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hellopeople
Guest
What do you guys think about MMA? I really enjoy watching it to be honest. What is your opinion on this? Is it a sin to watch and enjoy this sport? Is it just like any other sport? What do you guys think?
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NemoSum
Guest
I think that is a good question.
Personally, I dont think it would be a sin to watch and enjoy MMA. For me its nothing more than glorified boxing and wrestling. Both men freely chose to fight and you are freely choosing to watch it.
Personally, I dont think it would be a sin to watch and enjoy MMA. For me its nothing more than glorified boxing and wrestling. Both men freely chose to fight and you are freely choosing to watch it.
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JW55
Guest
I can’t see how it would be a problem. It is just a sport. i am not sure why it would be any different than football ot basketball. i think that the only way it would be a problem was if it it was taking away from church attendance or your spiritual life.
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Metatron
Guest
I think you can just say “it’s a sport” and so it’s OK - and you’re right. In a way. You’re not hurting anybody by watching it.
But also you could say, by watching pornography, you’re not actually cheating (your potential wife) - and therefore not hurting anybody.
I’m not saying watching porn equals watching UFC - the first is surely worse than the latter. But still, if you ask in your heart why do you enjoy watching it?
If you just enjoyed the competition, skills involved, etc. you could watch another sport. What’s the difference between UFC and cricket? Well, UFC has violence. And it’s not simulated violence (like entertainment wrestling), but real violence. People hurting each other for real, for money.
By watching it, you’re supporting it. I wouldn’t say it’s OK. Why would it be OK?
Ask in your heart with all honesty - why do you enjoy watching sport violence for money? And ask not: is it permitted? am I committing sin? But… does it glorify the Lord, does it edify me?
" All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. " (1 Corinthians 10:23)
P.S.: If you hadn’t felt in your heart that it was wrong, you wouldn’t come here to ask in the first place. Am I not right?
God bless you!
But also you could say, by watching pornography, you’re not actually cheating (your potential wife) - and therefore not hurting anybody.
I’m not saying watching porn equals watching UFC - the first is surely worse than the latter. But still, if you ask in your heart why do you enjoy watching it?
If you just enjoyed the competition, skills involved, etc. you could watch another sport. What’s the difference between UFC and cricket? Well, UFC has violence. And it’s not simulated violence (like entertainment wrestling), but real violence. People hurting each other for real, for money.
By watching it, you’re supporting it. I wouldn’t say it’s OK. Why would it be OK?
Ask in your heart with all honesty - why do you enjoy watching sport violence for money? And ask not: is it permitted? am I committing sin? But… does it glorify the Lord, does it edify me?
" All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. " (1 Corinthians 10:23)
P.S.: If you hadn’t felt in your heart that it was wrong, you wouldn’t come here to ask in the first place. Am I not right?
God bless you!
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Jguerra
Guest
To me, MMA is a regression to the early days of boxing: bare-fisted, before Queensbury rules. What is different is they allow wrestling (you can call it a mix of martial arts). It does not look like it has the discipline and restraint of classic boxing.
As for culpability, let me put it this way. I don’t feel guilty after watching a boxing match.
My two cents.
Joe
As for culpability, let me put it this way. I don’t feel guilty after watching a boxing match.
My two cents.
Joe
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camerong
Guest
Let me give the disclaimer that I personally find the sport disgusting. But, I have long sought from Christian friends who enjoyed the sport a justification for it. My question always boiled down to this–as absurd as the notion is, could one really see Christ watching and enjoying UFC? Yelling, “Yeah, punch him!! Yeah!”? Even more absurd, of course, is the idea of Christ actually participating in the sport.
That may be a dangerous question, of course, as we might not be willing to give up other past times that Christ would have rejected. But few are as clearly wrong as UFC–the participants seek to hurt each other in virtually anyway possible. Importantly, unlike boxing or wrestling, the sport is purposefully crafted to most closely resemble two people actually trying to kill each other. That scenario–and the mimicking of it–brings out the most disgusting and ungodly side on mankind in both the participants and the spectators.
Its difficult to qualify exactly why the UFC is so wrong, which is why I think the general litmus test for Christian behavior–would Christ do it?–is the most useful. And it seems quite clear to me.
