Here's a portion of the story:
Nondenominational evangelical churches have a long history of using popular culture--rock music, skate boarding and even yoga--to reach new followers. Yet even among more experimental sects, mixed martial arts has critics.
[However,] fighting as a metaphor has resonated with some young men.
"I'm fighting to provide a better quality of life for my family and provide them with things that I didn't have growing up," said Mike Thompson, 32, a former gang member . . . who recently had struggled with unemployment and who fights under the nickname the Fury. "Once I accepted Christ in my life," Mr. Thompson said, "I realized that a person can fight for good."
If I recall correctly, the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) was created nearly 100 years ago to give men a Christian alternative to drinking and gambling. Same song, different verse, I guess.
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