She can still compete and would continue to compete just not against him...

Jason Murdock

I was wondering if anyone would see the slippery slope problem when you start making decisions based upon the particular characteristics of the person you are wrestling ... and basing discrimination on the bible or other religious doctrine isn't all that surprising...its happening everyday in all walks of life all around the world...

Like having discriminating tastes. It's a good thing! She can't win Homecoming King either!

Can't pass this one up.
And he can't wrestle with the Homecoming Queen either!!!

Would you have a problem with a nazi not wrestling blacks based on their beliefs? It seems like its the same situation.

If this familys religous beliefs are this strong then why was this even an issue? This should have been discussed with their family, their pastor etc... They shouldn't need public validation to follow their religous beliefs. This subject should have never even been posted religion is a personal and private matter, it doesn't need to be discussed on a wrestling forum

It's NOT the same thing. That's racism. This is a boy not wanting to fight a girl. If a guy swung at you would you swing back? If a woman swung at you, would you? Why not?

racism is discrimination based on skin color this is discrimination based on gender. same thing, you cant pick and choose what is discrimination and what isn't based on your religous beliefs, because your beliefs may not be the same as mine, Wrestling a girl is not fighting a girl there is a huge difference, if a guy hit me i would punch him back, if a woman hit me, depending on the circumstances i might hit her back.

That has nothing to do with this issue, this girl has paid her dues, practice, sacrifice just like the boys,she should be shown enough respect to compete against her, if he doesn't its no different than racism plain and simple

This kid has a solid conviction that it's the right thing to treat girls differently than guys. Just as you said that you "might" hit her back. Why the might? (Although I would consider you a coward if you did). It's because you respect the difference between men and women. Now that's plain and simple.

Just as she has the freedom to wrestle, he has the freedom to decide not to wrestle her. I wonder if half of you would even care if his decision wasn't based on religion. I love how this country wants to protect everyones rights unless it is a religious right!?!?

Jason Murdock

This subject should of never even been an issue on this board. One thing thats great about this country is that we have personal freedoms. We are able to choose to participate in activities we enjoy doing. I think its this kids right as an american citizen to decide to wrestle or not.
However I also think this should of been handled entirely different. All this post did was open up an 11 year old kid to scrutiny during the most important time of the season. It sounds like this young man has very strong convictions, He must have learned them from his parents. If this family really feels this way then why do they need public validation on this forum?
This should of been handled at home with this boys coach. All they had to do was default the match, no reason needed to be given, and public approval doesn't matter at all. This should of been handled quietly, no one would know why he defaulted, no ones feelings would of been hurt and it would of been a non issue.

Those are my two cents on the subject.

Tom Baughman

Hi Tom,

"Should, should, should, should..."

Four times in your brief 'two cents' worth. Do all those 'shoulds' tell you something? They do me... but I am not going to connect the dots for anyone unless they ask me via PM.

That being said, I think what you wrote below ROCKED! :

"All they had to do was default the match, no reason needed to be given, and public approval doesn't matter at all".

Yet, I sincerely believe the father had good motives in starting the post. I don't think he was doing it as a publicity stunt or anything... Is that what you think he was doing? If our convictions are not challenged by our own conscience at times, then I think something is wrong.

Seems like he has some dissonance in his mind that he just wanted a little help/advice in getting it all work out.

Is there anything wrong with that? Again, do you think he posted merely because of his ego? That he posted to draw attention to himself? I guess it doesn't matter. But, my two cents worth is that his motives were sincere.

It looks like the young man decided to wrestle, and won (1st Match).

Dean,
I really don't know why this post was started. I don"t know this family. I was just merely making an observation and stating my opinion. I was not trying to pass judgement on anyone. I was just saying that I thought this could of been handled differently with a lot less drama.

Tom Baughman

Hi Tom,

Usually there are many different ways to solve problems/solicit advice. Since his question concerned wrestling, I thought this forum was an appropriate venue for him to do that.

I guess we will just have to respectfully agree to disagree.

Peace and goodwill to you.

Take care.