The first rule of this Fight Club, like the movie group of the same name, is to, "Never talk about Fight Club." That is understandable in a group where violence is the reason for its very existence but in a Christian discipleship group? In a normal, healthy Christian discipleship setting, transparency is the norm. They are open groups and, indeed, talking about the group is how new members are found. Apparently, Fight Club 414 is different. The reason is not readily accessible to anyone outside the group. In fact, very little actual information is accessible by Googling. Their website is sparse and pretty much closed to any outsiders. So, why the secrecy?
I can name a couple of reasons: First, and quite legitimately, depending on the nature of the group, there may be concern for the privacy of the members. However, that may be the STATED reason but not the more basic, underlying one. The second and more nefarious purpose for not talking about Fight Club could be to hide the true nature of the group to the outside world. This is most often seen in groups commonly known as cults.
Cults are generally led by authoritarian figures or small groups which use very specific methods to control the members. One of those methods is mind control. Does FightvClub 414 use mind control? It's difficult to say for certain but there are some indications that it might. The stated purpose of the group, among other things, is to mold men, to save men from their undisciplined ways which have led modern men to lose their way. According to their Facebook page, "Fight Club employs the core ingredients of Camaraderie, Competition and Challenge to awaken Christian men from mediocrity, strengthen them emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually, resurrect the masculine community and mobilize them for maximum impact in their families, churches and communities." It is a ten week program during which men must complete mental, physical and spiritual challenges, "...within the context of community and accountability." What it sounds like is that Fight Club uses social, mental, spiritual and physical pressure to change behavior. That is a form of mind control. The only question is whether it is constructive or destructive and whether the program is consistent with Christian values, principles and goals.
The entire program employs images of fighting and competition. The very name evokes images of the movie of the same name and the violence within. The scripture verse which they are founded upon is from Nehemiah 4:14: "Fight for your, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." The context for this verse is war. Violence. Where, in any of this is Jesus? Jesus only used force one time, to remove moneychangers who took advantage of people, from the Temple. The rest of his ministry and teaching was distinctly nonviolent. When Peter took his sword and cut off a centurion's ear, Jesus told him to put away his sword and he healed the centurion. In spite of the fact that the soldiers were there to arrest him. Jesus the Christ was the Prince of Peace. The entire image and program of Fight Club 424 seems to fly in the face of Jesus' teachings.
While violence and fighting is certainly in the Bible, the concepts are not Christian. In fact, whenever, in history, the Church has gotten involved with force and fighting, tragedy has ensued.
I have no doubt that Fight Club 414 uses this imagery and language to promote itself to men, who are attracted to the gun culture, the fight culture.. They are misrepresenting Jesus in the process. And they are promoting a form of toxic masculinity, one which is testosterone heavy and is patriarchal in the most negative sense. How can they reconcile the fight imagery with Jesus' admonition to "turn the other cheek"?
There are other concerns I have, including the predilection for burning things which
Is reminiscent of white nationalism. The above photo is Fight Club 414. The photo below is from the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. Where's the difference?
So, what is Fight Club 414 and should it be a part of any churches ministry? My impression is that it is a cult-like group that is heavy in fight based imagery, is patriarchal in the toxic and negative sense and it draws on imagery from the White Nationalist terrorist movement. Most of all. Fight Club 414 is not based on the teachings, life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. As such, it cannot be considered to be Christian. My recommendation is to watch out if there is talk about Fight Club 414 in your congregation.
