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B o x i n g
Commentary
Grapevine, Texas -- WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2) of the Philippines, a Catholic, squares off against Joshua Clottey of Ghana (35-3), of Muslim faith, on March 13, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.
In many battlefields throughout history, each army strove and fought to butcher an opposing enemy force, believing in its own divine power and God.
Entering the battle, each army believed that their own (infinite) God would protect them in their hour of maximum danger.
The conquered force believed in its own God, that there was a driving machination in the universe that compelled favor and victory in man's worse contest: war.
Religion-driven conflicts often spurred an army - encouraged by its religious leaders - to prove to the enemy that its own form of religious deity was superior to theirs.
PHOTOS: Manny Pacquiao Media Day
PHOTOS: Joshua Clottey Media Day
Conquest on the battlefield - a product of strategy, technological advances, and / or numerical strength - became a justification of a people's deity's (God's) superiority of the conquered, the beaten. And with a superior deity, the victor believed itself to be a superior race over the conquered.
Dehumanization of the enemy made it easier for the psyche to cope and digest with the slaughter and brutality of war and man's darkest instincts. If your enemy is less than human and / or prays to an inferior God, it is easier to massacre them. Thousands of babies' skulls would be smashed against the wall, destroying the populace.
On this pugilistic instance, there is no such dehumanization. Both Pacquiao and Clottey respect each other. Outside of the ring, perhaps they can carry on and maintain a bond and friendship until their end days.
As March 13 approaches, however, each warrior will ask his own God to bring them the courage and strength to deliver victory to his own people. Both warriors have faith that his deity will deliver when only one fighter can emerge the conqueror in that grandest of arenas.
Author Steven Woodworth shows how opposing armies could put their trust in the same God while engaging in years of organized slaughter and destruction in his book "While God is Marching On: The Religious World of Civil War Soldiers."
In perhaps history's most popular allusion to this theme was Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural speech. After Lincoln's death, an undated manuscript was found now generally known as the "Meditations on the Divine Will". Lincoln wrote:
The will of God prevails — In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be wrong. God cannot be for, and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is somewhat different from the purpose of either party — and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect this.
Lincoln's sense that the divine will was unknowable - this view stood in contrast to sentiments popular during his time.
In that second inaugural speech, and referring to the American Civil War, one of history's greatest leaders said:
Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope--fervently do we pray--that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Y
Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether"
When opposing warriors each believe in their own faith and God, Lincoln's points that God's purposes are not directly knowable to humans.
Pacquiao is a heavy favorite entering the squared circle on March 13. An $800 wager yields but $100 for the PacMan. Clottey enters this contest from a proud African nation, born of humble origins, and with nothing to lose - relying on the protection of his own divine providence. And Pacquiao attributes the ascent of his boxing career from a "religious awakening." The Filipino shares of his "conversation with his own God" in his sleep years before he became famous, and he would go on to draw strength from his personal relationship with his deity.
Whatever the outcome of this brutal and savage battle, any final answers do not emanate from sports writers and scribes. ESPN does not possess a monopoly on the truth, only a microcosm of it. The machinations of human activity may sort out the details, perhaps from a larger lesson and purpose. And that makes the process, despite its intense savagery, much more magical and . . . . . . . sublime.
Comments
Wow....im a great fan of yours Marvs.
I think there are different understanding of God in different religion and faith. Isn't God an all pervading master of the whole cosmic Universe?
One question you may ask is, was Jesus a Catholic or a Christian? Which religion did he believe in?
Did God forsaken Jesus at the hour of death? Or one coming from the dead sea scroll - Jesus told Judas to inform the soldiers of his location for his arrest in order to fulfil his destiny.
Did not the Spanish bring the Roman catholic religion to Philippines and was forced to change their Hindu beliefs?
good luck Manny from all your fans
@Allan
Philippines was never a hindu religion country before the spanish.. They were some sort of athiest who belived in Mother nature as their God (Bathala).. and Jesus cant be neither catholic nor christian because both religions are based on his time on earth before his death.. Cathars are like a remix of the roman heiarchy with the new jesus belief.. and the Christian belief is from constantine.. converted from the belief of the sun god..hence the sun halo around Jesus head as they portray him... Thats my take on it.. see for yourself
scratch that Philippines was not athiest but pagans before the spanish came... so as constantinople before Jesus times
I think joshua is more tougher fighter than mayweather. I dont think money-may can destroy joshua...So manny should be mer careful to his fight.
