My wife and I recently watched the movie, Pompei. A violent
reenactment, but beneficially purposeful.
The Film’s story and purpose reminded me of a once ancient, terrible
reality: the horrifying man-on-man violence, where contenders beat each other
senseless, and then finished off the loser with a death strike, all in the name
of entertainment for a violence-loving crowd; apparently, a very bored crowd. A crowd so desperate for excitement in their lives that they reached the point of turning to animalistic entertainment, where human life hung in the balance. A midst the audience, men and women could be
seen indulging in the unspeakable gore while simultaneously popping grapes into
their mouths, with their sandal-strapped legs kicked up, reclining casually. Others viewed the battle while standing up,
yelling, and cheering for their favorite fighter, with a passionate support.
While watching the aforementioned movie, my troubled thoughts questioned: Why were people so evil, back then? How was it possible that a society could ever
evolve into such a morally desensitized group, being capable of casually
watching immoral brutality, as if they were watching a Shakespearean play at
the theater?!
But then, it dawned on me, that today’s culture is not far
off from Roman times. I know, a
depressing thought. However, my intent
is not to be discouraging, but rather inspire a meaningful assessment of
what we currently support, and to encourage change or simply a more proactive
stance, if needed.
Anciently, they had the Roman Arena. Today, we have the MMA Cage. Below are some similarities and differences between the two:
Similarities
*Roman Gladiators ruthlessly beat each other to a pulp. MMA Fighters also beat one another in a ruthless way. It’s not an act. Not a theatrical performance or cinematic show purposed to illustrate a good versus evil struggle or to teach some historical lesson. No. The violence of MMA events is very real. The blood splashing into the air, from one Fighter hammering his fist and elbow into the head of his straddled opponent is real blood; not a movie effect or graphic.
*Why did the Roman Gladiators fight each other? For what purpose? To entertain. Why do MMA Fighters fight each other? To entertain.
Differences
*Where MMA Fighters will stop the fight once their opponent has had enough (i.e. tapped out or knocked out), the Gladiators would finish the fight in the most definitive way: death.
*MMA Fighters use their bodies as weaponry, whereas Gladiators used forged weapons like spears and swords, in addition to their bodies.
*No rules, and therefore no referees in Roman Arenas.
*Where MMA Fighters will stop the fight once their opponent has had enough (i.e. tapped out or knocked out), the Gladiators would finish the fight in the most definitive way: death.
*MMA Fighters use their bodies as weaponry, whereas Gladiators used forged weapons like spears and swords, in addition to their bodies.
*No rules, and therefore no referees in Roman Arenas.
The Terrible Equalizer
Given these differences, Gladiator battles were, hands down, more barbaric and violent. More evil. Yes, we still have a couple levels to plummet before we are as bad as the extremist Romans. But, do we have to be as bad as the Romans (i.e. the very worst), before we are concerned? Before we change?
Moreover, there exists a terrifying equalizer between the two time periods that perhaps you've never thought about:
The Gladiators of old where slaves, forced into violence, whereas MMA fighters of today pursue the life of ‘man-maiming’ out of their own free will and choice! They are not slaves to the cage, but free agents. Indeed, from a pool of endless career options, cage fighters choose the path of violence. But they are not soldiers of the U.S. Army who, out of necessity, utilize violence for the purpose of defending innocent lives and freedom. They are not a husband or father fighting off a home invader to protect his family. No, no. MMA fighters fight for no moral cause, and I believe that without a justified moral cause, violence is wrong. Therefore, this industry is damaging our society and world on a devastating level, as it encourages moral-less violence.
Hard Look
Given these differences, Gladiator battles were, hands down, more barbaric and violent. More evil. Yes, we still have a couple levels to plummet before we are as bad as the extremist Romans. But, do we have to be as bad as the Romans (i.e. the very worst), before we are concerned? Before we change?
Moreover, there exists a terrifying equalizer between the two time periods that perhaps you've never thought about:
The Gladiators of old where slaves, forced into violence, whereas MMA fighters of today pursue the life of ‘man-maiming’ out of their own free will and choice! They are not slaves to the cage, but free agents. Indeed, from a pool of endless career options, cage fighters choose the path of violence. But they are not soldiers of the U.S. Army who, out of necessity, utilize violence for the purpose of defending innocent lives and freedom. They are not a husband or father fighting off a home invader to protect his family. No, no. MMA fighters fight for no moral cause, and I believe that without a justified moral cause, violence is wrong. Therefore, this industry is damaging our society and world on a devastating level, as it encourages moral-less violence.
