, sent to me by Stephen over at Defending Our Christian Heritage. Now, you don't have to write me to mention a few items that might be a little unscriptural. They're not meant to be taken that seriously. (But there are some good points, too.)

Enjoy.

THE 2ND AMENDMENT

The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. (waiting for attack)

The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either.. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.


1. Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.

2. If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics [reek}.

3. I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy.

4. When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.

5. A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him 'Why do you carry a 45?' The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46.'

6. The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm. 'Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?' 'No Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my shotgun.'

7. Beware the man who only has one gun. HE PROBABLY KNOWS HOW TO USE IT!!!

But wait, there's more!

I was once asked by a lady visiting if I had a gun in the house. I said I did. She said 'Well I certainly hope it isn't loaded!' To which I said, of course it is loaded, can't work without bullets!' She then asked, 'Are you that afraid of someone evil coming into your house?' My reply was, 'No not at all. I am not afraid of the house catching fire either, but I have fire extinguishers around, and they are all loaded too.' To which I'll add, having a gun in the house that isn't loaded is like having a car in the garage without gas in the tank.

HAVE A NICE DAY But don't Monkey with Me....

Rendition: A Review

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
(Lev 19:15)

Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger (i.e., foreigner), as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God. (Lev 24:22)

Equality under the law is a Biblical concept. More than a concept, it is a requirement handed down by God. Without it, a society cannot even approximate justice.

The movie Rendition explores how the USA has departed from this principle under Homeland Security. The story is fiction, but it deals with real practices and issues.

The movie revolves around the CIA's abduction of an Egyptian-born US resident, Anwar Al-Ibrahami. Denying him due process, they transport him to a country which accepts torture as a legitimate means of interrogation.

As Ibrahimi's pregnant wife tries desperately and fruitlessly to find out what happened to her husband, we get a vivid picture of Washington's career politicians and bureaucrats who will not jeopardize their careers to pursue justice for one "insignificant" man.

The movie has parallel stories which reveal the motives and fears of Anwar's Arab interrogator and the inner conflicts of the CIA field agent who must watch the interrogation.

At one point, the field agent speaks to his superior in Washington via cell phone. He admits, "This is my first torture." His female superior corrects him: "The United States does not torture." This is technically true, since they have outsourced the torture to another country.

The movie is rated "R" for language, violence and torture scenes. I blocked the screen two or three times, when I thought a sexual situation was developing, but I don't think anything pornographically obscene developed. Anwar appears without clothing for the interrogation scenes, but without revealing genitalia. There is a sense of obscenity, but it is inherent in the debasement of one human being by another, not in any sexual display.

The film credits Clinton's administration with originating the practice of extraordinary rendition, and then mentions that it accelerated after 9/11. Other than that, I noticed no partisan references to Republicans or Democrats. The story, rather, focuses on the heartlessness of "national security" without constitutional limits.

Included on the DVD is the documentary "Outlawed" which describes the extraordinary rendition of two men. If you view this and shrug it off because these men are Muslims or foreigners, then you have rejected God's standard of justice as quoted at the beginning of this piece.

I recommend this movie to mature, serious Christian Martialists. It puts a face to the practices that have become accepted in our nation.

Sadly, many evangelicals excuse this inequality of justice for unbiblical reasons. They will support it until the engine of tyranny turns upon them, and the inequality of justice becomes the equality of injustice.

Speed/Power Tip

Keith Pascal has mentioned this tip for developing speed and/or power in your strikes and kicks. In fact, I've read this tip in two or three sources by Keith, so I don't think we could call it a secret.

The tip is to practice the end of a strike or kick. That is, position yourself at the point where you can do the last quarter of the movement. Practice that until you are satisfied with the improvement.

Then practice the last half of the movement. Then all the movement except the first quarter, and finally, practice the whole movement.

This reverse order training lets you concentrate on eliminating extraneous motions from each phase of the strike. It also allows you to focus on convulsive speed in each phase. AND -- because you practice the last part most, it gives your strike a great finish.

Of course, this tip is coming to you second-hand. I recommend you go over to Keith's site at punchharder.com and get some free hints and tips straight from the source.