The History of Boxing and Christianity
Since the dawn of time, mankind has engaged in combat with fists, sticks and stone weapons in order to protect or attack. This of course, has also extended to boxing or “the sweet science” as it is often referred to as. Boxing has been around since ancient Greece and it can be found in ancient cultures around the world, including India, Japan, China and even Africa. The Christian faith is no stranger to combat either, as the early Church Fathers often referenced the importance of defensive warfare.
Dr Robert Jones, lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, states “The Bible is full of references to warfare and the use of violence, and the christian tradition is no stranger to combat. The key issue when it comes to boxing is that it can only realistically be engaged in between two willing participants, so its morality is much more definitive in comparison to warfare which can be seen as more of a ‘necessary evil’ on some level.”
Therefore, one could say that boxing is not only a legitimate activity for Christians to be engaging in, but it is also one which is more ethical and honourable than some forms of combat. This view is echoed by prominent Christian outreach group Deliverance Sports, who runs programmes such as “Boxing for Jesus” and has taught thousands of young men and women the discipline and skill of boxing, as well as famously encouraging former world boxing champion Michael Gerard Tyson to renew his faith.
The organisation, which has a page dedicated to the subject of boxing and Christianity, firmly states that the bible “does not forbid boxing, but rather encourages zeal and a determined spirit, traits which are integral to the sport and training of boxing.” Their views are based on the biblical notion that the main purpose of a struggle or a fight is to overcome opposition and ultimately prepare you for the spiritual battle which awaits us all.
The “Boxing for Jesus” group goes further to argue that boxing can be accessible to any able-bodied Christian, regardless of whether they are in a professional setting or not and that with diligent training and focus, one can gain many positive results; such as self-discipline, physical fitness, control and respect for others
Boxing and the Church
Despite the prevalence of combat in the scriptures and the many positive aspects of boxing, many Christian denominations still shun the sport; seeing it as a glorification of violence. The highest concentration of Christians who specifically oppose boxing come from the Catholic Church and a variety of Baptists’ denominations.
These groups argue that while martial arts, self-defense and sparring contests may have some religious or moral purpose behind them, boxing is something altogether different. Father James Gallagher, a priest from the Diocese of New York says, “The Church has always been opposed to boxing because the objective is to injure or defeat an opponent. There is no moral or honorable reason behind the combat, and we cannot condone or accept anything that may lead to physical or spiritual harm.”
However, it must be noted that with the growing number of boxing clubs, leagues and organisations springing up across the country, the number of Christian boxers is also increasing.
The USA Boxing Association, which is sanctioned by the United States Olympic Committee, grants full membership to Christian boxers, so long as they adhere to the organisation’s code of conduct and its ethical standards. The Christian boxers have also organised their own events such as the National Christian Boxing Championships, which is held annually in Las Vegas.
Should Christians Participate in Boxing?
Whether Christians should participate in boxing is a highly contested issue. It is important to note that many Christian denominations believe that boxing is wrong and should not be engaged in, but it must be said that the vast majority of denominations now accept it within their ranks.
The Catholic Church in particular has softened its stance on boxing and it appears now that they accept it as harmless physical exercise and a form of recreation. This is even more evident when considering organisations such as the Catholic Lay ring which was formed in the United Kingdom to promote Catholic boxing in the country.
Eliza Jones, a boxing coach in North Carolina and a Christian herself, argues strongly that “boxing is a perfectly safe sport, despite what many people might think. It’s important to remember that the participants wear protective headgear, gloves and mouthguards and that the medical staff is always present at the contests.”
This goes to show that while many are still quick to dismiss boxing as barbaric and un-Christian, there can be a powerful spiritual experience in engaging in the sport, just like any other physical activity. Also, it is important to note that opponents in the ring must adhere to the same rules and regulations, meaning that it is held in a fair and just contest.
What does the Bible Say about Boxing?
When regarding Christianity and boxing, the same answer always comes up: the Bible does not specifically address the issue. Instead, it speaks more generally about following rules and respecting opponents. For example, Proverbs 21:19 states, “Better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.” Meaning that it is better to keep the peace rather than engage in quarrelsome behaviour.
Therefore, when contemplating the morality of boxing and Christianity, one must look at the whole of scripture. Philippians 4 states, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Meaning that if one feels they gain an honorable experience from boxing then they should pursue it.
The Bible also speaks about regard for one’s opponent, as found in Leviticus 19:18 where it states, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Meaning that one should be respectful and uphold the same rights for their opponent as for themselves. This applies especially to boxing and other combat sports.
The World of Professional Boxing
In the world of professional boxing, it is more often than not more about the money and the fame than it is about honour and respect. As there are no clear laws governing the sport, it is often left to the discretion of the organizations and promoters who control the industry. These individuals often use their influence to create a fight atmosphere that is heavily biased in favour of one fighter or a certain style.
Due to this, it is not uncommon to see episodes of extreme cheating, illegal blows or dangerous tactics being used. This lack of respect for the opponent, while clearly opposed to the spirit of Christianity, is unfortunately something that has to be accepted within professional boxing.
Many have argued that boxing could be safer and fairer if it was a regulated sport with clear consequences for wrongdoing. This could be a positive step for those who claim boxing to be immoral, however its implementation would be tricky for a variety of reasons.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one can see that there is much debate surrounding the morality of boxing and Christianity. While some denominations oppose the sport, others believe it to be a legitimate activity for Christians. What is clear is that the Bible does not provide an answer to the question of whether Christians should engage in boxing.
The issue should be left for individual’s to decide for themselves, and it should be approached with respect and caution. Boxing is a dangerous sport, but with appropriate safety gear and training it can be a beneficial physical exercise. Lastly, it is important to never forget the importance of respect, both for one’s opponent and the rules governing the sport when engaging in any type of combat sport.
