Religion And Boxing. Do They Mix?

I am a Christian. Can't say I am devout, I honestly do try to be though. I love God with my whole heart and do TRY and follow what the Bible teaches. I am not ashamed of this and never will be. However, one of my passions is boxing. I train, go into a ring in the attempt to send another man to his destruction.

I believe that what I am doing is not wrong in the eyes of God. It's a sport and as long as my motives are for a smooth easy victory then it's alright. If I went into the ring with the hope to hurt the other guy as much as possible, then I believe God would be angered by my motives.

I respect all peoples beliefs. Islam through to Christianity. So I want to hear other peoples opinions on the topic.

Do you believe a 'Godly' person can still do boxing?
Or do you believe it contradicts what God would want?

Cheers

Religion itself is apart of everything. Soldiers at war, who are actually killing people, rely on religion to protect them and assure themselves that they are doing right by God.

People rely on religion to help protect themselves in the ring. Because honestly, when you believe you have God on your side, you feel a little better.

They don't mix and they don't not mix, it's just on a fighter to fighter basis on whether or not they mix or not.

I hate seeing a very religious boxer. Its cool if you do thats tuff in your private life but i dont wanna hear you reciting this and that in press conferences and after fights.

I don't believe in any form of religion mate so my advice could well be shit ;)

Trying to look at it from your point of view....
I cannot see how it would make you any less of a person in the eyes of god if you should box, your a fighter who happens to be religious (Evander Holyfield was the same) thats all it is. Dont worry too much about it mate.

I believe that God respects the individual not the sport. If your intent is to win fairly and humbly then all is well with Him. Boxing is a violent sport but so is football and rugby. Would you pose the same question regarding those sports?

You are not boxing out of anger or hate, correct? Do not let pride take over your soul and understand that there is no shame in losing to another boxer. Do not wish your opponent harm and understand that God loves him just as much as He loves you.

Outside the ring their is no reason to harm another man with your fists. Keep that in mind as well...

The real answer is to pray on it for yourself. You have a direct line to God ask him for yourself, and wait patiently for His answer. It will come at exactly the right time.

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Originally Posted by Kel

I don't believe in any form of religion mate so my advice could well be shit ;)

Trying to look at it from your point of view....
I cannot see how it would make you any less of a person in the eyes of god if you should box, your a fighter who happens to be religious (Evander Holyfield was the same) thats all it is. Dont worry too much about it mate.

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Yes i'm sure god approves of evander having children to several different women as well ::**

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Originally Posted by Punisher136

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Originally Posted by Kel

I don't believe in any form of religion mate so my advice could well be shit ;)

Trying to look at it from your point of view....
I cannot see how it would make you any less of a person in the eyes of god if you should box, your a fighter who happens to be religious (Evander Holyfield was the same) thats all it is. Dont worry too much about it mate.

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Yes i'm sure god approves of evander having children to several different women as well ::**

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Just said he was religious, I never knew he had kids.

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Originally Posted by BoxingGorilla

I believe that God respects the individual not the sport. If your intent is to win fairly and humbly then all is well with Him. Boxing is a violent sport but so is football and rugby. Would you pose the same question regarding those sports?

You are not boxing out of anger or hate, correct? Do not let pride take over your soul and understand that there is no shame in losing to another boxer. Do not wish your opponent harm and understand that God loves him just as much as He loves you.

Outside the ring their is no reason to harm another man with your fists. Keep that in mind as well...

The real answer is to pray on it for yourself. You have a direct line to God ask him for yourself, and wait patiently for His answer. It will come at exactly the right time.

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Wise words there mate. Greatly respect your honesty. I would give you one of those 'CC' things but I STILL CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT YET! Lol...

Heard something bout a Good and Sad under peoples name's or sumthing. But I can't see them under anyone's name. Help us out on this and I'll throw u a CC.

Cheers

I also want to add that God put desires in us for a reason.  It's how you put these desires into play that makes the difference between being right and being wrong in His eyes.

You need one hundred posts before you can do the clicking.

Like Evander says Boxing is 90% spiritual and 10% physical

When its crunch time and you feel like quitting remember this verse “Phil. 4:13,” “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”.. The power of the Lord is a great source of energy make no mistake.

It depends...

I'm not religious at all...but that aside I'll give examples of where it does and doesn't mix.

1. Evander Holyfield...he believes God has got him to where he wants to be and he draws strength from above to win. This to me is an example of someone drawing on something to believe in to make him better so here...it works.

2. Naz...Before, it was never really a problem but if you noticed before the Barrera fight he was saying that "Mohammed is the only God". While I have no problem in someone having their own beliefs, I don't think it's right to force them on somebody else. Plus he received a mass amount of boos, which suggests nobody was interested. I also believe Naz was fairly insecure, and wanted the fans to love him. After his whole Islam entrance, the crowd was pro Barrera and for me, it greatly affected his performance.