That may be a dangerous question, of course, as we might not be willing to give up other past times that Christ would have rejected. But few are as clearly wrong as UFC–the participants seek to hurt each other in virtually anyway possible. Importantly, unlike boxing or wrestling, the sport is purposefully crafted to most closely resemble two people actually trying to kill each other. That scenario–and the mimicking of it–brings out the most disgusting and ungodly side on mankind in both the participants and the spectators.
Its difficult to qualify exactly why the UFC is so wrong, which is why I think the general litmus test for Christian behavior–would Christ do it?–is the most useful. And it seems quite clear to me.
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hellopeople
Guest
A big part of the reason that I watch it is because I have done wrestling, judo, and brazilian jiu jitsu and love watching the skills of these high level fighters. For me, a slick submission that causes no real damage (because it is released before it can cause damage) can be just as exciting as a knock out.
As for Jesus watching mma…probably not. But he might not condemn it either.
As for Jesus watching mma…probably not. But he might not condemn it either.
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Metatron
Guest
The passage from Corinthians 1 I quoted sets Christianity clearly apart from Judaism, I believe — it tells you, if it’s permitted it doesn’t mean it’s useful, good, edifying. So you’re asking the “Judaistic” question : is it against the Law? If it’s not against the letter of the Law, then let’s do it. - But Christianity is more about the Spirit of the Law, not the Letter of the Law. - So my opinion is, that you should ask not if it’s “against” the letter of the Bible, if it’s forbidden, but if it’s IN the Spirit of Christianity. “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Cor. 3:6) … The spirit giveth life, not the letter. - - - But even if you keep watching it if you believe in the Lord it will be forgiven and it doesn’t condemn you. You are a good person to have even asked yourself if it’s OK or not, almost nobody does that! So that’s a great step! - Perhaps if you enjoy the skills in it, because you practiced Martial Arts yourself, you could enjoy watching it in Chinese movies instead? That is - in ART? Wouldn’t that be better? Since in Chinese movies there’s usually some gong fu master fighting for a righteous cause? - But Chinese/Japanese Martial Arts were made for Chinese farmers so they could protect themselves from invaders without violating their Buddhist principles of non-violence… And furthermore… wouldn’t it be EVEN better to observe someone that fought for all Mankind - without using violence, ever, at all?
“I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I, founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of people would die for Him.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
“I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I, founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of people would die for Him.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
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Jonatello
Guest
We have this awful was of assuming sport is separate from real life. Anything can be a sport. Status as a sport doesn’t alleviate sinfulness. If so, why not make a sport out of consensual sex, maybe throw in some judges and scorecards, highlight the skill involved, so people who seek an outlet can do so within the “safe confines of the sport”, and spectators can watch if it pleases them. They can admire the technique.
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Jonatello
Guest
I doubt it.
The latter celebrates the attempt to injure someone, the former does not.
The evil attached to latter (intentionally harming someone) is far more intrinsic to the human moral compass than the former, which requires an understanding of specific religious theory/dogma/teaching.
I’m pretty sure that if a child were to grow up “pure and ignorant”, filled with love, removed from things that would poison the conscience, yet also removed from a sound understanding of religion, they would have a far worse moral response to seeing 2 people try to knock each other out for sport in front of cheering spectators than they would seeing 2 unmarried people engage in naked affection for pleasure.
You would have to teach a pure child the problem with sexual sin, you don’t have to teach the problem with violence.
Understand: i AM NOT IN ANY WAY advocating pornography. i believe it is wrong and it exploits everyone involved, from participants to audience to people who financially benefit to innocent bystanders.
but so does fighting sport.
and it really makes my stomach turn and my soul well up to see the body’s status as a “temple” magically appear in people’s hearts only when it comes to sex, and disappear again when it comes to fighting and donuts.
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Yorkshireman
Guest
I don’t think Jesus would have been any good at cage fighting - all that turning of the cheek.
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Metalhead_Harry
Guest
I love the UFC dude. Best congregation of fighting styles ever assembled. It’s a legitimate sport except for the fact many are opposed to cage fighting. Now, many things that you would see in WWE like chairs to the face are not shpwn in the UFC so ir’s 1 v 1 in a fight. Nothing wrong with that; also that IT’S SANCTIONED
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surfinpure
Guest
This thread is over four months old and quite stale.
