So the new black in the world of Christian masculinity is UFC – Ultimate Fighting Championship. For those who are unfamiliar, it’s two men in a cage, beating each other up while other men watch either in person or on television. Christian men are no exception to the craze, starting with the big names (see Mark Driscoll’s tweets here and here). In a world in which to be a Christian man is supposedly to be a feminised man, these men are getting in touch with their more primitive side.
Now before anyone gets too carried away with a caricature, any Christian guy who’s into UFC will be quick to point out that this is more than a love of violence and a good fight. After all, UFC has rules – apparently you’re not allowed to paralyse anyone or gouge their eyes out. Really, it’s just like football! Or at least it’s like boxing or judo – and they’re Olympic sports!
Besides, rough and tumble is part of how God created men. After all, King David was a warrior (never mind his lack of self-control) and Jesus is some kind of sword-wielding ninja. Furthermore, UFC actually provides a decent evangelistic opportunity – to engage with ‘real men’ in the raw, confrontational way that women just don’t get.
So this is not some barbaric expression of the neanderthal lurking inside each man but actually a sophisticated attempt at engaging with other men as men. Or at least, that’s the justification I hear put forward. Which sounds all very rational. Unless you speak to a woman. She’s more likely to describe it as ‘savage’ or ‘brutal’, maybe even ‘inhuman’. But who is she to comment on what appeals to men?
Men know what’s best, and it’s been since women had more of a voice that men have found themselves marginalised in churches. Clearly, it’s time to reclaim a man’s right to beat his chest (or at least claim possession of the remote control while other men do) and do what he thinks is right without regard for the opinions of those ignorant women. Just like every other (cave)man has done since the Fall.
Categories: Tanzanian culture Woman Written by Tamie
Tamie Davis
Tamie Davis is an Aussie living in Tanzania, writing at meetjesusatuni.com.
Meet Jesus at uni 
Although I personally can’t see the entertainment value of it I have known pastors who were quite taken with this “sport.” I think it’s a bad example for young men to see this sanitized barbarism on television, especially while in the company of older and supposedly more seasoned Christian men.
Heh, sarcastic much? ;)
I can’t watch UFC – too brutal, too gross, no honour. I’m o.k. with boxing maybe, but UFC goes too far!
I love a good battle. But it’s so easy for us men to forget what we’re supposed to fight FOR…
Hey Tamie,
I’m not into UFC, and I get that you’re being sarcastic but is this a post about UFC being wrong or women being ignored? did I miss the point?
I also don’t get how a woman (or the opposite sex) saying “this is wrong”, without more, actually makes it wrong. It may be for other more objective or biblical reasons though…
I enjoyed your writing – it’s very good. just a bit confused when I think about it!!
Hi Reuben
Thanks for the question. I think there’s more wrong with UFC than that chicks don’t like it. As you say, the opposite sex’s dislike of something doesn’t make it inherently bad.
However, I think that the complementary nature of men and women does mean that listening to the voices of the opposite sex is an important and valuable thing to do. I think it would be a mistake to only have men speaking on this issue.
ok…no worries.
i don’t even like boxing… and i have a pink t-shirt on today and have purple writing on my thongs… dammit I’m so femminised!
Hopefully Jesus will soon sanctify me!
Just got two UFC DVD’s out for the weekend…sweet ; )
I see nothing wrong with christians fighting in the ufc or doing mma
MMA Fighter, care to elaborate? :)
Nat, LOL, you’re a moron. ;)