I don't think it's more a matter of enemies each believing in his own God...I would like to think that they both believe in the same God, the differences lie in their perception/understanding about God and how much & what kind of faith does each of them place on this same God; these make the difference between these two "enemies."
Some
Good luck manny to your fight this coming march 13.....and for
mayweather just wait for your turn and don't talk to much okay........
the national fist of the Philippines vs the Great Wall of Ghana
A very good fight of different faith...brings the world to one BIG EVENT of 2010!
clottey will kill pacquiao.. using bombs, remember he is a muslim.
I will fight Pacquiao but please don't hurt me
to imman:
I am agree with you.. They have the same God. I hope this will not trigger into like a fight between two different religion.
Peace to our Muslim brothers and other religion.
Wake Up ALLAN!
Jesus Christ is not Catholic nor Christian. Christian was named only after his death, that's why those who believed in Christ are Christians, just remember Christian derived from the word Christ. While Catholic is only a part of Christianism, and for your information, if you are a Christian it doesn't mean that you are a Catholic. Christians can be Catholic, Protestant, Evangelist, Iglesia ni Christo and so fort and so on as long as you believed in Jesus Christ then you are a Christian.
One more thing, Muslims and Christians believed in only one GOD! The same God of Adam and Eve, God of Prophet Noah, God of Prophet Abraham, God of Prophet Joseph the dreamer, God of Prophet Moses, God of Prophet David and etc. Muslims also believed with these mentioned Prophets but their names are defined in Arabic language and they even believed in Jesus Christ. That's why Muslims and Christians are believing in the same God, "Yahweh" in English and "Allah" in Arabic.
That’s why there shouldn’t be a conflict between Christians and Muslims instead there should be brotherhood and to unite between them.
As for Philippine history, Southern parts of Philippines are Muslims before the Spaniards came, which means Muslim religion came to the country before Christianism. Northern parts of the country were some sort of Atheist who really believed in Mother Nature. Who Magellan fought to when they reached Cebu? Lapu-lapu, right? Lapu-lapu is Muslim as well as Raja Suliman and so forth and so on.
WHAT HAS RELIGION GOT TO DO IN THIS FIGHT??? ALRIGHT THE PAC IS CHRISTIAN AND PRACTICES CATHOLICISM BUT IT IS HIS PREFERENCE WHATEVER!! I JUST HOPE THE RELIGION ISSUE DOESN'T CREATE A NASTY ENDING FOR ALL IN THIS PAGE!! LET THE FIGHT BEGIN (BETWEEN PAC AND THE AFRICAN) AND THE BEST PUGILIST WINS!! VIVA EL PAC VIVA!! VIVA PINAS!!ARRIBA LOS PINOYS!! GANATE PAC!! GANATE!!
Was Jesus a Catholic or Christian? Huh? Christian is a first name and catholic is a surname. They're one in the same brothers. They're not different. Christianity starting with Constantine? Huh, Constantine made Christianity legal is about it. It existed before him. If you believe in Jesus Christ then you are a Christian, huh? Satan and his demons believe in Jesus Christ but yet they're incapable of works of Love.
billy,where did you get your facts,from word of mouth or research?muslims claimed lapu2x as their own but he never is & was a muslim!rajah jumabon wasnt either..they are both natives but isnt a muslim nor a christian..ever wondered why there arent much muslims in cebu & lapu2x island,coz lapu2x fought any stranger that set foot in the island(esp his island)he was so fierce that he never lost a battle..so billy if youre a muslim(your name doenst sound like one)dream on!lapu2x is not a muslim as yall muslims claim to be =)
billy,what a great post you got there,only its meant for kids & not adults who follow boxing!wasnt that sarcams,hhmmm i thot so...even an adult atheist know what youre talkin about.its juz silly to lecture here about religion & its basics..dont pretend to be a smart ass coz u juz looked off & dumb with your posts
That’s why there shouldn’t be a conflict between Christians and Muslims instead there should be brotherhood and to unite between them.
