Churches Use Mixed Martial Arts to Recruit

(CBS)  A growing number of evangelical churches have embraced mixed martial arts as a recruitment tool to convert young men, the New York Times reports.

The increasingly popular sport - which combines kickboxing, wrestling and other fighting styles - has drawn millions of TV viewers. One such telecast was the top pay-per-view event in 2009, the newspaper reports.

The outreach effort is part of a broader goal of pumping more testosterone into churches that some pastors fear have "become too feminized, promoting kindness and compassion at the expense of strength and responsibility," the newspaper reports.

According to the Times, the predominantly white churches recruit young men through TV viewing parties and lecture series that draw parallels between the sport and Christ.

"Compassion and love - we agree with all that stuff, too," Seattle pastor Brandon Beals told the newspaper. "But what led me to find Christ was that Jesus was a fighter."

A few ministries actually host or participate in live events.

[fightpunk]

You guys are rediculous. You take a small article that took from a bigger article and came up with conclusions to how you think and feel. When he said he was a fighter there was a much bigger picture. Not that he literaly fought, but that he fought with his lis life. That he paid a price for our sins. The fact that he loves the ufc and a pastor you want to hate on him because of the violence. Did you not watch passion of the christ? Arguably the bloodiest movie ever. It was just a movie protraying something. I watched the new episode of Lost last night and then watched the WEC on Versus and thare was way more blood on Lost. Billobob- Satin? Really? what is your interpetation of the Bible. Are you saying that Jesus did not fight for us. If thats the case then satin won, and then you have a twisted view of the Bible because when I read it, it says Jesus has the victory. Good luck with your interpetation. All of you guys should be ashamed. Go to the website fightpastor.com and find out more. email him before you criticise. But dont take an article and take it as fact. For if you go to the website you would find out he is 39 and the new york times said he is 37. So are you really going to take everything that is in print literal? and with that you have been punked!!!

[jetphixer]

Looks like JC has bigger Bombs for a while. How come JC kills more folks than Buddha lau se tu an Alanah put together.So just answer hte Who would jesus bomb. Check out Betty Bowers an the landover baptist church. You will be saved.

[Brokennews]

I don't mind if sports figures are religious, but what is irritating is when they say in the post game interview: "I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for this victory. Today's victory wouldn't be possible without God".......Huh?? How about throwing a few thank you's to the opposing quarterback that pitched four interceptions??!!

[diamruby]

This is all about money & member numbers for these churches,the control of others using religion. None of these churches are in it for the good of mankind. Churches are in it for the money

[bill0bob]

GI Joe Jesus! Because God is [NOT?] Love. Hellfire and damnation for everyone!

Today's "Christians" do NOT know ANYTHING about salvation. They only understand "Us against Them". They think they are the "good guys", but nothing could be further from the truth.

Need proof they've LOST THEIR MINDS? Seattle pastor Brandon Beals told the newspaper: "But what led me to find Christ was that Jesus was a fighter." This man is a "pastor"? He has the most blatantly TWISTED understanding of the Bible I have ever heard. If he was actually "led" to anyone in the Bible... could it be Satan?

[jetphixer]

who will jesus bomb next week?

[displeased]

Why don't they use religion and god as a basis for recruiting? Is it because they aren't relevant anymore?

[AttentionDeficit]

If they get Chuck Norris, it would extend their reach considerably

[CoastalExchange]

That's stupid. Jesus wasn't a warrior. I mean, I know religion is all made-up anyway but Jesus was an actual person so how can they twist history? Oh yeah, I forgot evangelicals think the earth is 6000 years old.... I'll defer to my first point: That's stupid.

[rightbehind]

The religious right only know how to waive a bible. They have no clue as to the contents inside. They would be running from republican conservative ideology if they did. It's warned about from the front to the back cover.