Jesus taught people to be as harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). There was damage done in the ring. Concussions resulted in lasting brain damage. Some NFL players suffered long term brain damage as a result of football concussions. A boxing contestant tried to knock his opponent out. It is not a highly intelligent sport, but a contest that is too brutal. It harms rather than heals. It does not edify the community. I used to watch heavy weight boxing, but no longer have time for it. I watched less sports in general as it seems lazy to watch other people working hard, while I am doing nothing.If you are going to condemn MMA you need to consider boxing and any other combat sport with it. There have been many Christian boxers (dont know about MMA) such as Manny Pacquiao, George Foreman and Evander Holyfield.
For me the main issue is that people who fight do so out of free will. If they feel no conviction that it is wrong and choose to do so I will not condemn them for it. That is also the key difference to animal cruelty; animals are forced into fighting so it is not acceptable but people do so from their free will.
I used to watch a lot of boxing when I was younger but as I grew more spiritual, the thought of hurting another person for sport and money became sickening. Christianity is not about hurting others but instead about healing and up lifting.I've been watching MMA for quite some time and do really enjoy the sport. That being said, as of late I've been wondering if watching such of a violent sport is wrong. For the most part I've cut out all violent movies in and TV shows in my life (but to be honest I didn't really watch that many to begin with.)
Just to give an idea as to what happens in MMA bouts for the novice I've put some gifs in the spoilers below.
For me the passage comes to mind 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
My thought process is these men (and women) are destroying their bodies for this sport their temples. And yes some of these fighters are Christian (Vitor Belfort, Yoel Romero, and Dennis Hallman to name a few.) Romero even had a famous post-fight speech where he talked about Jesus.
That being said, I wonder if we're all hypocrites for either participating in or viewing the sport. Any thoughts?
I been training BJJ\MMA a couple years now and been to multiple gyms as I've moved states. Never met anyone who had an ego or was trying to hurt people.I used to watch a lot of boxing when I was younger but as I grew more spiritual, the thought of hurting another person for sport and money became sickening. Christianity is not about hurting others but instead about healing and up lifting.
I no longer watch boxing or several other sports. MMA is not about Martial Arts. It is about hurting an opponent and ego. None of this is about God.
May he bless you
I've met them many times. I've watched them act like idiots on TV. I listened to my nephew, ex MMA competitor, talk about them. That is not to say that most aren't decent people but Christians are not to bring harm to another person.Have you met these people you accuse of having an ego and harmful intentions, or are you just a mind reader?
The way they act on TV is mostly just acting, just like any form of entertainment. Sure, some of them might be jerks in their personal lives too, but that has nothing to do with the sport. Every aspect of life has people who are jerks. I've trained under multiple coaches who have won world tournaments multiple times in their respective weight classes and they are normal guys who care about their friends and family and students, give back to their community, etc, etc. Who are they harming exactly?I've met them many times. I've watched them act like idiots on TV. I listened to my nephew, ex MMA competitor, talk about them. That is not to say that most aren't decent people but Christians are not to bring harm to another person.
When I wrestled we could compete without doing that but I didn't really like boxing so I got out. I was a bouncer for years but the purpose there was to keep things peaceful and taught younger guys how to control situation by saying the right things and not by force.
FWIW, I think watching this kind of stuff is not terribly edifying and I know the emotive reaction is creates in its viewers. I would reconsider my meditation on this stuff if I was a regular viewer. It seems like the Christians who partake are also compromising in worldly values.I've been watching MMA for quite some time and do really enjoy the sport. That being said, as of late I've been wondering if watching such of a violent sport is wrong. For the most part I've cut out all violent movies in and TV shows in my life (but to be honest I didn't really watch that many to begin with.)
Just to give an idea as to what happens in MMA bouts for the novice I've put some gifs in the spoilers below.
For me the passage comes to mind 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
My thought process is these men (and women) are destroying their bodies for this sport their temples. And yes some of these fighters are Christian (Vitor Belfort, Yoel Romero, and Dennis Hallman to name a few.) Romero even had a famous post-fight speech where he talked about Jesus.
That being said, I wonder if we're all hypocrites for either participating in or viewing the sport. Any thoughts?
What "emotive reaction" is it creating? What "worldly values" are compromising Christians because of MMA?FWIW, I think watching this kind of stuff is not terribly edifying and I know the emotive reaction is creates in its viewers. I would reconsider my meditation on this stuff if I was a regular viewer. It seems like the Christians who partake are also compromising in worldly values.
Emotive reaction is the carnal urge to want to see a guy or girl get beaten up, and the worse, the better. Viewers cheer on who they want to see win, don't they? And winning is by the use of violence, is it not?What "emotive reaction" is it creating? What "worldly values" are compromising Christians because of MMA?
If it teaches discipline and sportsmanship, and if it provides an alternative to delinquent activity, I'd say that it does edify the community and that it does aid in the healing of people's character.It is not a highly intelligent sport, but a contest that is too brutal. It harms rather than heals. It does not edify the community.