As for Philippine history, Southern parts of Philippines are Muslims before the Spaniards came, which means Muslim religion came to the country before Christianism. Northern parts of the country were some sort of Atheist who really believed in Mother Nature. Who Magellan fought to when they reached Cebu? Lapu-lapu, right? Lapu-lapu is Muslim as well as Raja Suliman and so forth and so on.
Don't fight Christians and Muslim because of this article!! tsk! tsk! Both believe in the same God,here's why? Abraham has two sons Isaac and Ishmael -- Isaac was known to be the father of hebrew while Ishmael was known to be the father of the arabs. God and Mohammed are the same...so let the fight begin in the ring..but not between two religion. ok!
indeed nice article.....
That’s why there shouldn’t be a conflict between Christians and Muslims instead there should be brotherhood and to unite between them.
As for Philippine history, Southern parts of Philippines are Muslims before the Spaniards came, which means Muslim religion came to the country before Christianism. Northern parts of the country were some sort of Atheist who really believed in Mother Nature. Who Magellan fought to when they reached Cebu? Lapu-lapu, right? Lapu-lapu is Muslim as well as Raja Suliman and so forth and so on.
Philippines was predominantly Islam before the Spaniards came.
I think Manny is doing a great job in professing his faith in Jesus to the world, Thanks to TV and internet. Did you kow that his mother (a pure Bilaan - one of the native tribes in Mindanao) wanted Manny to become a priest...well if he did became a priest, his preaching would have been limited to the size of his parish, but Manny's parish now is the whole world, and everytime Manny gives glory to God and thanking Jesus for every victory...the boxing fans and spectators alike watches in awe of his humility.
Brilliantly written Marvs....Congratulations kanimo bay!
LETS GIVE A BIG HAND FOR THESE TWO MAGNIFICENT FIGHTERS THAT DUE ON MARCH 13! I LIKE CLOTTEY BECOZ HE IS INDEED A MUCH BIGGER CHALLENGE SO FAR FOR OUR HERO PACMAN, BUT STILL PACMAN WILL PREVAIL!!! AND THAT FOR SURE... JUST WATCH HOW HE DO IT!!! EXACTLY THE "PACMAN WAY"!!!! GODSPEED PACTEAM!!!! PAC THEM ALL!!!!! GOODLUCK HERO PACMAN!!!!
little John:
You are a worthless illiterate little brain! You don't deserve respect! Try to educate your little brain by researching to expand your knowledge poor little john. Even Saint John will regret to know that you have his name worthless because religion doesn't mean anything to you! Suliman itself is a Muslim name poor little john you don't have any knowledge about Muslim and you really don't have knowledge about Christians, and you wasted your name as Christian little john with little brain. Try to educate yourself you little ILLITERATE BRAIN.
I'm a Christian, and I don't mind to get involved with Muslims to share my knowledge with them because I believe in sharing knowledge you will gain more. Muslims too doesn't mind to share what they have because they listen when it's all about GOD.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. he keeps telling the people and the public that "Pacquaio is not what we think he is" and the Mayweather's been cryin' about it over and over again without any proof that Pacquaio is on PEDs!
Pacquaio must not get overly confident and just keep throwin' punches in bunches cause what if he hurts his hand and thats aside from a head butt??
@ little Brain John.
What I had post is not for a baby crying for milk like you, little brain john. You don't deserve to be here as you are an illiterate baby john. You better suck your thumb and be quiet for the rest of your worthless life baby john.
What I had posts is base on facts, not like you ILLITIRATE BABY JOHN. I will educate you about Muslims and Christians if you want to just to get a better life baby john.........
I agree with you Papa Don't Preach! It just happened that an illiterate came from nowhere, commented against me without thinking! What an irresponsible kid he is? Anyway, I don't care about him because he is an ILLITERATE a pure worthless life he has.
I agree with you Papa Don't Preach! It just happened that an illiterate came from nowhere, commented against me without thinking! What an irresponsible kid he is? Anyway, I don't care about him because he is an ILLITERATE a pure worthless life he has.
I agree with you Papa Don't Preach! It just happened that an illiterate came from nowhere, commented against me without thinking! What an irresponsible kid he is? Anyway, I don't care about him because he is an ILLITERATE a pure worthless life he has.
