Is it strange to be a pacifist yet still like UFC, rugby and hockey?

Question

I see a huge difference between controlled mutually agreed upon 'violence' and using violence to solve political and philisophical arguments.

I don't even like 'heated' debates as I see no place for anger or verbal violence in discussion but I don't have any problem with two trained fighters of equal size, regulated by a professional referee and a doctor, wanting to compete in martial arts.

I see 'fake' violence such as pro wrestling or TV movies to be more degrading to people and society.

What do you think?

Answer 1

Not really. It's no more inconsistent than a person who is a vegetarian but wears leather shoes. Fact is, we have aggressive instincts which need to be channeled into something useful. Sports is one good way. Another is things like restoring old houses. You get to demolish walls here and there, make a lovely mess, and then do the constructive part. And certainly there are plenty of really physical things to do in farming, forestry, any sort of out-door work. You don't have to take out your aggressions on your fellow man!