Ron Hamm

My background is strongly religious. .I was raised with Christianity; my entire family was involved. My brother has become a Christian minister. .For a while, I considered the minstry, but realized that I never felt a "calling." So I veered in a different direction.

I took martial arts. .What I discovered is that martial artists behaved MORE like Christians than Christians. .In Christianity, there are many ironies; the first will be the last, losing your life saves it, etc. .In college, I had a close friend who demonstrated the greatest forms of Christian behavior, though he was Jewish. .He was willing to put his life on the line for me. .He was not taught this behavior; he simply DID it. (He later became a karate student).

My observations:

1. There are positive forces in life. .Your background does not mater.

2. Certain things can be almost identical, but SOME people can only concentrate on the differences.

3. Some people want to align themselves with GOOD values/forces. .Some don't.

4. I also noticed a simple comparison to my religious beliefs (with martial arts).

In my religious upbringing, I was taught about a Trinitarian philosophy. .There is a positive spirit (called God). .Depending on your point of view, the God can be in three states:

1. Mental - Omniscient
2. Physical - Omnipotent
3. Spiritial - Omnipresent

Now... what is the goal of martial arts??

1. Mental conditining - Learn your strengths and limitations
2. Physical conditioning - Make your body healty
3. Spititual conditioning - Indomitable spirit

The martial arts philosophy is Not to go to violence.

So looking at the three elements, martial arts supports the Christian ethics, and Christiantiy supports the proper usage of martial arts.

In my family, this is a point of separation. .However, for me personally, I believe this is a point of integration.

Why are we at war in the Middle East?
Why is there racial prejudice?
Why is there such hatred?
Why can't we all just get along?

Why? .Because of a person's internal unhappiness, and because of a basic inabiltiy to integrate the three elements.

In 2003, I was finally identified as having Non-Hopkins Lymphoma. .I was given a 50-50 shot of living if I underwent chemotheraphy; I had a near zero chance of living without treatment. .My martial arts background had given me some self control. .My Christian background helped me to be "at peace with the world." .My attitude changed. .I wan't angry. .I was happy at the good life that I had, happy to have friends, happy that I maintained a good family life, happy for my accomplishments. .I was about life; I was content about death. .I would let God decide.

My attitude affected people around me. .My docotr changed my survival odds to 80%, then later to 90%.

And then there is my dad...

Although my dad personally LOVES Sensei, he did not endorse martial arts. .However, last year, when he noticed how my attitude changed and how focused I was about the Presiential Fitness test, and he recognized how much Sensei had improved my life, his heart changed. .He wanted me to pursue this black belt. .One person integrated the supposed yin-yang dualtiy of Christ and karate.

So I now look at martial arts as a significant way to improve the quality of life -- everyone's life.