Expert: Carl Fuglein - 2/1/2010

Question
Hi! I'm back again.
So, basically my question is, if you kill someone in self-defense (as they were going to kill you or do some bodily harm to you) is it a sin? Because it seems like no matter which way I think of it, you
re committing a sin:
If someone is trying to beat you, it's a sin to do noting about it because you're supposed to take care of your body.
If you kill them, it's in violation of a commandment.
If you hurt them just enough so they can't hurt you anymore (say you break all of their limbs or maybe they're neck or something), it's a sin because you're harming somebody.

I'm asking because I take karate, and it's a christian karate school (shown by the fish on the sign). The instructor works at a Christian school, and, though we don't really talk about religion at karate much, she has mentioned it a little before, [like when she was describing a bee hive how perfectly created it was, how the only explanation for something so perfect was God]. So we are learning how to kill someone for self-defense purpose only, but is it in sin?

Do I have to quit karate?

And, when put in a situation where you have to make a decision, what would be the way to go?

Thank you so much, you always have great answers, I'm hoping it's the same with this question.
Thanks, -Jen

Answer
Hi Jenny-

You have such interesting questions.

Killing someone in self defense may or may not be a sin, I think it's a matter of your intent.  If you have any other method available to subdue your attacker, I think God would prefer that.  Unfortunately, in times of stress like that, you're just going to do what is intstinct.

I think God would prefer that you handle situations like that with love.  There are many instances of people being kidnapped and at gunpoint who have talked to their captors about Christ who have survived.  

I knew a young man who was once mugged and beaten up by a gang.  He didn't fight back.  He was pretty badly beaten, but a few days later, a couple kids came up to him and asked him why he hadn't fought back.  He told them he was a Christian and was able to witness to them about Jesus.

I can't really be the person to answer this question, because I think if someone were to attack my family, I'd try very hard to protect them.  I'm not sure I'd be able to just talk.

I think this would be a really good question to ask of your karate instructor.  And no, I don't think you should quit karate - it builds self discipline which is youself in other areas of life, and that's pretty much the point of Karate classes.

If you have to make a decision, protect your body first, and then protect your attackers body.  Does that make sense?

blessings

carl