God and MMA
I write a column for www.mmajunkie.com, a very popular MMA web-site. I enjoy answering questions generated by people that frequent the site. In doing, so I get to take the pulse of a portion of the MMA universe.
MMA attracts a large and varied group of perspectives. They range from the interesting and insightful to the infantile, scary and racist...and many things in between.
I am a person that believes in personal liberty. Do and believe whatever you want as long as it doesn't negatively affect/influence a child or impedes another adult from enjoying their life...go for it.
I also don't appreciate anyone attempting to force their views down my throat. State your peace and keep it moving is my philosophy. If you ask me my opinion I'll tell you but otherwise- "Have a nice day"!
In my 4.1.10 mmajunkie column, I wrote about the NJSAC's superb handling of the Thiago Alves' pre-fight medical clearance. I wrote that Thiago was a 'blessed' man and that 'many prayers were answered'.
My choice of words with religious tones created a litany of debate and castigation for my doing so. Comments ranged from 'he didn't mean blessed but truly meant lucky' to 'how could a supposedly intelligent and well educated physician believe and espouse such stupid and dangerous superstition'?
I didn't believe that a general interest MMA web site was the proper place to reply but fortunately my web site is!
If I would have meant to say that Thiago Alves was a lucky man I would have said exactly that. I know what the word blessed means. And I do believe in the power of prayer and the existence of heavenly inspired miracles.
Have a wonderful Good Friday and Easter! Enjoy a fantastic Passover celebration! And Asalaam Alaikum!
I respect all people of faith...and those that are not.
MMA attracts a large and varied group of perspectives. They range from the interesting and insightful to the infantile, scary and racist...and many things in between.
I am a person that believes in personal liberty. Do and believe whatever you want as long as it doesn't negatively affect/influence a child or impedes another adult from enjoying their life...go for it.
I also don't appreciate anyone attempting to force their views down my throat. State your peace and keep it moving is my philosophy. If you ask me my opinion I'll tell you but otherwise- "Have a nice day"!
In my 4.1.10 mmajunkie column, I wrote about the NJSAC's superb handling of the Thiago Alves' pre-fight medical clearance. I wrote that Thiago was a 'blessed' man and that 'many prayers were answered'.
My choice of words with religious tones created a litany of debate and castigation for my doing so. Comments ranged from 'he didn't mean blessed but truly meant lucky' to 'how could a supposedly intelligent and well educated physician believe and espouse such stupid and dangerous superstition'?
I didn't believe that a general interest MMA web site was the proper place to reply but fortunately my web site is!
If I would have meant to say that Thiago Alves was a lucky man I would have said exactly that. I know what the word blessed means. And I do believe in the power of prayer and the existence of heavenly inspired miracles.
Have a wonderful Good Friday and Easter! Enjoy a fantastic Passover celebration! And Asalaam Alaikum!
I respect all people of faith...and those that are not.
Right on.
Reply to this
Dr. Benjamin:
I appreciate your wisdom and realism. Thank you for bringing this to the forefront in a medium fraught with nonsense and ignorance.
I read your materials daily, and while I do not always agree, your perspective and experience are much needed in this world of information overload.
Keep it up.
Stay safe, be sure, and keep that faith that sustains you...
Humbly,
Art
Reply to this
I admire the fact that you are an intelligent physician who is not afraid to express your faith in God. I personally will not seek medical care from a physician who does not believe in the power of PRAYER or heavenly inspired miracles. I need to know that if I'm in a medical situation that is beyond my physician control, he/she will immediately pray for my well being and not try to seek his/her own understandings, but pray for my life, and understand that it is in God's hand. My prayer for you is and has always been for God to make you blessed and highly favored. May the Lord continue to enlarge your territory. I pray and sealed this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Reply to this