Is this much ado about nothing?

[Lik3]

Last week, I was watching a boxing match on television and I found myself watching said match. Should Christians watch boxing, muy thai, or mixed martial arts? Do they promote violence or is it much ado about nothing? I am concerned that in my view, kids should not watch those sports, and maybe even pro-wrestling, though scripted, at times promotes racist, sexist content. I guess I am one of those sticks in the mud, but I was disturbed at seeing a kid watching her father win a boxing match. I understand the kid cheering her father, but outside of that, should kids even watch those athletic endeavors/sports? To reiterate, would this also be much ado about nothing? I guess it wouldn't be harmful because realistically kids should learn to defend themselves since other kids can be quite cruel, but should children also participate in mixed martial arts or anything similar?

 

[Strathos]

It's a sport. They're not actually trying to injure each other.

 

[Celticroots]

It's a sport. It's not sinful. I think some people are paranoid and see sin everywhere in everything. And self defense skills are useful to have in a life and death situation.

 

[rturner76]

I think children and adults can learn about, practice, compete in,and watch,both boxing and competitive martial arts though I don't think I would let the kids watch UFC until probably 13 or 14 cause it gets very violent and bloody with people getting choked unconscious and broken bones. Boxing, you can get a broken nose or a concussion so that's not a joke either. That's what I would stress. This is not a joke. These are trained professionals who practice every day. They run, lift weights, hit the heavy bag and other equipment. I say if you are going to let kids watch pro fighting or martial arts, they should be involves in boxing or martial arts classes/training so they can learn respect for the sport, respect for their opponent, and when it is appropriate to use what they are learning. I think if they see the fighting, without taking the training, the hype of the big show they put on will make fighting look cool and not emphasize the discipline that goes along with it. Having a coach or sensei as a youngster is one of the best things for a boy I think. They really teach them life skills and make a bond and mentorship that can last for years, even a lifetime. Like when they turnteenagers and don't want to listen, they nay still listen to coach or sensei.

Wrestling is an awesome sport like boxing or martial arts but pro wrestling is garbage. Keep the kids away fron tht trash as long as you can. Pro wrestlers are athletes, even world class and what they do is some of the hardest stuff to pull off in any "sport" but kids imitate that stuff all the time. I know we did and I don't know how we survived. Plus the way they degrade women like you were saying racist and over the top arrogant attitudes that suck when they rub off on these kids. I know cause I had to work with kids during the "Attitude Era" of the WWE and kids were just psychotic off watching that stuff.

Sorry to write so much, I just have worked with kids and mentored them in outdoor education stuff and I know how much they get out of training in some of these sports/arts

 

[~Anastasia~]

How does it affect you? How does it make you feel, react, think? Does it bring you closer to God, further away, or neither? If you can be truly watchful of such things, and truly honest in your replies, you will have your answer for pretty much any question of this nature.

 

[Nithavela]

It's a sport. They're not actually trying to injure each other.

It's the only sport where they actually are trying to injure each other. The goal is to punch the opponent so hard that his brain gets enough trauma to shut down for minute or two. How is that not trying to injurie one another?

That said, they are both willing participants, they take precautions against heavy injuries, there are doctors by the ringside and so on. I don't think it's that big of a deal.

 

[Suicidegirl1988]

Christian should follow Christ right ? Did you read anything about Christ beating some Jews because of unbeliev ?

 

[zephcom]

Frankly, I don't think anyone, Christian or not, should watch boxing. Sports in general can be dangerous and athletes can get injured. But mostly sports are not designed from the ground up to injure athletes.

The purpose of boxing is to win by rendering the opponent unconscious. That isn't sport. It is just brutality for the sake of entertainment. It won't go away as long as people will watch it.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

God, through Paul, cautions about being 'overly righteous'.

 

[Nithavela]

Christian should follow Christ right ? Did you read anything about Christ beating some Jews because of unbeliev ?

Not with his fists, only with whips.