(I should point out here that Naz is possibly my favourite fighter of all time)

What bothers me is when a fighter says "God wanted me to win" as if He wanted the other guy to lose. Maybe God did or maybe God didn't, maybe God just made sure you were both kept safe.

If it were me I would thank God for allowing me to box and leave it at that.

many man are influences by their beliefs to reach higher abilities, and they thank god for that. It is like a mans inner peace or mind set that they have deciplen and individual relationship with god.

this can boost your confident, keep you focus, train day in and day out harder and harder.

its just a mind set, but a strong belief only a few men can achieve.

well, If u are faithful to the religion take comfort knowing that god gave man the power of free will. If you are in a ring, so is your opponent. He is trying to do to you, what you are trying to do to him. Its not like he is running away screaming for his life. However if he does, then beat him senseless. LoL! jk,

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Originally Posted by BoxingGorilla

What bothers me is when a fighter says "God wanted me to win" as if He wanted the other guy to lose. Maybe God did or maybe God didn't, maybe God just made sure you were both kept safe.

If it were me I would thank God for allowing me to box and leave it at that.

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cc . this i say

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Originally Posted by LUCKY_13

I am a Christian. Can't say I am devout, I honestly do try to be though. I love God with my whole heart and do TRY and follow what the Bible teaches. I am not ashamed of this and never will be. However, one of my passions is boxing. I train, go into a ring in the attempt to send another man to his destruction.

I believe that what I am doing is not wrong in the eyes of God. It's a sport and as long as my motives are for a smooth easy victory then it's alright. If I went into the ring with the hope to hurt the other guy as much as possible, then I believe God would be angered by my motives.

I respect all peoples beliefs. Islam through to Christianity. So I want to hear other peoples opinions on the topic.

Do you believe a 'Godly' person can still do boxing?
Or do you believe it contradicts what God would want?

Cheers

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As boxinggorrilla said it's fine to have as a personal belief but I think it's misguided to think that God has favourites in boxing and prefers one fighter over another.

In fact I think the very idea that God even cares at all whether you win a boxing fight or not is just absurd.

Surely God is interested in the grand scale of things, saving souls, healing the sick, preaching the gospel, preparing the way for the coming of Jesus in judgement.

Given the fact he's obviously clearly very busy I don't think praying to him for you to be able to beat another fighter is a very noble thing to do.

You will get out of boxing what you are prepared to put into it. Train hard, improve your skills and dedicate yourself to the sport and you will probably do well, providing you have the talent.

If not any amount of praying for victory will avail you nothing. After all, who would want to win a fight because God Almighty had to help you win? Much more satisfying to be able to say you did it on your own.

I actually don't care what anyone says after a fight...if some guy wants to give a sermon fine..if a guy wants to give a ton of shout out's fine...it's thier moment to use in whatever way they want...i respect that. As far as religion and the sport to an individual...it's just that a sport you can be a devout christain,muslim whatever and be the best at what you do...it's not illegal everyone knows what they are in for and hell christian or not there is a lot worse a person could be choosing to do with thier life....

Mike Tyson was a very religious fighter.
"I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah."

Giving the other cheek after being struck may prove difficult for a boxer to practice. Now which religion practiced "an eye for an eye"? hehe :P

I think like any real boxing lover, god does not hate the boxers or the sport, but rather the nut-hugging fans that proclaim their fighter to be the best.

Over here in Holland we have a fighter named Ray Joval.
He is a good boxer and a christian as well
He fights fot the Lord(he says). Also, he is always giving back to the community with special projects for teens to give them a good start in life. We praise him for it.

It worked for Naz

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Originally Posted by TYSONBRUNO

It worked for Naz

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I didn't know Muslims drink. ::**

Naz is a Borracho ;D

Why not.

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Originally Posted by southakron314

Why not.

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Coz they're muslims. They're not suppose to drink alcohol and get drunk. :cwm3:

Look man this is how i have come to see it. In the bible (in Genesis) it says that we are created after the image of Yahweh (God). What does that mean? we have the same attributes of our Father, meaning you can and will create all good bad or ugly things that happen in your life. So if you choose to box, then box. That's what i do. There is no blackboard in the sky saying "THUS SAYETH GOD...YOU HAVE TO DO THIS" You are master over your own actions and choices (freewill). And if you want to show appreciation to your creator, do your passion and give him the Glory. That's what the Gospel is all about, doing your passion and being thankful for everyday you see. AMEN LOL

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Originally Posted by Ice Man

Look man this is how i have come to see it. In the bible (in Genesis) it says that we are created after the image of Yahweh (God). What does that mean? we have the same attributes of our Father, meaning you can and will create all good bad or ugly things that happen in your life. So if you choose to box, then box. That's what i do. There is no blackboard in the sky saying "THUS SAYETH GOD...YOU HAVE TO DO THIS" You are master over your own actions and choices (freewill). And if you want to show appreciation to your creator, do your passion and give him the Glory. That's what the Gospel is all about, doing your passion and being thankful for everyday you see. AMEN LOL

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Amen to that brothah.

