Muscular Christianity
Muscular Christianity is a philosophical movement that originated in England in the mid-19th century, characterized by a belief in patriotic duty, the moral and physical beauty of athleticism, discipline, self-sacrifice, and manliness.
By 1901, muscular Christianity was influential enough in England that one author could praise "the Englishman going through the world with rifle in one hand and Bible in the other" and add, "If asked what our muscular Christianity has done, we point to the British Empire."
The movement has been described as a reaction to a feminization of Christianity. "Organizations such as the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), Men and Religion Forward Movement, Boy Scouts, Christian Service Brigade, and, most recently, Promise Keepers sprang from this movement. These groups emphasize a uniquely masculine expression of Christian faith, American nationalism, citizenship, chivalrous behavior, and in some cases even skills in outdoor activities. Today, people often use the term "muscular Christianity" to refer to any type of male-dominated, outdoor, virile, or sports-oriented activity with a specifically Christian or evangelistic purpose."[1]
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