Is competition good or part of our disordered nature?

HailStarofSea · #1 May 13, '12, 2:54 pm

Is competition good or part of our disordered nature? Was there any way in which Mary or Jesus were competitive, just for the sake of competing?

**GEddie** · #2 May 13, '12, 4:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by HailStarofSea

Is competition good or part of our disordered nature? Was there any way in which Mary or Jesus were competitive, just for the sake of competing?

Scripture does not tell us directly. However, there were no track meets or yeshiva scholarship contests in Roman Israel (not that our LORD would have needed such a scholarship).

I doubt that our LORD even competed professionally, as Biblical Nazareth was too small for more than one carpenter.

Competition, is itself, is neutral. It can drive to excellence, but it can also bring out the negative aspects of our being.

ICXC NIKA

meltzerboy · #3 May 13, '12, 5:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by HailStarofSea

Is competition good or part of our disordered nature? Was there any way in which Mary or Jesus were competitive, just for the sake of competing?

According to Judaism, competition is good but has the potential of becoming bad. It is part of our physical and psychological need for survival: we compete for food, clothing, shelter, medicine, love, friendship, attention, grades, jobs, rewards of all kinds. It is part of our "good inclination"; however, if abused, it may become part of our "bad inclination." Nonetheless, without any competition, there would be no life.

Aelred Minor · #4 May 13, '12, 5:38 pm

It is sinful if it is an uncharitable sort of competition.

Mintaka · #5 May 13, '12, 6:01 pm

Proverbs 27:17 --

Iron sharpens iron, as a man sharpens his friend.

And if you think Jewish society wasn't competitive back in Jesus' day, and that Jewish small towns were all about sitting around doing nothing together, you don't know too many Jewish people.

Heck, arguing is a competitive Jewish sport!

Jacob wrestled with God's angel, and that wasn't seen as a bad thing.

Israel was a small country that had to defend itself and had to make the most of its small amount of rough land. Its people had to be competitive with each other, so that everyone became good enough to survive.

Mintaka · #6 May 13, '12, 6:03 pm

St. Paul famously compared the quest for heaven and holiness to a footrace. He also talked a lot about various athletic contests for the same reason.

If you think a race isn't competitive, you don't know too many ancient Greek people, either.

HailStarofSea · #7 May 13, '12, 7:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltzerboy

According to Judaism, competition is good but has the potential of becoming bad. It is part of our physical and psychological need for survival: we compete for food, clothing, shelter, medicine, love, friendship, attention, grades, jobs, rewards of all kinds. It is part of our "good inclination"; however, if abused, it may become part of our "bad inclination." Nonetheless, without any competition, there would be no life.

Why is competition good according to Judaism? Competing with the elements for survival, sure that's good. But competition with other human beings. What about turning the other cheek?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEddie

Competition, is itself, is neutral. It can drive to excellence, but it can also bring out the negative aspects of our being..

How does competition, striving to be the best, interface with humility?

**GEddie** · #8 May 13, '12, 8:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by HailStarofSea

How does competition, striving to be the best, interface with humility?

Because in so striving, one will collide head on with one's bodily and psychological limitations. As S. Paul said, of all the runners, only one receives the prize.

ICXC NIKA

meltzerboy · #9 May 14, '12, 7:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by HailStarofSea

Why is competition good according to Judaism? Competing with the elements for survival, sure that's good. But competition with other human beings. What about turning the other cheek?

How does competition, striving to be the best, interface with humility?

Well, I think that according to Eastern religion and philosophy (Hinduism, Buddhism), competing with the elements is also not good. One should instead strive to be at one with nature, just as one strives to be at one with G-d. But for Judaism, the abnegation or sacrifice of the self is NOT a good thing. One should respect oneself as a child of G-d and strive to better oneself. The process of striving often involves competition with others. This does not mean, however, one should neglect others' welfare or harm them. Far from it. Charity toward others is an essential tenet of Judaism, and competition with others must respect their humanity as well. Further, humility is greatly valued in Judaism: one should not boast of one's accomplishments and one should be willing to admit one's weaknesses as well as one's strengths and be ready to learn from others. Nonetheless, healthy competition can be beneficial to oneself and others, while cutthroat competition is generally destructive to all.

**edwest2** · #10 May 14, '12, 6:52 pm

Competition is good when it's not meant to hurt anyone. You can compete in sports for the fun and the exercise and if you get a trophy, humbly accept it. It's good for business too. You look at what your competitors are doing and if you can do something better, that's a good thing.

Read this: http://bible.cc/ecclesiastes/9-10.htm

The Holy Spirit gives all of us various gifts as He wills. We are to use those gifts as God gives us strength.

Peace,
Ed