Religion is a good thing for Boxers, if everything goes tits up theres always someone else to blame, Amen.

:laugh:

I don't believe in any religions but i believe in people and myself. I have never viewed my fights as hurting someone and I dont feel hurt wether I win or lose. But I see a lot of good when I teach children the martial arts I feel it makes them better human beings that will do great things with there lives. I don't have any worries about weather god will accept that or not I think Im on the good side of things most of the time. :)

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Originally Posted by tkdboy

I don't believe in any religions but i believe in people and myself. I have never viewed my fights as hurting someone and I dont feel hurt wether I win or lose. But I see a lot of good when I teach children the martial arts I feel it makes them better human beings that will do great things with there lives. I don't have any worries about weather god will accept that or not I think Im on the good side of things most of the time. :)

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You still don't have Jesus in your heart?

Uh-oh! You could burn in hell and live eternal damnation :flame:

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Originally Posted by Punisher136

I hate seeing a very religious boxer. Its cool if you do thats tuff in your private life but i dont wanna hear you reciting this and that in press conferences and after fights.

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Yea boxing is sport i couldnt give a toss about wot a guy believes , as i am a none beliver

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

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Originally Posted by Punisher136

I hate seeing a very religious boxer. Its cool if you do thats tuff in your private life but i dont wanna hear you reciting this and that in press conferences and after fights.

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Yea boxing is sport i couldnt give a toss about wot a guy believes , as i am a none beliver

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Don't get me wrong, Before or after fights in his locker rooms or in his gym he can do what he wants but i just can't stand it when he brings it up during press conferences and post fight interveiws.

Maybe boxing and religion are the same things, really............

Take Christianity:

- you can take someone out with a right 'cross'
- you can 'rise again' by getting up before 10
- you have people in 'judgement' over your efforts
- the media will 'crucify' you at every opportunity
- listening to some fighters at press conferences reminds you the 'cock crows three times'
- fighters bandage their 'psalms'
- promoters lead fighters into 'damnation'
- instead of the local church, fighters pay sanctioning fees to alphabet boys for no good reason

Islam:

- you give 'alms' by using them to hit your opponent
- fans make a 'pilgrimage' to places like Madison Square Garden
- most fighters don't wait for death to deflower 1000 virgins, they fuck everything that moves right now
- you should not drink while training or eat unclean meat

Buddhism:

- reincarnation ...... look at all those 'comebacks' we get to see.
;D

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Originally Posted by X

Maybe boxing and religion are the same things, really............

Take Christianity:

- you can take someone out with a right 'cross'
- you can 'rise again' by getting up before 10
- you have people in 'judgement' over your efforts
- the media will 'crucify' you at every opportunity
- listening to some fighters at press conferences reminds you the 'cock crows three times'
- fighters bandage their 'psalms'
- promoters lead fighters into 'damnation'
- instead of the local church, fighters pay sanctioning fees to alphabet boys for no good reason

Islam:

- you give 'alms' by using them to hit your opponent
- fans make a 'pilgrimage' to places like Madison Square Garden
- most fighters don't wait for death to deflower 1000 virgins, they F*** everything that moves right now
- you should not drink while training or eat unclean meat

Buddhism:

- reincarnation ...... look at all those 'comebacks' we get to see.
;D

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Nice one bro :) I'd cc you if I could hahhaha

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Originally Posted by X

Maybe boxing and religion are the same things, really............

Take Christianity:

- you can take someone out with a right 'cross'
- you can 'rise again' by getting up before 10
- you have people in 'judgement' over your efforts
- the media will 'crucify' you at every opportunity
- listening to some fighters at press conferences reminds you the 'cock crows three times'
- fighters bandage their 'psalms'
- promoters lead fighters into 'damnation'
- instead of the local church, fighters pay sanctioning fees to alphabet boys for no good reason

Islam:

- you give 'alms' by using them to hit your opponent
- fans make a 'pilgrimage' to places like Madison Square Garden
- most fighters don't wait for death to deflower 1000 virgins, they F*** everything that moves right now
- you should not drink while training or eat unclean meat

Buddhism:

- reincarnation ...... look at all those 'comebacks' we get to see.
;D

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That was a hilarious post ;D CC to you.