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Can I participate in Kickboxing/MMA as a Christian?

Discussion in 'Sports Forum' started by Zanasp, Nov 1, 2018.

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  1. Zanasp

    Zanasp New Member

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    I'm no athlete but I've dabbled in boxing a little and some kickboxing when I was around 18-19. I've made a few health changes since like stopping smoking (nearly two years ago) and I stopped drinking alcohol. So, as I continue to lose weight/ and get healthy I've decided to commit to sports.

    I do understand the arguments against these sports. The main argument I can appreciate is that they can be damaging to health. Other than that I think they're permitted by The Bible although I haven't read it all. I have looked up related scripture though.

    I suppose I am mainly asking are sports in general permissable and how much time should be put into them? As long as my duties to God aren't neglected is it ok to take part?
     
    #1 Zanasp, Nov 1, 2018
  2. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    We are to Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.[James 1:27] Those sports are as worldly as they get, plus why would a believer in Christ want to punch another person(made in the image of God) in the face, kick him in the gut, leg, etc. just for sport?
     
    #2 SovereignGrace, Nov 2, 2018
  3. Zanasp

    Zanasp New Member

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    Why are they worldly? Sports are to improve and to test yourself, I think they're just sports like any other
     
    #3 Zanasp, Nov 2, 2018
  4. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Yes, you can. Scripture does not prohibit Christians from participating in sports.

    But you may get tired of turning the other cheek....:Biggrin
     
    #4 JonC, Nov 2, 2018
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  5. tyndale1946

    tyndale1946 Well-Known Member
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    Then again it could be a good witnessing tool... Hear ye the word of the Lord... CRACK!... And the Lord said... SMACK!... Works as long as you're doing the cracking and the smacking... Brother Glen:D
     
    #5 tyndale1946, Nov 2, 2018
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  6. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Great, another Chuck Norris!
     
    #6 Yeshua1, Nov 2, 2018
  7. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Both Chuck Norris and George Foreman beg to differ with you!
     
    #7 Yeshua1, Nov 2, 2018
  8. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Just wondering....what about sports like football or hockey?

    I'm a baseball fan, so I haven't a dog in the hunt. Except for occasional outbursts we're like the chess club on steroids....sometimes literally.
     
    #8 JonC, Nov 2, 2018
  9. Marooncat79

    Marooncat79 Well-Known Member
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    No, the object in MMA is to intentionally harm/hurt the other person

    The injury from football is unintentional
     
    #9 Marooncat79, Nov 2, 2018
  10. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    So sports like boxing would be taboo while wrestling (real wrestling) would be fine....as long as it isn't coed.
     
    #10 JonC, Nov 2, 2018
  11. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    Well, I guess I am looking at it as a temptation to worldly things, like scantily clad women. However, football has cheerleaders that aren't too well clothed either.

    Its obvious Paul enjoyed sports and used many euphemisms in his letters. But I don't think kicking, punching, kneeing, twisting limbs, is the sport he saw.

    I will just say that each person is accountable to no one else but God. I will not judge someone as being lost just because they are in the MMA/Kickboxing thing. I just see a lot of the 'world' in that area. But I am speaking solely for myself, as I would not do it.
     
    #11 SovereignGrace, Nov 3, 2018
  12. SovereignGrace

    SovereignGrace Well-Known Member
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    Bill Romanowski disagrees with you, and I am an Oakland(soon to be Las Vegas{maybe Vegas?}) Raiders fan.
     
    #12 SovereignGrace, Nov 3, 2018
  13. Zanasp

    Zanasp New Member

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    Thank you for the response and I understand you. I've actually been watching more amateur competitions than pro before I begin and even there they have half dressed women. It's not good.

    Also many non big promotion fights are at places where there's drinking etc. However there are organisations like the IMMAF (international) and FIGMMA from Italy who do not have women marching around without being dressed properly. Although, these are for slightly higher tier fighters rather than beginners with say 1-5 fights. A grade amateur and semi-pro for example. Amateur boxing as far as I know being an olympic sport does not have these things. So it's a mixed bag. Amateur boxing is for the most part, safe. I also considered Judo which is an olympic sport. I'd consider freestyle wrestling but is not popular in my city whereas boxing/mma is.

    I think these sports, because of greed, worldliness and corruption in mainly boxing but in the big promotions like UFC and Bellator can give people the wrong impression. Glory kickboxing is another example although I do enjoy watching it as it's not as big as Vegas type boxing venues and UFC etc.

    Personally I have no qualms with these sports I think they make you stronger and definitely more humble. Don't be fooled by the big "stars". They don't/won't represent me in any way.

    Lastly theres a big camaraderie in gyms and often between fighters after the fights etc. You'll most times see a shake of hands between the athletes and the coaches.
     
    #13 Zanasp, Nov 3, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2018
  14. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    You have to ask about injuring another?

    "Be harmless as doves . . ." —Jesus.
     
    #14 Aaron, Nov 3, 2018
  15. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    I think both Chuck Norris and George Foreman missed that part!
     
    #15 Yeshua1, Nov 3, 2018
  16. Zanasp

    Zanasp New Member

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    lol there's also Sage Northcutt, Andre Ward, Vitor Belfort, Yoel Romero, Evander Holyfield and many more. If we're counting orthodox there's Fedor Emelianenko and Anatoly Tokov...
     
    #16 Zanasp, Nov 3, 2018
  17. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Don't forget the gals:


    Dawn Maestas, Southern Baptist churchlady who wrestled as 'Godiva' for GLOW:

    baptistboard.com/threads/have-we-finally-hit-peak-attractional.110013/#post-2448854


    Sunday School teacher Michelle Finney fought as 'Dementia' for GLOW:

    Arkansas Online

    "Along with the Dementia character, Finney also wrestled as "Sugar," a masked wrestler whose face was 'burned,' as the storyline went, by a pair of misfits known as Chainsaw and Spike, or collectively as The Heavy Metal Sisters."

    "Finney has long since hung up her wrestling boots for life in Arkansas....She is a volunteer administrator with the Bryant Rotary Club, has served as a Sunday school teacher and sang in the church choir. 'My life revolves around my family,' Finney said....Connor, a wrestling fan himself, likes the idea of his mother being a wrestler. 'I think it's cool my mom was a wrestler. I tell my friends about it, but they think I'm totally lying until I show them picture, then they believe me.'"
     
    #17 Jerome, Nov 3, 2018
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