Hard Look
Now, let’s take a hard look at ourselves. The only reason MMA fighters have a job is
because we as a society create the demand. As if the extreme violence of many inappropriate movies wasn't enough, we now seem to need the adrenaline rush of
real, live battles for the sake of being amused. Entertained. Since when did fishing, hiking, or REAL
sports and games lose their fun? Their
therapeutic purpose? Since when did
serving, loving, and lifting up others around us become so boring, that we’d
rather cheer on and praise violent behavior, with our spare time? And ultimately, when did spending quality
time with family and friends translate into viewing the worst physical
demonstration of blind hatred one to another (i.e. physical beating)?
My First Cage Fight Experience
I remember the first cage fight I ever watched. I was invited to a stranger’s home via a
mutual friend. At the time, I didn't know what MMA was, but was interested to find out. The host paid good money to order the big showdown match up; the fight of the year.
The television room was filled with about twenty guys and several
girls. I stood against a wall at the
back of the room, and observed the scene.
Some people were casually sitting in love sacks with their feet
comfortably kicked up while sipping down soda and munching on potato chips. A couple guys had their arms wrapped around
their significant others, cuddling like they were watching a romance film. Others were laughing hysterically when
fighters took intense blows to the head or knee jabs to the groin. A few watched the fight standing up, yelling
and screaming at the TV, cheering on their favorite fighter. I stood quietly, dazed in a moment of shock
and sadness. I've since compared this
experience to the scene portrayed in the movie, Pompeii, and, in terms of differences between the two crowds, I
don’t see a ton of bandwidth.
Scary.
Change
I know it may seem overwhelming, because ‘everyone’s doing it’. But, we can either wait for the world to change, OR, change ourselves, first. I used to watch MMA Fights, but no more. Now, I choose to support entertainment and activities centered on love, good purposes, and appropriate fun. My determination is to support things that promote our society’s upward progress, instead of downward digression. How about you? Let’s avoid the ‘Roman Times’ by no longer supporting the ‘MMA Times’!
I know it may seem overwhelming, because ‘everyone’s doing it’. But, we can either wait for the world to change, OR, change ourselves, first. I used to watch MMA Fights, but no more. Now, I choose to support entertainment and activities centered on love, good purposes, and appropriate fun. My determination is to support things that promote our society’s upward progress, instead of downward digression. How about you? Let’s avoid the ‘Roman Times’ by no longer supporting the ‘MMA Times’!
Sincerely,
Kyle
Extra Food For Thought
*I've heard arguments advocating MMA fighting on the premise that Professional boxing is worse. Well, I believe both those 'sports' are immoral and harmful to society and family.
*I've heard arguments advocating MMA fighting as a good sport on the premise that injuries are sustained in all sports, including cheer leading. This position would indeed hold ground if, of course, the risk of physical injuries was the grading criterion for determining whether an activity is good or bad. Ultimately, the scale that weighs morality is based on purpose, intention, and the spirit of those details. For example, when you break down the sport of Cheer leading to its core parts, when you review the purpose and intention of that sport, what do you get? A loving spirit of teamwork in working together to encourage, lift, and motivate others, using smiles, positive cheering, and dance. And yes, occasionally the cheerleaders fall or miscalculate a tumble and break some toes. That's the sport of Cheer leading. However, when you break down Cage Fighting to its fundamental parts, what are you left with? A contentious, hateful spirit of men hitting, choking, and kicking each other, all the while inheriting serious physical damage, and in the end, for no positive, moral purpose. This same display can be seen in school fights or street fights or on the battle field of wars, we claim to despise.
Extra Food For Thought
*I've heard arguments advocating MMA fighting on the premise that Professional boxing is worse. Well, I believe both those 'sports' are immoral and harmful to society and family.
*I've heard arguments advocating MMA fighting as a good sport on the premise that injuries are sustained in all sports, including cheer leading. This position would indeed hold ground if, of course, the risk of physical injuries was the grading criterion for determining whether an activity is good or bad. Ultimately, the scale that weighs morality is based on purpose, intention, and the spirit of those details. For example, when you break down the sport of Cheer leading to its core parts, when you review the purpose and intention of that sport, what do you get? A loving spirit of teamwork in working together to encourage, lift, and motivate others, using smiles, positive cheering, and dance. And yes, occasionally the cheerleaders fall or miscalculate a tumble and break some toes. That's the sport of Cheer leading. However, when you break down Cage Fighting to its fundamental parts, what are you left with? A contentious, hateful spirit of men hitting, choking, and kicking each other, all the while inheriting serious physical damage, and in the end, for no positive, moral purpose. This same display can be seen in school fights or street fights or on the battle field of wars, we claim to despise.
