The Church Of Combative Truth
First, let me share with the reader that I am a person who believes in God: but this is not a posting on belief systems when it comes to religion, but rather a comparison of what I see taking place between religious factions around the world, and how it compares to the similarities of what is taking place in the field of modern combatives/RBSD today.
Not unlike religion, modern combatives/RBSD also have a variety of different denominations and sects, each with their own belief systems, tactical Bibles, and verbiage, with some even wearing a specific type of identifiable uniform to separate their style/belief from others. All have faithful followers, some of whom I would clearly call “zealots”, but all have congregations of “faithful” followers that will defend their leader, prophet, or in some cases Demi-God, if questioned or attacked by those either inside or outside of their “Church Of Combative Truth”
Today, those who travel and preach the “Church Of Combative Truth”, are growing in numbers, primarily due to everyone hoping on the RBSD bandwagon to make MONEY, and as result, many believe that they have found the “secret” to combative enlightenment which they want to sell to you and others. What I find blasphemous, however, is how many “cults” are being spawned as a result of the combatives/RBSD phenomena, and the negligent and even dangerous tools and techniques that are being promoted and taught to some. It is also interesting to note how many of these cults do not see eye to eye with one another, and infact go out of their way to attack their competition’s beliefs through negative propaganda, and at times truly false information.
With current world events, many outside the “Church of Combative Truth” are seeking enlightenment, understanding, and knowledge to keep both themselves, and others they love, safe when confronted with violence. To entice these sheep into their flock, many of these “cults” will prey upon human nature to entice potential members into their Church Of Combative Truth, with promises of tactical enlightenment that guarantee 100% effectiveness. Once in, these cults begin preaching their flawed “beliefs”, which through repetition and over time, can and do become one’s truth. If these truths are “questioned” or not “blindly” followed, then one needs to repent or be subjected to both a psychological and physical attack resulting in separation and isolation from the collective. The end result, human automatons that will continue to propagate tactically flawed principals of combatives to the uneducated, that fly in the face of real violence, and which will get one hurt or even killed.
I am a teacher in the “Church of Combative Truth”, who is constantly re-evaluating what it is I share with my student base. Why ???? Because what I teach could mean the difference between life and death. I constantly challenge my students to acid test everything we do, against the litmus paper of true violence. I encourage my students and instructors to explore other’s “truths” and to leave the “sanctuary” of our school and its beliefs for the purpose of growth when it comes to combatives. As instructors, we begin to believe that our “truth” is the only truth, and as such, sometimes teach with blinders of self-righteousness fully affixed. We need to encourage exploration and open mindedness, thus allowing us to test and evaluate other truths, never loosing the focus of soundly based combative principals as a foundation to work form.
In the end, if students and instructors are allowed to question, explore, test, and apply; one will find there are no “secrets” when it comes to combative truths, but rather certain combative “principals”, than when applied, will be constant when dealing with violence. Stay away from the CULTS within our industry, they teach “secrets” and demand that you “blindly” follow their authority for the purpose of protectionism which, like it or not, is grounded in financial gain rather than the true sharing of self protection principals.
Strength and Honor
Darren Laur
January 18, 2009 at 6:40 pm | Uncategorized | No comment