Here in Norway we love #1 p4p champ Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao... PPV-HD ready on saturday march 13... piles of chilled beer and peanuts are ready too... it would be an exciting fight of PacMan again as always.. Definitely no PPV buy for boring KFC Floyd Gayweather Jr. here... we are boycotting because Floyd only love himself but not the fans... Go PacMan!!!
Wow! Never knew Clottey was a Muslim, now I know fo sho Pacquiao gonna win, LOL!
Manila was a muslim kingdom way back then before the spaniards came fools! That's why the spaniards went to cebu for a safe passage..Read your history books! You all can google it up!
MABUHAY KA PACMAN!
Christians call God... Jesus Christ. Muslims call God... Allah. Not the same God. Even within Christianity... they say Jesus but not meaning the same Jesus.
The living expresses who you truly worship much more than what you say. If you zealously seek after wealth... you worship Mammon in spite of what you say.
If you zealously kill people in the name of your god... you worship Death.
If you express Christ with Him as the pattern in spite of your thoughts and opinions... then you 'will' be persecuted as He had said you will. Those who are "led" by the Spirit of God... "THESE" are the Sons of God. It's much more than just having his spirit.
Muslims believe in being the best Servant of God. Through Christ, the invitation has been extended to be the Sons of God. Who is the heir, the servant or the son?
Christians call God... Jesus Christ. Muslims call God... Allah. Not the same God. Even within Christianity... they say Jesus but not meaning the same Jesus.
The living expresses who you truly worship much more than what you say. If you zealously seek after wealth... you worship Mammon in spite of what you say.
If you zealously kill people in the name of your god... you worship Death.
If you express Christ with Him as the pattern in spite of your thoughts and opinions... then you 'will' be persecuted as He had said you will. Those who are "led" by the Spirit of God... "THESE" are the Sons of God. It's much more than just having his spirit.
Muslims believe in being the best Servant of God. Through Christ, the invitation has been extended to be the Sons of God. Who is the heir, the servant or the son?
please don't turn sports into a religion beliefs fight.
Sulayman or Sulaiman is the Muslim name for Solomon, Musa is for Moses, Ibrahim for Abraham.....I'm a Christian - I worked in Saudi arabia for 7 years and listened to what our Muslim brothers have to say - we are all worshiping the same God.
What matters most is: Do we bring people closer to God with our words and actions? Or do we drive people away from God...I think Manny is doing a great job on what a good Christian boxer should be. By setting a good example in words and deeds - he is evangelizing in a very special way.
Prince Naseem is a good boxer and carried his religion proudly in the ring - he even printed ISLAM on his belt....but the way he carried himself was...you know, I don't have to tell you...just compare it with how Pacquiao treats his opponents...with respect and dignity....remember David Diaz fight, he tried to get him up after knocking him out....
Pacquiao is not only a Christ believer, he is a disciple.
Sulayman or Sulaiman is the Muslim name for Solomon, Musa is for Moses, Ibrahim for Abraham.....I'm a Christian - I worked in Saudi arabia for 7 years and listened to what our Muslim brothers have to say - we are all worshiping the same God.
What matters most is: Do we bring people closer to God with our words and actions? Or do we drive people away from God...I think Manny is doing a great job on what a good Christian boxer should be. By setting a good example in words and deeds - he is evangelizing in a very special way.
Prince Naseem is a good boxer and carried his religion proudly in the ring - he even printed ISLAM on his belt....but the way he carried himself was...you know, I don't have to tell you...just compare it with how Pacquiao treats his opponents...with respect and dignity....remember David Diaz fight, he tried to get him up after knocking him out....
Pacquiao is not only a Christ believer, he is a disciple.
The Christian believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God who came down to us to redeem the sins of the world.
The Buddhists believe that Buddha was a man, a prince at that, who become God. And the Muslims, they believe in their God, Allah.
Regardless of our faith, we are still brothers... these fight is not about religion, instead its the fight for the recognition... its a fight for the world title belt, and the prestige that comes with it. Needless to say that this is also the fight for money, or the purse that comes with it?
Manny was a muslim in secret!
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