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purple_pixie
Guest
I love MMA and boxing and I do a lot of taekwondo at competition level. I am pregnant now and still do taekwondo, without the contact obviously. I am by no means a model Catholic but personally I don’t feel it is a sin. Yes I go out into a full contact match wanting to win and try my very best to kick my opponant in the head…but they are adults and trying to do the same back. It’s a sport. After it’s over, we shake hands, bow and walk off. There is a lot of respect there.
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FightingFat
Guest
Have you ever seen Pride? It’s like UFC without the hype. I have trained Martial Arts for many years and when I watch MMA I am interested in the techniques, whether stand-up wins over ground-work, whether Judo holds and throws are more effective than BJJ or wrestling. It is so skilful and such hard work, it amazes me how fit these athletes are as well.
I totally see where you are coming from though, I really dislike the glorification of violence, which no doubt is an element to MMA tournaments and is promoted by organisations like the UFC, which is a real shame.
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benidict
Guest
Everyone in the U.S, Military is taught this fighting style. so when I watch it, it is more from a technical standpoint. especially when it comes to the ground fighting. alot more is going on than most people realize. This sport, is actually much more safe than boxing, Less blows are thrown, and most fights end in a submission hold. The fighters are in excellent condition. And are incredible athletes in my opinon. Enjoy.
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benidict
Guest
comparing this to pornography, is just rediculous. Get a grip.
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benidict
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Para_Lirelou
Guest
Just to make some things clear.
For centuries during the Middle Ages, Catholic monks were known to have practice martial arts.This link shows good info about martial arts practiced by Christian priests and monks.
themmazone.net/Martial-Arts-WP/2008/12/06/european-martial-arts-part-2/
All martial arts is is a system of self defense and method of maintaining physica fitness. For centuries during the violent Middle Ages, martial arts were essential for survival that everybody including Christian monks attempted to learn methods of fighting to defend themselves from the dangers of the age. Crusader orders such as the Knights Templers developed their own styles of swordsmanships that blended Christian philosophy and beliefs with their methods of fighting.
So no MMA would not be sinful. If anything there are passages in the Bible that states that fighting is sometimes the only solution and there are indeed passages in the Old Testament implying individuals to be masters of martial arts and unarmed combat.
Even the Catholic Church required their devout Knights and Soldiers to be proficient in Swordsmanship and unarmed combat.
For centuries during the Middle Ages, Catholic monks were known to have practice martial arts.This link shows good info about martial arts practiced by Christian priests and monks.
themmazone.net/Martial-Arts-WP/2008/12/06/european-martial-arts-part-2/
All martial arts is is a system of self defense and method of maintaining physica fitness. For centuries during the violent Middle Ages, martial arts were essential for survival that everybody including Christian monks attempted to learn methods of fighting to defend themselves from the dangers of the age. Crusader orders such as the Knights Templers developed their own styles of swordsmanships that blended Christian philosophy and beliefs with their methods of fighting.
So no MMA would not be sinful. If anything there are passages in the Bible that states that fighting is sometimes the only solution and there are indeed passages in the Old Testament implying individuals to be masters of martial arts and unarmed combat.
Even the Catholic Church required their devout Knights and Soldiers to be proficient in Swordsmanship and unarmed combat.
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Para_Lirelou
Guest
Acually in Pre Queensbury Boxing particularly in London Prize Rules, wrestling style techniques were frequenlt used. Classica Boxing especially the Greek Boxing was very different from modern boxing-it was much bloodier and there was less restraint in what is allowed(especially in Greek boxing Pankration which consisted of fistblows with kicks and wrestling pins and throws).
And just because they are allowed are allowed to use more techniques in MMA doesn’t mean they lack the discipline and restraint of modern boxing-they have to be extremely careful in avoiding illegal blows more than boxers do(considering the use of kicks and throws could enable more accidental hitting of illegal parts such as the groin and use of illegal techniques) and MMA fighters need discipline for the insane amount of training they do for hours!
Also believe it or not, boxers generally end up with worse permanent injuries than MMA fighters do upon retirement.
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