 

[ananda]

Last week, I was watching a boxing match on television and I found myself watching said match. Should Christians watch boxing, muy thai, or mixed martial arts? Do they promote violence or is it much ado about nothing? I am concerned that in my view, kids should not watch those sports, and maybe even pro-wrestling, though scripted, at times promotes racist, sexist content. I guess I am one of those sticks in the mud, but I was disturbed at seeing a kid watching her father win a boxing match. I understand the kid cheering her father, but outside of that, should kids even watch those athletic endeavors/sports? To reiterate, would this also be much ado about nothing? I guess it wouldn't be harmful because realistically kids should learn to defend themselves since other kids can be quite cruel, but should children also participate in mixed martial arts or anything similar?

I'll speak for Buddhists: the purpose of all "external" activities are ultimately done to shape and condition the mind. Anything which causes the mind to degenerate and disharmonize should be shunned, and anything which causes the mind to be uplifted and settled into equanimity should be encouraged.

 

[Ygrene Imref]

Last week, I was watching a boxing match on television and I found myself watching said match. Should Christians watch boxing, muy thai, or mixed martial arts? Do they promote violence or is it much ado about nothing? I am concerned that in my view, kids should not watch those sports, and maybe even pro-wrestling, though scripted, at times promotes racist, sexist content. I guess I am one of those sticks in the mud, but I was disturbed at seeing a kid watching her father win a boxing match. I understand the kid cheering her father, but outside of that, should kids even watch those athletic endeavors/sports? To reiterate, would this also be much ado about nothing? I guess it wouldn't be harmful because realistically kids should learn to defend themselves since other kids can be quite cruel, but should children also participate in mixed martial arts or anything similar?

Formal martial art practice and sparring is worlds different from PPV fights. I have had many different sparring partners of different weight classes, and we never hurt each other on purpose - only once by pure accident. Martial arts is more about being able to avoid confrontation than it is about being an effective defender of an attack. The mental training is just as (if not more important) in pure/formal martial arts. It combines philosophy in practice.

A lot of people that walk away and/or allow people to "talk about them" in public or private instead of fighting may be martial artists: those foolish ones provoking them dont realize they may be seconds from being obliterated.

With that said, I believe boxing and MMA are blood sports. It is reminiscent of ancient Rome, Babylon, Phoenicia, etc. People may not be paying $50 to see people kill each other, but learn how to be fine with seeing two people beat each other to near death. You can bet these type of things are predictive programming to get people used to Colosseum days to come.

People were actually upset Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps wouldn't be racing a real shark in open water: that is either from ignorance of what a shark is, or blood lust. Either way, it should be alarming seeing as people were disappointed a real human being wouldn't risk his life for publicity.

 

[dayhiker]

I very seldom watch fighting .. It bothers me that people are beating on each other.
I have mixed feelings as to calling it sin, as they are volunteering to fight each other. So they are signing up for any punishment they take before hand.

I'm still watching some football, but suspect if they don't get the brain concussion thing under control I'll stop watching that at some point.

 

[Sketcher]

They're combat sports. They're OK to let kids watch, provided you talk to them about fighting and training and when it's appropriate to fight and when it isn't.

 

[durangodawood]

It's a sport. They're not actually trying to injure each other.

They absolutely are trying to injure each other.

But yes, I agree its a sport.

 

[Strathos]

I obviously meant seriously injure each other, like kill, cripple, or inflict irreparable damage.

 

[durangodawood]

I obviously meant seriously injure each other, like kill, cripple, or inflict irreparable damage.

Brain trauma counts as that.

 

[Strathos]

Brain trauma counts as that.

They're not aiming to do that. That's an unfortunate accident when it happens.

 

[durangodawood]

They're not aiming to do that. That's an unfortunate accident when it happens.

Yes they are. a KO is a recognized goal.

 

[Strathos]

Yes they are. a KO is a recognized goal.

But not permanent brain damage.