Black Magic ... Policeman

UK -- A 42-year-old former Scottish policeman, who claimed he was a black magic high priest, has been convicted of sexually abusing three youngsters, news.stv.tv reported.

The man told a 12-year-old boy, one of his victims, that demons and spirits would kill him and drag him to hell unless he carried out sex acts.

The youngster told the court that the man had abused him almost every day for four years, between 1988 and 1992, using evil threats to silence him.

The man befriended the boy after he joined a martial arts club that was run by him. The abuse began when the man, who still lived with his parents, invited him to stay overnight.

Another alleged victim came forward in 1999 to complain that he had been indecently assaulted by the man at the age of seven while the paedophile was babysitting him. He resigned from the police that year but was not convicted. He was finally charged years later when two other victims came forward to report incidents of similar nature.

The Black Belt Pastor

California -- Mike Peoples, an associate pastor from Sutter Creek, earned his karate black belt in September 2008, according to ledger-dispatch.com.

Peoples, who began his training as a teenager in 1991, said "This has been great. Karate has helped me communicate with people in a new and different way."

Religious Leadership

Illinois -- Police continue to sort out incidents that turned violent over the weekend between two Rock Island church families, according to qconline.com.

Police say it started at a house where an 18-year-old was stabbed by a church leader on Saturday and continued into another church Sunday.

A minister's son was reportedly arrested for threatening people with a "karate-like" weapon, police said.

Great religious leaders... and what a "mass"! And the "karate-like" weapon must have been one of them numb-nuts ... ehh ... dumb-ducks? You know the two sticks tied together with a cord thingy :-)

Vicars Wife

"l Fight the Good Fight – From Vicar's Wife to Killing Machine", is a book written by Catherine Fox.

I do assume the "killing machine" part is sort of tongue-in-cheek, since this is not what most people would associate with judo - 'the gentle art'.

It does sound like this book is written with a lot of humor, and would make a great read. If nothing else, it should be able to shatter a few myths about martial arts.

Like the author herself says: "(...) it is not something that clergy wives do that often, roll around on the floor with sweaty men."

Source

Chennai Karate Priest

India -- A visit to the Ashtalakshmi Temple in Chennai may astonish many, as there is a priest who is also a karate trainer.

The forty-six-year old priest has been practicing karate since his youth.

Sheshadri's is a big fan of Bruce Lee, and derives a lot of inspiration from his father, who was also a well-known karate exponent.

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Does Not Sit Idle

California -- Mentor, professor, psychologist, chaplain, and a karate black belt, Edward Muneer Abdulmumin is a man who does not sit idle.

The 60-year-old resident of Riverside reverted to Islam in 1975 and views his faith as the motivating factor in making a difference in his community.

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Abdulmumin is no stranger to the violence, drug, and gang problems plaguing this area. Much of Abdulmumin’s life has been dedicated to mentoring and providing opportunities to underprivileged youth.

He heads the Du Bois Institute to provide positive alternatives to street life for youth through fitness, academic and creative research and tutoring, as well as gang and drug prevention.

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Judo Chinese Cult Program

Heck yes, of course we're a cult - worshiping the dark forces and evil empires, doing mystical rites ... wearing colored belts (spooky ...), bowing to god knows what (pardon the expression).

And yes, you're so right - judo is actually a "Chinese cult program" :-) Can't wait to tell my judo friends! I'll bet these pajamas wearing monsters with their totally wicked belts even sacrifice children.

Seriously, where do these people come from - the Middle ages? And of course religions are not being cults ...?

Best, or rather, worst part is that people actually spend time to answer brain-farts (again, pardon the expression) like this.

Story (a question posted online):
"Is it wrong for Christians, or priests, or ministers of the Christian faith to attend judo classes and earn color belts? Is judo not a Chinese cult program? I pray for these people, but I'm concerned about what they're doing and whether such activity would scandalize the parish."

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A Martial Arts Cleric

This is way cool!

Story:
UK -- A sheffield minister is hoping to add a black belt to his white collar - when he caps off years of martial arts training later this year.

Rev Noel Irwin, aged 42, who runs the Victoria Hall Methodist Church in the city centre, has trained for years in a variety of martial arts but hopes to achieve his ju-jitsu black belt in June.

Currently a brown belt in traditional ju-jitsu, he also trains in the modern Brazilian ju-jitsu style with the Gracie-Barra group at Hillsborough.

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White collar, black belt

Joe Grenier has gone from wearing a white collar to sporting a black belt. The Catholic priest, turned family man, turned martial artist, earned his black belt in tae kwon do yesterday in Stroudsburg. At age 74.

Before a panel of three black belt judges, Joe, who lives in Price Township, spent more than an hour and a half Saturday having his skills tested. And he passed the test with flying colors, along with flying fists and feet.

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Pastor nails it

Ken (69), who is a pastor at a church in south London, says he has been lying on a bed of nails since he was 14 and claims his training in martial arts helps him overcome any pain.

He added: "It's mind over matter really. I keep a bed of nails at my home in Wales and I practise whenever I can. The martial arts keep me in shape too.

The pensioner wants to give something back to the Mayday hospital after doctors saved his life when he was treated for a lung infection last month.

Source

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Female Jiu-Jitsu Chaplain

Sasebo chaplain Sunny Mitchell is a student of jiu-jitsu:

Q: What about you might surprise most people?
A: I love ballroom dancing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Q: How does studying a martial art fit with being a chaplain?
A: I’ve done it on and off for most of my adult life. I started fighting in the jiu-jitsu club in college after watching the first UFC. When I moved to Atlanta for graduate school, I started training with a well-respected Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor. While in seminary and the few chances I’ve had to train in Sasebo, I use the mat time to release the day’s frustrations.

Q: How has studying jiu-jitsu affected other areas of your life?
A: As a female, I’m more aware of safety situations. I try not to put myself in situations where I could subject myself to being harmed.

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