How to Live Safely in a Muslim Country As a Christian

Are you a Christian living in a Muslim country, or will you be going there--and you want to be safe? Read on!

1. Be glad that most Muslims are tolerant people who want to live peacefully and provide for their families, and you may live among such kind and thoughtful people safely.
2. Realize that there are a small fraction of less open minded Muslims that will not be tolerant and thus will often verbally or physically attack members of other religions. Be aware that this type of Muslim, also known as "radical" Muslims, have killed or tortured a number of Christians primarily because they were not Muslims--without any personal association or knowledge of the character of those targeted.
3. Read up on how radical Muslims may chase away or endanger Christians in Bethlehem and have even killed Christians in several countries. Most people don't know that the war in Darfur includes radical Muslims driving out (and in some cases threatening) Christians (and native animists) because they are different. This kind of information is rarely reported, but that's why information and learning articles on the web--and elsewhere--need to deal with such situations firmly, fairly and honestly.
4. Remaining in or moving into a Muslim country safely will call for consideration of your surroundings. Are there other Christians that are allowed to live there without being bothered? Are they allowed to openly practice their religion without attacks? If so, then go about your business and hope nothing changes, but always be alert for the unexpected at any moment.
5. Consider keeping your beliefs and practices under wraps for safety, if Christians in your area are persecuted or attacked when their beliefs become known. Many religious people have hidden their religion, successfully, for generations. You must worship and pray in seclusion, and keep any religious items safely secured for use in private with trusted people.
6. Beware, if you want to remain open about your religion, and take the consequences as they come: "Live free or die" could then be your motto and a kind of martyrdom may result.
7. Work for safety together with Christians and other persecuted religious and other good (non-radicalized) people, such as Jews, plus reasonably moderate artists and gays who are not really out. These people have all been targeted for harassment and murder by the radical Muslim, and there can often be safety in numbers of people who do not draw negative attention by their usual, daily behavior outside of religious considerations which hopefully can be practiced fervently within small and secure circles dictated by the circumstances.
8. Write and speak about your experiences, and let the world know of them. Currently, many people seem to think that Jews are the only ones that radical Muslims are attacking: not so. Educate your acquaintances and the world at large.
9. Make sure that you don't run around overtly trying to preach and convert the people to Jadeo-Christian beliefs. When in the Muslim country--you'll be a clear target if you do not act carefully and safely.
10. Don't be flashy about your beliefs, maintain them on the low setting, with your family in prayers, communing with people of like faith and in private study. After all some people can be influenced by close acquaintances and sincere lives with personal testimonies--not shouting or publicly singing and playing religious music.
11. Blend in by appearances; you don't have to go against your faith to do so. Join in on different social and sports groups if they have any and make friends with the local people, be friendly, sincerely accepting their differences and customs--being tolerant but not condescending (judgmentally). Do not judge others unkindly or with self-centered impatience; be generous and forgiving of failings and weaknesses.
12. Give and similar things will be given to you. As you measure accurately (in all kinds of matters), then others will measure back to you in similar ways as honest people of almost any background respond fairly when treated fairly... This does not mean to be open about your beliefs with most of them--but honest in business and not cheating or shrugging off opportunities to assist them. Many of the people in the Middle East, Africa, or Asia live in poverty, so that good or adequate shelter, food and clothing are like luxuries as they may be supporting large families including the older folks and children who don't have retirement or welfare programs. Go the second mile and expect nothing in return; so that you will not be embittered or judgmental if they forget or can not respond in kind when you have been helpful.

History of chinese MARTIAL ARTS

INTRODUCTION TO MARTIAL ARTS:

Martial arts or Wushu, have been created and developed for self-defense and survival throughout human history. Correct Chinese Wushu training improves physical ability, health, and willpower; it gives an individual an excellent method of exercise, a personal art form, a competitive sport, and a basis for self-defense and sparring. Total martial training includes Ti (kicking), Da (punching), Shuai (throwing), Na (controlling), Gi (hitting), Ci (thrusting), etc. Related to each style are basic forms, or sequences, which may involve defense strategies, offense, retreat, mobility and immobility, speed and slowness, hard or soft postures, emptiness and fullness, with or without weapons.

Other training will include practical defense using that particular style, defense simulation such as two-man choreographed sequences for beginning contact training. There are also internal and external body training methods to strengthen the body to withstand strikes and blows. In the advanced stages of training, a student begins full-contact training by sparring with semi-control in order to add realism to the training.

