Comments on: NYT Writes About Something Old, Again

By: Josh Stein

Josh Stein — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:59:36 +0000

Thanks for the clarification. It was ambiguous in the New York Times piece. They jump around a lot with a handful of different organizations.

Cage Assault is one of the promotions.

They mentioned Xtreme Ministries (out of Nashville). They also mention Canyon Creek Church and then (for some reason that escapes me) Focus on the Family and Ryan Dobson. They also mention Victory Baptist Church, though only briefly.

By: Fight Pastor

Fight Pastor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:19:59 +0000

For the record, Canyon Creek Church isn’t the church from Ohio that puts on actual fights. Canyon Creek Church is the church I lead (fight pastor is my MMA blog page). CCC is in Seattle. We host showings of UFC events for MMA fans. The church you are referring to is extreme ministries not Canyon Creek Church.

I am, like you, an normal guy who is an MMA fan. I just happen to be a minister.

Fight Pastor

By: Josh Stein

Josh Stein — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:21:22 +0000

Yeah, I should be clear I have no problem with the Times attacking these organizations over patriarchal bullsh*t. Still, the look is pretty one dimensional and despite my excitement at all things irreverent, I have to say it’s just shoddy journalism.

By: wardog

wardog — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:26:47 +0000

Sorry Josh I just could not read the article, because of the quotes they put into it from the “Christian MMA Fighters” but good points on your behalf. But I do get some of the points the Times is pointing out about “Christian” fighters.
Bill

By: Yael Grauer

Yael Grauer — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:25:16 +0000

great article, josh

By: Josh Stein

Josh Stein — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:34:42 +0000

I agree with you, B. I think the focus ought to be on the fact that this organization has done some truly amazing work.

It’s worth noting (since I can say this, having talked to Fedor’s religious councilor) that Fedor doesn’t think of himself as a Christian fighter, he thinks of himself as a Christian and a fighter. Now, along with being a husband and a father, I think he considers these things two of the most important parts of his identity.

Obviously, I’m not Fedor’s biographer or anything, but I think it’s fair to say that being a Christian who is a professional fighter is not the same as being a “warrior for Christ” or a “Christian fighter.” I think Matt Hughes and Kimo (and the guys in this article) would identify as the latter, while Fedor is clearly the former.

By: BWoods

BWoods — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:29:03 +0000

My main issue with the NYT article here is their complete ignoring of how the sport has helped find these men a better life. As you said, they’re off the streets, out of the bars, and doing something that helps these men improve themselves.

The article tries too hard to draw a water and oil comparison. Almost as if its saying “look at these goofs in Ohio trying to rationalize being christian fighters.” Even more annoying is the (possibly unintentional, as you said hanlon’s razor) of MMA with racism, drinking, and criminal violence with the mentioning of blood, gangs, shaved-heads, and tattoos.

It draws the sport in a light that makes it appear inherently evil. No mention of the honor, dedication, focus, and respect that radiates from the sport.

I guess they didn’t know Fedor was a deeply religious man himself but is considered the most dangerous man of all.

Wish I had more time to think my reply through but being at work and on a phone kind of restricts my thoughts. You get the just of what I mean though.