The Narrow Path Ministries

Post by **_PAULESPINO** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:54 pm

What do you guys think about Ultimate Fighting Championship ( UFC).
I watched them all the time actually there are few fighters in that league who profess to be a christian and they have a tattoo on their body with the name of Jesus Christ. Rich Franklin and Matt Hughs who are the stars in this league have shown in the reality TV of UFC that they read the bible.

Post by **_TK** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:21 pm

i have only caught glimpses of it, and i am no expert, but if that is the show where the guys beat and kick each other to a bloody pulp then i would have to question how what they are doing brings glory to God. of course, to some extent, the same could be said for other sports with elements of violence. in other words, UFC doesnt "look" very christian.

TK

Post by **_JC** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:29 pm

The UFC is one of the most un-Christian organizations I've ever seen. The sport itself (called mixed martial arts) is handled differently in other cultures though and shouldn't be vilified. The Pride organization in Japan showcases the same sport, but much more respect is shown... primarily due to Japanese culture. I've taught and competed in Jiu-Jitsu (the main art displayed in this sport) and found it to be quite humbling. You can't fake your skills in Jiu-Jitsu and walk around like a big shot, because you spar with everyone in the class every day. Of course, those who develop serious skill tend to get a big head, but much less so than I've seen in other martial arts. Those who are arrogant are usually very skilled, which isn't a very good combination.

I still train when I can and make a special effort to shine the light of Christ in word and deed. If I'm sparring with a new guy I'll take it easy, then ramp it up with more expereinced opponents. Some of my classmates enjoy beating up on the new guys, but this is a poor use of one's skill. Most of them aren't Christians though but follow a more new age/Buddhist philosophy.

Post by **_PAULESPINO** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:17 pm

Thanks guys for your reply. I will have to discipline my self to stop watching that show.

Post by **_TK** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:33 pm

a while ago i listened to a sermon by Art Katz entitled "julius caesar vs. jesus christ- a study of two deaths" its available at sermonindex.net. anyways, near the beginning he talks about how he used to be a huge boxing fan-- until he saw a bout live in ring side seats. he said the sounds of the gloves hitting- the grunting- the blood flying etc. permanently turned him off to boxing.

i am not judging boxing per se because i am not quite willing to state that american football, for e.g. is wrong per se, even though it is quite violent. i played football for a while but my goal was never to hurt anybody. sure, you have to be willing to hit and be hit, but that is part of the game.

with UFC though, it sure looks like the guys are trying to hurt each other.

TK

Post by **_PAULESPINO** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:38 pm

Thanks for sharing that TK and JC.

Post by **_brody_in_ga** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:23 pm

I must say that I disagree with all of the above. Heres why:

UFC is a sport. Just like football, baseball, basketball, ETC.. Sure, people get hurt, but the same thing happens in every sport. Football is an aggresive sport, just like kickboxing, karate, ETC.. The UFC is no diff. In fact, there are many born-again Christians in the UFC. Matt Hughes, and a few others come to mind. The only questionable aspect of the show is the women who wear two piece bathing suits to make certain announcments. But again, if that bothers you, you better not go to the beach or supermarket(these days).

Post by **_JC** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:39 am

Hey Brody, I've trained with several of those fighters (Jeff Monson and a few others) and while many of them are good men, a great deal of them really enjoy hurting people and are in the business to get girls and money. Granted, this could be said of any sport (maybe not Crickett) but I said above that I don't comdemn the sport of mixed martial arts, just this particular organization. The Japanese events like Pride and Rings are much better promotions, in my opinion.

Post by **_brody_in_ga** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:01 am

JC wrote:Hey Brody, I've trained with several of those fighters (Jeff Monson and a few others) and while many of them are good men, a great deal of them really enjoy hurting people and are in the business to get girls and money. Granted, this could be said of any sport (maybe not Crickett) but I said above that I don't comdemn the sport of mixed martial arts, just this particular organization. The Japanese events like Pride and Rings are much better promotions, in my opinion.

I like physical sports such as boxing, wrestling, UFC, ETC.. I have never had much use for baseball, football, hockey, tennis, ETC.. I dont like to see anyone hurt. But with any sport, that is a huge possibility. And I believe you are right about most of the UFC guys. But there are a few Christians who fight there too. I am not saying that the UFC is a "mainly Christian" org, it isn't. But I do enjoy watching it.

So you have met Jeff Monson? What was that like?

Post by **_brody_in_ga** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:07 am

Does anyone here remember when Gene Cook issued a challenge to Reggie Finley AKA "The infidel guy" for a match UFC style? Reggie never agreed. For good reason though, Gene is a big guy. I think Gene was gonna call it "Atheist versus Christian".

I now have my own challenge to Gene.

Arminian versus Calvinist

Me and Gene in the Octagon for 3 full rounds, UFC rules and all. In the words of Ivan Drago(The Russian from Rocky 4), "Gene will lose"