Wushu (literally, "martial methods") was historically termed "Wu-Yi" or martial arts. Fairly recently, the Chinese government changed the term to "Guoshu," or "national method." The term most popular in North America is "Kung-fu," which actually means one's ability in any skill, not necessarily martial.

Under the present Chinese government, the term "Wushu" is accepted. Ancient Chinese history records that during the "Spring and Autumn" and the "Warring States" periods (770 B.C. - 221 A.D.), the king of the Zhou kingdom ordered a sword contest. A young woman by the name of Yuh Niuy emerged from three thousand swordsmen as the ultimate victor in a seven-day contest. Her sword methods and philosophies were passed down for a thousand years. Some of her writings expound timeless Wushu philosophies. For example:

"When fencing, though highly alert,

The appearance is as calm as a fair lady's

But when in action, a vicious Tiger emerges.

On a similar note:

"Weak and exposed in appearance;

But powerful when unleashed.

One's reactions may start afterwards,

But the response arrives there first."

One further writing by Yuh Niuy dwells on the essence of Wushu:

"The Way is so small and simple, but the meaning is timeless and profound.

The Way has an entrance; it also has a Yin and a Yang.

The entrance constantly opens and closes,

Yin and Yang weaken and flourish.

When the Way is battle, be full-spirited within,

But outwardly show calm and be relaxed;

Appear to be as gentle as a fair lady, but react like a vicious tiger.

Though hidden within, the spirit of the body moves;

Though obscured like a setting sun, the spirit moves like an unleashed rabbit,

Catching the body and outrunning shadow like a mirage.

Back and forth in one breath.

The spirit cannot be retained in form.

And, though ever moving, it cannot be heard."

Ever since the Zhou Dynasty, which ended in 771 B.C., practical Wushu training has included basic skills, such as strength training, fencing, staff sparring, spear training, etc., and it has also included training by using forms, such as the Shaolin Eight Methods, with the basic form supplemented by weapons forms, two-man forms, staff forms, etc.

The emphasis and importance of this type of martial training has played an important role throughout Chinese history. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), which was one of the most powerful periods of Chinese history, warriors were actually chosen through martial competition and officers were promoted through this same sort of competition. Since at that time communications were well established with many neighboring countries; Chinese Wushu had a pronounced impact on these countries and was called "Tang Soo Do," the Way of the Chinese Hand. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.), various forms of Wushu were well established in Korea, Japan, Tibet, and many other countries. What is called "Karate" is actually a descendent of Southern Chinese boxing forms, and similarly, Judo can trace its origins to the importation of Chinese wrestling and Qinna, the precursor of Jiu-jitsu.

This spreading of Chinese Wushu has interested martial-arts researchers; some researchers have found many rare martial arts styles from records or isolated practitioners in neighboring countries. Currently, Wushu styles are being openly taught, with martial artists sharing their knowledge and comparing their styles. This movement has brought harmony to the martial community and has encouraged the polishing of the individual styles. Training in the various styles of Wushu has been supplemented by modern knowledge of physiology and the health sciences.

Today, Wushu needs and uses recent advances in sports medicine, nutrition, etc., because it is often practiced as a highly demanding sport and a delicate, complex art form...not just a system of self-defense.

FORMS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF WUSHU

To attempt to classify Chinese Wushu is very difficult because of the number and variety of styles in the enormous country of China. Don=t forget that one-fourth of the world population is in China! Traditionally, Chinese martial arts are classified by one of three methods:

1. Internal or External styles.
2. Southern or Northern styles.
3. As "Shaolin" or "Wudang" or "Ermei."

Roughly speaking, the difference between internal and external styles can refer to whether the strength is from the torso and legs (internal) or whether the strength is derived from training of the more specific arm and leg muscles (external). The word "internal" often connotes a more pliable martial style. Southern or Northern styles naturally refer to the general origin, but finer distinctions are often made about style differences of these two schools.

Shaolin boxing styles are generally said to be derived from the form of fighting practiced at the Shaolin Temple in Henan province. Similarly, Wudang is the name of a mountain used by Taoists in Hubei province and Ermei is a significant religious mountain in Sichuan province.

General classification aside, modern Wushu competition groups performances into six categories for purposes of judging:

1. Empty Hand Forms
2. Weapon Forms
3. Choreographed Routines (involving 2 or more people.)
4. Group Practice
5. Sparring Competition
6. Qigong (Chi Kung) Power Demonstrations

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