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Churches Ask Men to Fight Like Jesus

The latest trend combines Christianity with mixed martial arts

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 2, 2010 1:05 PM CST

(Newser) – Jesus just too wimpy for you? Fear not: A new crop of churches that combine religion with mixed martial arts could solve all your spiritual problems. "Compassion and love—we agree with all that stuff, too," one pastor tells the New York Times, "but what led me to find Christ was that Jesus was a fighter." Proponents tout this method of getting young men back into pews, while skeptics worry they're missing Christianity's whole point.

Some churches, like the appropriately named Xtreme Ministries (motto: "Where Feet, Fist, and Faith Collide"), go so far as hosting fights between members of the flock. Others draw the line at fight night viewing parties and fights-as-metaphors during sermons. "We've raised a generation of little boys," says a pastor who thinks fighting churches will help—but another insists, "I don’t live for the Jesus who eats red meat, drinks beer, and beats on other men."

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (3)]

Gilbert Melendez, top, punches Josh Thomson in a title-unification bout for the Strikeforce lightweight championship in a mixed martial arts match in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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The man should be the overall leader of the household. We’ve raised a generation of little boys. - Ryan Dobson, pastor and son of Focus on the Family founder James C. Dobson

Once I accepted Christ in my life, I realized that a person can fight for good. - Mike Thompson, fighter nickname: the Fury

Hard punches! Finish the fight! To the head! To the head! - John Renken, pastor at Xtreme Ministries, at a Cage Assault event

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 30 comments

jesusfreak

Feb 10, 2010 11:52 AM CST

Christians never claimed to be sinless. You mess with my family I'll kick your **%$#!!!! What do you think you need to leave your balls at the door? Come on! We're all guys! We all grew up playing cowboys and indians, war, fighting, wrestling and looking at girls. You think all that stops when you become Christian? You're still a guy! Whats the difference anyway with Christian football players? Christian athletes? We still want to win at things, why? Because we're guys! Frankly I don't see anything wrong. Most of you just want to cut Christiany down. But let me tell you it takes a real man to follow Jesus and to admit that we don't have it all together. Isn't that why we need Jesus in the first place? Come on!

Derni

Feb 3, 2010 12:47 PM CST

MARKETING--ISN'T IT GREAT???

my-name-here

Feb 3, 2010 5:04 AM CST

I bet it would not shock nearly as much as a poll of how many atheist's have read the bible from cover to cover. Most atheist's I have met have a very strong understanding of the scriptures, and have read the book in it's entirety. I can not say the same of most christians I know/have known. That shocks me.

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Churches Ask Men to Fight Like Jesus