Boxing and Reggae Music : should i give these up?

[rweidn]

Two of my passions before i recently rediscovered my Christian faith are a love of the fight game and of music, particularly what is is known as roots reggae music.

I do not know of any other Christians who enjoy watching boxing, in fact i believe most to abhor it. However there have been a good few boxers with a firm faith in Christianity or Islam (Ali and George Foreman for example). I have always seen a noble side to boxing and loved the dedication to discipline and training that goes with it. I don’t like the trash talking unless it is done with humour and i pray for neither fighter to get injured.

Roots Reggae music basically exploded in the 70’s, exemplified by Bob Marley. It is a heavily deep and spiritual music. It is highly rebelious but rebelious in the best way in that it denounces everything that represents Babyloan, against God’s will. Problem is that roots music is also connected to Rastafarianism, a religion that proclaims the old Ethiopian Emperor Haille Selassie to have been the second coming of Christ. Selassie’s name is often praised and referred to through much of this music. So i believe it to be a cult and heretical, but can’t deny it carries a strong message and i love the whole vibe of it.

I just wondered if others thought that for the sake of my spiritual health i should give these up?

 

[ZenGreaser]

It all depends. Reggae isn’t inherently bad (nor is any musical style), but the lyrical content is what’s important. If you’re filling your head with unholy ideas then there’s a problem. But the genre itself is fine (I myself am a casual fan of Toots & the Maytals).

Boxing is slightly trickier. I was going to say that it is fine as long as you enjoy the competition aspect & are not satisfying some urge to see people injured, but from what we know now about brain injuries & the fact that knocking one’s opponent out is a goal there may be a reason to walk away from that sport. There is a long tradition of boxing interest & participation among Catholics (especially Irish & Italians), but that doesn’t necessarily make it acceptable. Might want to get someone else’s view on the boxing issue as I am not quite certain.

Having a drink might be no problem for you, but for some it leads to drinking too much. It all depends on the individual. So the main thing to remember is that if it leads you away from virtuous living then you need to walk away from it, whatever it may be.

 

[truetofaith]

Two of my passions before i recently rediscovered my Christian faith are a love of the fight game and of music, particularly what is is known as roots reggae music.

I do not know of any other Christians who enjoy watching boxing, in fact i believe most to abhor it. However there have been a good few boxers with a firm faith in Christianity or Islam (Ali and George Foreman for example). I have always seen a noble side to boxing and loved the dedication to discipline and training that goes with it. I don’t like the trash talking unless it is done with humour and i pray for neither fighter to get injured.

Roots Reggae music basically exploded in the 70’s, exemplified by Bob Marley. It is a heavily deep and spiritual music. It is highly rebelious but rebelious in the best way in that it denounces everything that represents Babyloan, against God’s will. Problem is that roots music is also connected to Rastafarianism, a religion that proclaims the old Ethiopian Emperor Haille Selassie to have been the second coming of Christ. Selassie’s name is often praised and referred to through much of this music. So i believe it to be a cult and heretical, but can’t deny it carries a strong message and i love the whole vibe of it.

I just wondered if others thought that for the sake of my spiritual health i should give these up?

I’m a musician and I play Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.” I always interject in the lyrics…" three little birds by my doorstep ( Father, Son & Holy Ghost). I get a laugh but that’s how I see it, also!

I always liked boxing, ( don’t watch too often, now) but Ali, Frasier, Graziano, Patterson Marciano & other boxers made it more of a sport than a chance to hurt someone. I read Rocky Graziano’s life story & he did want to kill his opponent…but he did get religion & changed.
I always liked to see a boxer make the sign of the cross before the bell. Stalone in “Rocky” did it also.

 

[Oldmetalhead]

“Roots natty roots”

I have always loved regge. The struggle, the devotion, the love. Rasta is rooted is the Old Testament, meaning we have much in common. We should always find what we have in common with others before we focus on what divides us. Remember Jesus and the woman at the well? The only thing they had in common was thirst and Christ turned that into an opportunity for salvation.

Did you know Bob Marley was actually Ethiopian Orthodox and died in a state of grace? Look it up, I think you will be stoked on what you find. Also, something else I recently learned is that Emperor Selasie actually commissioned the construction of an Ethiopian Orthodox church in Jamaica to attempt to dissuade the incorrect assumption that he was Christ. Fascinating to say the least.

I also love combat sports. Discipline, training, focus, meditation, control. It speaks to the warrior in every man. I would agree it is all about intention as stated above.

Thanks for your post as it gave me a chance to reflect and share.

Peace be with you.

 

[Beryllos]

Boxing leads to traumatic brain injury, doesn’t it? If that is not sinful, it is certainly imprudent.

What about the connection between boxing and wagering? Does anyone else have a problem with that? Gambling seems to attract organized crime. For that reason, I myself would not get involved in any “sports” which drive the business of bookmaking.

 

[truetofaith]

Boxing leads to traumatic brain injury, doesn’t it? If that is not sinful, it is certainly imprudent.

What about the connection between boxing and wagering? Does anyone else have a problem with that? Gambling seems to attract organized crime. For that reason, I myself would not get involved in any “sports” which drive the business of bookmaking.

Every sport has people gambling …football, basketball etc. If you just watch it to enjoy the game, it shouldn’t be sinful.

 

[Frankenfurter]

I went to a Catholic college and we had a thriving Boxing club. Some of the priests boxed. There is no fundamental incompatibility with boxing and your faith at all. You don’t need to give this up. In fact, any Christian must be ready to fight and defend himself at least spiritually. Spiritual combat is all around us and fighting is often required. If done as an art, it is a noble and spiritual/physical venture.

 

[adawgj]

Two of my passions before i recently rediscovered my Christian faith are a love of the fight game and of music, particularly what is is known as roots reggae music.

I do not know of any other Christians who enjoy watching boxing, in fact i believe most to abhor it. However there have been a good few boxers with a firm faith in Christianity or Islam (Ali and George Foreman for example). I have always seen a noble side to boxing and loved the dedication to discipline and training that goes with it. I don’t like the trash talking unless it is done with humour and i pray for neither fighter to get injured.

Roots Reggae music basically exploded in the 70’s, exemplified by Bob Marley. It is a heavily deep and spiritual music. It is highly rebelious but rebelious in the best way in that it denounces everything that represents Babyloan, against God’s will. Problem is that roots music is also connected to Rastafarianism, a religion that proclaims the old Ethiopian Emperor Haille Selassie to have been the second coming of Christ. Selassie’s name is often praised and referred to through much of this music. So i believe it to be a cult and heretical, but can’t deny it carries a strong message and i love the whole vibe of it.

I just wondered if others thought that for the sake of my spiritual health i should give these up?

There is no incompatibility with Reggae, boxing, and Christianity.
Bob Marley even became an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian.