Amidst the flurry of hysterics coming my way after my recent comments on cage fighting I received some forthright letters from Christians involved in the sport. One in particular is from Seth Falvo, a young fighter and writer for the website CagePotato. Apparently he wrote this lovely piece on me – MMA Is The ‘Child Porn of Sports’, According to South Dakota Porn Expert/State Rep. Steve Hickey [HATE]. Seth wrote me a stinging note and in particular called me out on my insensitivity to the death of a MMA fighter. Here is part of his letter:
I’m here to tell you that as a Christian, I have never been more disgusted to read THIS coming from a pastor’s own blog:”I have to bite my tongue because instead of the passages that comfort the grieving I feel like quoting the great philosopher Forrest Gump: Stupid is as stupid does.”
I was hoping this was just a sick, sick parody account, but upon confirming that this is, in fact, your own blog, I’m at a loss for words. Where do I even begin here? Do I quote the Bible and write “Judge not lest you be judged, For in the way you judge, you will be judged?” Do I quote “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone?” Or do I simply point out that you are a self-proclaimed pastor – a man of God – who essentially writes that a fictional character from a Hollywood movie knows more about how one should live than Jesus Christ, the Man whose message he is supposed to be teaching others. I’ll go with the latter. Wow. A self-proclaimed Man of God decides that God isn’t as smart as a dim-witted Hollywood character, and that he, oh wise and powerful pastor, is perfectly right in judging how law-abiding, church going people spend their spare time. If you’ve ever wondered why people my age have quit going to church, well, do I really need to explain why?
Here’s my reply and I’ll post it here as an open letter to all Christian MMA fans and fighters:
Seth,
Thanks for your honest note. For starters I’ll say I have a whole lot more experience with death than you do. I’ve been a police chaplain and pastor for years. There have been times when my pager goes off three times a week and I get to go tell people their loved one has died or been killed. I never quote Forrest Gump in those moments. What you read on my blog was the inner life of a pastor who has to sit with grieving people who are sometimes furious at their lost loved ones for doing stupid, reckless things that result in the wasting of their lives and causing such pain to their families and friends. Both my parents are dead and my father died a very violent death at the negligence of another… meaning it was entirely preventable if only one person had not been so reckless. If you don’t like my Forrest Gump thought I can quote you many passages on foolishness resulting in death and destruction. It is foolish for someone to get into an unsanctioned cage and fight in our state. That was my point.
And not for a moment do I receive your judgmental comment that I’m the type of person who is keeping a generation from Christ/Church. I have started and am leading large church with a ministry school and a substantial ministry to young adults. Also I’ve been planting churches around the world and we lead people to Christ all the time. I’m friends with significant church leaders in your state and we may even have mutual friends. The stream I minister within is aggressively evangelistic and fruitful.
I regret my MMA/child porn comment because it was too shocking and people have entirely lost the point I was making. Forgive me for that but I was simply trying to shine a light on something those in the sport don’t want us to see.
It was interesting to me you jumped right to the “judge not” passage in the Sermon on the Mount. I’ve been a student of that passage of Scripture for twenty five years and have written a 400 page book on the topic. Do you know the Sermon on the Mount also trumpets the non-violence, non-retaliation, turn the other cheek message? Why do you pick and choose verses in that sermon and ignore it’s main point? Do you not agree that we have a problem with violence in society? Do you honestly, before God, think your sport isn’t feeding a blood lust in our culture?
As a Christian let me ask you, if the next guy you kick in the head or choke with some guillotine maneuver passes out and doesn’t wake up— who killed him? Let me ask you Seth, who would Jesus elbow in the face? I won’t judge you or the other athletes here and make some blanket statement that you are full of bloodlust but I WILL say that about your fans and the crowds that flock to your sport. The Bible speaks about bloodlust. Greed and bloodlust make the MMA today a multi-billion dollar violent entertainment industry.
I’ll be happy to send you a free copy of my Sermon on the Mount book if you want to study that text fully. There is more than “Judge Not” in that sermon. And, by the way, judge not does not mean we turn off all discernment and stop calling good, good and bad, bad. My calling is certainly not to just smile and say nothing. My calling as a minister of the Gospel is to tell the truth even when it’s unpopular. I was elected in my state to push red and green YES or NO buttons and make decisions everyday about things our state should say YES to and things our state should say NO to. Sometimes I fail in that I don’t do all that in love but I figured your crowd was a tough crowd and strong words would be fine. I was wrong, you all are hyper-sensitive, thin-skinned and full of self-justification for what the average person can see with a naked eye is extreme violence. All these claims that I’m ignorant of the sport are simply smokescreens to mask what is obvious.
I’ll paste below some additional comments that I made in the committee and want to point out to you that my comment on a “seared conscience” is a term from the Bible.
All the best to you.
Rev/Rep Steve Hickey
Here are those additional comments:
They say I’m ignorant of this sport and they make a case that it only looks dangerous. I even had a cage fighter/PhD write me and tell me “elbows are used primarily to cause superficial damage and an elbow doesn’t produce a concussive blow.” That’s ridiculous. My response it that it is what it is – too violent and that is evident to the naked eye and the casual observer. I’ll quickly concede I am no expert on MMA. But as I told one of the fighters this weekend… “just maybe a guy like me can see what you don’t see.” Violence is addictive and people in addiction (including codependents) don’t see or acknowledge any problem until there is a tragedy, or an intervention. I’m intervening here and asking you to join me.
I’ll speak briefly from an area that I do have professional expertise: there is such a thing as a seared conscience which refers to a person who has lost a capacity of innocence whereby they no longer wince. We don’t want to become a society that can’t wince. Ben Franklin said: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” I submit to you that society is reaching that point and more masters means more laws like this amendment.
I don’t deny the good that is going on in MMA – giving young people confidence and discipline. But MMA is not the only vehicle to accomplish those ends. It doesn’t take that level of violence to develop character, fortitude, confidence, strength and discipline. Any of the other sports overseen by this commission can do all those good things. MMA feeds something in society that we don’t want to feed.
Society was just fine before they figured out to do this and it will be just fine without it again. We aren’t losing ground with my amendment. Actually, we might even be gaining ground that we’ve lost.
Ways & Means 
48 comments
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Feb 26, 2013 at 7:47 am
Ban MMA in SD: The conversation on violence in society has to start somewhere, why not with our most violent sport or form of entertainment? | Gate Post
[…] UPDATE: You may also be interested in the follow up post I’ve done on this topic: AN OPEN LETTER TO CHRISTIAN MMA FIGHTERS AND FANS […]
Feb 26, 2013 at 8:20 am
CAHeidelberger (@coralhei)
Curious: did Seth actually address any of the arguments you offered, or did he just wallow in the typical “judge not, you big meanie” self-justification?
Feb 26, 2013 at 8:34 am
Gary
I don’t even care for the MMA personally but this is America. MMA is legal and has been before you were elected, so are you pursuing a personal agenda and trying to subject the populace to your viewpoint.
It reminds me of Bloomberg, outlawing 2 Liter sodas…I do not understand why politicians think they have been elected to make personal decisions for people….that is not what America is.
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:15 am
Jack Burton
When I read your posts I do not read an intelligent response built on facts, I read an emotional and defensive response about your experiences and knowledge of scripture, death, etc.
As an adult, one of the things that I’ve tried to do is not make judgments on things that I know little or nothing about. You might want to consider that.
BTW, for you to constantly defend a position based on opinion and conjecture when there are staggering facts that prove the converse as well as your dismissal of the doctor’s comment about the concussive nature of elbows goes further to show that you are not a man of knowledge and reason but more a man of arrogance, judgment, and ignorance.
Feb 26, 2013 at 10:44 am
KBroEsq
I truly find it ironic that you liken MMA to the dark ages, or the days of Rome, yet your writing clearly shows how ignorant you are about MMA. No one denies that the sport is violent, but many things are. I think one of the most ridiculous things you said in the previous MMA article was in response to someone pointing that more cheer leading deaths occur than MMA deaths. I believe you responded: well, the point of cheer leading isn’t to punch someone in the face. How is that relevant? You are saying this sport is hyper violent and dangerous (absurdly comparing it to the days of Rome [seriously, give me a break]). and people are responding that it results in less death per year than seemingly innocuous things. That’s a legitimate response to your argument! If something that is seemingly dangerous and violent is not resulting in death or serious injury, then something in the way of safety must be going on that you purposely ignore. Listen to Dana White when he talks about the UFC: not one death or serious injury has occurred in the sport’s (the UFC) entire history. Studies have been done that show getting your head knocked with a glove for 12 rounds or having someone run into your body is much more dangerous long-term than simply getting knocked out. Further, in MMA, you can tap out, and bouts typically only last 10-15 minutes before a decision, which is how probably more than half the bouts end.
Trust me, we all ‘get’ your ingenious porn analogy. We still think its not apt in any way. Even if you were to show me a study that proves that people exposed to violence are more prone to violence, that fails to account for the self restraint taught in MMA in general. Many of the fans are casual practitioners. Furthermore, porn appeals to a very strong and primal desire within people. I’m sure you will say the same is true for fighting, but I don’t believe that for a second. When people say you are ignorant, it’s because you’re ignorant. You don’t even know what you’re talking about. This governor guy talks about ‘scratching’!? Is that a joke? And your comments to this writer about ‘who would Jesus elbow in the face?’ I, and many people, do a lot of things Jesus didn’t do. I’m an attorney; that requires me to go to court and agressively argue that my opponents arguments are illogical and wrong and be an advocate for my client. Jesus wouldn’t probably do those things either. Nor would he throw a football, or stand on someone shoulders with palm palms. MMA fighting involves two consenting adults, just like, say driving in a car, playing ANY sport, or walking down the street. Many of these things result in death. Does that mean we are not Christians; because we may cause a death some day? I think not. You need to stop thinking of these fights like they are not consensual. One day you will realize that MMA is a sport that involves high skill and discipline (more than any other sport for that matter), and when time goes on, and you see that the number of serious injuries remains small, you will eat your words.
It’s actually the fact that people like you advocate for denying commissions for these sports that cause more harm. You’re just driving the sport underground where there are no doctors checking guys before and after fights, where there are less rules, and the skill level of the officials is questionable. It is unfortunate that deaths have occurred in MMA, but of the deaths that have occurred, it is pretty clear that those deaths would not have occurred had those fighters been in an organization like the UFC.
Feb 26, 2013 at 11:43 am
Matt
You are prime example of why many many people have lost faith in politics in this country. It is no longer what “the people” want, but it’s what the politicians want. If only you politicians would listen to the people and what they want maybe just maybe there would be a way to change directions, but this stems from the top down. The federal government thinks they know best and will do whatever they want regardless of what the masses want or desire so I can see why local politicians like yourself think they can get away with the same things.
YOU don’t want MMA to be available to fighters in your state and local communities. Though, I am sure the majority of the SD people when given ALL of the facts would be on board with legalizing and regulating the sport of MMA. But of course that would be contrary to YOUR beliefs and what you think the people that you represent want.
Feb 26, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Roman
Maybe as a ‘conservative’ you ought to consider not using your legislative power to legislate your own personal morality unto other people. Or is that part of ‘conservatism’ so abhorrent to you? What part of small government escapes your comprehension? What part of freedom and liberty escapes your reasoning? You may be Christian, sir, but you are hardly a political ‘conservative’. You’re not for small government. You aren’t for letting people live their lives according to their own freedoms and their own liberty. You put conditions on this, based entirely on how YOU interpret your own faith. Stop attempting to push down your own personal morals down the throats of other people, no matter how well intentioned they are. That’s what ‘conservatism’ used to be, and is. And it’s being constantly overshadowed and obliterated by the likes of you, and people like you, making yourselves come off as societal dinosaurs, living in some far off made up gilded age. I’m not sure who’ve done more personal injury to, victims of child abuse (as you compare MMA fights to child pornography) or MMA fighters (since you’re comparing them to people who commit child pornography). You’re harming the conservative movement out there. You’re harming your own party. It is because of this kind of ignorant rhetoric (and it is entirely ignorant and stupid) that Republicans will continue to lose, and if you truly cherish the Republican brand, or the conservative brand, you’d have to know when to put your personal beliefs and morality in check, in regards to the greater political philosophy of the Republicans, and/or Conservatives.
Feb 26, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Jacob Smith
Do you also campaign against football? Perhaps Karate, Wrestling or Judo? Football has a factually proven higher rate of injuries than MMA, while everything that is legal for MMA can be found in one of the three other martial arts. If you don’t do you intend to do so in the future and if not can you explain how that is not hypocritical behavior?
It is pretty obvious from your use of the “slippery slope” argument (that if SD where to allow MMA it would eventually become “more violent”) that you have done absolutely no research into the sport. Historically (and do you even know how long this particular sport has been in existence?), there were no weight limits, no rounds, and the only rules were No Biting, No Eye-gouging and No Fish-hooking. In case you were wondering (as I’m sure you never bothered to look up the current rules) they’ve added quite a few rules since then making the sport less violent over time rather than more violent (somewhat weakens the foundation of your case doesn’t it?).
From reading your stance I take away the following: you are attempting to legislate from a position of ignorance. Moreover, willful ignorance as the facts are there to be researched. You are attempting to force reality to fit your preconceived notions rather than to open-mindingly research the subject matter and make your decision based on logic and reason rather than emotion. Finally, it is pretty obvious from your posts that you believe, as is typical with so many “Christians”, your view to be correct and RIGHT regardless of any of those irritating little things called facts.
Feb 26, 2013 at 2:25 pm
anthony.bonefeste@gmail.com
I read both the initial post and this follow-up, and I have to say that your view on this sport (yes, it’s a sport) is very shallow and very obviously developed with no research. Of course watching the sport casually makes it look like to bloodthirsty animals only wanting to harm one another. But watch what happens after the majority of the fights. More often that not the guys get up, bloody and brusied, and hug one another. The mutual respect and admiration most of these athletes have for one another is unlike many “mainstream” sports.
No one will disagree that the backyard cage matches that go on unsanctioned and with no medical staff are both dangerous and deplorable. But the main point that you miss is that these athletes train for the sake of competing. This sport requires the winner to physically dominate the loser, but it is rare for mixed martial arts atheletes to intentionally cause permanent harm to their opponent.
A few other points- throwing out a link to your book on Amazon is rather tasteless. Your likening of MMA to child pornography, though, is despicable. Ironically enough, there seem to be more news stories about men of the cloth engaging in the viewing of child pornography or child molestation than there are stories of negative long term effects of MMA.
Feb 26, 2013 at 2:39 pm
Scott
Wow what a giant boob you are
Feb 26, 2013 at 8:15 pm
Austin
You’re not helping. Ad hominem attacks only lessen the legitimacy of the argument, perhaps that’s your plan. That’s not to say the author isn’t a “giant boob” but that comment is really only semi-valid in what should be the next public debate — whether or not his representatives should be calling for his resignation.
Feb 26, 2013 at 4:10 pm
Ric Olsen
I could not agree with you more! I to feel we are loosing our young people to violence and lack of responsibility for one’s actions. We need to regain the idea that manhood or adulthood is not connected with being bigger and badder than everyone else. It grieves me to see all of the violence we create in video games, movies and various sports in the name of entertainment. I do not think we can go back, but I think we should at-least change direction or even curb the impedance that creates this kind of recreation. Violence is just as auditioning as drugs, and only craves more to satisfy. Where does it end? Someone, somewhere must draw the line! Thank You for doing just that!!!!
God forgives ALWAYS Man SOMETIMES Nature NEVER
Sent from “The Boathouse”
Feb 26, 2013 at 4:26 pm
DC
You’re being a coward, Steve. You ran away from your previous comments section and locked it because literally NOBODY agreed with you, and you were completely dismantled on every fallacious point you tried to make by experts in a field you don’t know a thing about. The only thing you didn’t do is delete it…yet. You also were invited by your state’s premiere female MMAist to observe a day in her training and teaching in order to actually learn something about the subject you’re so ridiculously vilifying…which you of course ignored.
You’re really making yourself and your constituents look foolish with your backpeddling and imaginative comments. You invoked the words “child porn” into a conversation that needed to be had. That is a sensationalist, yellow-bellied move designed to pull heartstrings in the cheapest, most petty way possible. due to you having no REAL argument against the safe regulation of a sport that will happen under your nose one way or the other. As it is, your stance is costing your state money and lives, and your argument does not pass muster with ANYONE that has a lick of sense and experience with the subject. Again, cowardly moves by you. With your history of hateful statements regarding others’ deaths, I guess it’s just about par for your course.
Let’s see if you get re-elected. I bet not. All the best in your next line of work, sir. I hope you don’t go about it as haphazardly and ill-informed as you were on this subject. Cheers.
Counting the minutes until you delete this, by the way.
Feb 26, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Shayna
Again, martial arts history. Pankration (a sport mixing boxing and wrestling) is one of the oldest sports that exists. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pankration
Stating the WE invented this because of our limited sensitivity to violence is not accurate.
The other mistake you continually make is not separating the SPORT from NON-sport. “Who would Jesus elbow?” I would say he is just as likely to elbow someone as he would be to run full speed at someone and tackle them with all his bodyweight into the ground. I participate daily in MMA and have for over 10yrs. I have only once been in a physical confrontation outside of the sport, and it was to stop a fight going on that didn’t involve me. There is a huge difference between sport, and street fighting.
As for the question as to who would be responsible if I were to kick someone in the head and they died? I would say I hold the same responsibility as the man who dropped a cheerleader on her head and killed her, or the countless boxers over the years whose opponents have died. Again, it is necessary to acknowledge the difference between the sport and non sport.
And the way you pick and choose scripture to fit your agenda is sickening. If a boxer enters a competiton, is he to “turn his other cheek?” Again, a big difference when the context is looked at inside or outside of sport. On the other side of the coin, the Bible can say anything when taken out of context. Ex. 15:3 states. “The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.” In Genesis 1:27 we are told that we are made in His image. It seems the Bible also argues FOR me to test and continually improve my warrior skillset.
Pastor Mark Driscoll (avid MMA fan) would agree.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?sns=em&v=EQqV_sfhOoc&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEQqV_sfhOoc%26sns%3Dem
The whole thing is, we can argue in circles until the end of time. These are facts no one can argue: MMA is a mainstream sport. It is heavily regulated in commissioned states (45 of them) and has a history dating back hundreds of years. There are many that exist that prefer to not watch or support the sport in any fashion. I say, you are free to do so. But arguing against regulation is exactly the thing that makes the sport dangerous.
Feb 26, 2013 at 7:09 pm
Steve
Here’s an interesting article with varying perspectives on this issue: Is Cage Fighting Ethical For Christians – Three Views http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/january/cage-fighting.html?paging=off
And here’s the Southern Poverty Law Center saying Cage Fighting is a haven for neo-nazis… http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2008/spring/the-last-word
Mar 4, 2013 at 3:47 am
Patriot
Does your audacity know no bounds sir? First off, this article has no factual evidence to its claims that many skinheads enjoy the UFC. Secondly, the article says “recently established discussion groups devoted specifically to MMA”. If these skinheads were so active if the UFC then why did they just recently start talking about it? Of course if a skinhead becomes an MMA fighter, many skinheads are going to jump on this occasion to make an argument about the whole superior race thing. As for you saying “Cage Fighting is a haven for neo-nazis” then we read seperate articles. If cage fighting was a haven for neo-nazis, they would have already been interested in cage fighting prior to Man-O-War. This is pathetic that instead of answering people with intelligent rebuttals and stating a good case for yourself, you continue to put these articles with no factual evidence up, and when you do answer people it is either immature (talk to the hand), posting articles that hold no water, or saying “It is what it is”. Is this because you have no retort or you’re just limited to posting nonsense articles, saying “it is what it is”, or “talk to the hand”. We are supposed to be protecting the freedoms of this country. You need to think abou the majority instead of pushing your little personal crusade against the majority which you will never overcome just like these ignorant people pushing for weapon bans.
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Steve A
Steve, saying MMA is a breeding ground for neo nazi’s does not mean all Mixed Martial Artist and fans are neo-nazis. By you logic since there are neo-nazis who listen to hardcore music, the anyone who listens to hardcore is a neo-nazi. The article is complete garbage. MMA is filled with fighters and fans of many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Just like many of your arguments you have decided to stand from a bully pulpit and dictate your personal view regardless of facts.
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:58 pm
Chuck
Mr. Hickey,
I’m not going to belabour you with points about why MMA should be regulated, or why you’re factually and categorically wrong on many of the points you’ve raised. This has been adequately addressed I’m sure. Rather, I’m going to offer you some of my observations on politics in general and your role in the political sphere.
I hold BA(Honours) and MA degrees in political science and am almost finished my degree in law. I’ve worked for several years in the public sector and have studied and written extensively on political theory and political parties and ideologies.
I will applaud you for making use of your blog to communicate to your constituents a clear policy decision on your part; all too often we see ambiguous messages from politicians as well as a reluctance to embrace modern technology. On this point, you are doing a good thing.
Unfortunately, your arguments present a regression in the development of political thought in the United States. I’m Canadian, but I assure you that we are not far off in political theory (I’m more exposed to American media than Canadian media given my location).
Your position – which at times infuses religion into policy – harkens to those situations in the deep south where teaching evolution could result in disciplinary action. Your reluctance to listen to logical, reasoned arguments is appalling, but not all too unfamiliar in certain political circles. Unfortunately, it is those political circles that political scientists view as retrograde movements in the development of political thought in our countries.
I realize that you’re a devout Christian. That is fine. But basing policy decisions on your religious beliefs likens your role in the political realm to that of a politician in an oppressive regime that we all-too-often criticize. Ignoring rational debate – such as that neglecting to regulate mixed-martial arts would simply result in a more dangerous, underground form proliferating – is an unfortunate by-product of this narrow policy and ideological focus. It is this type of thinking that causes outside observers to question the saliency and effectiveness of the democratic system itself.
The simple truth is that MMA is no more violent than most sports that we do embrace and regulate. Those sports, however, become safer because we regulate them. Football, as it once was, could be seen by many to be barbaric. Today, it is one of America’s favourite sports. Statistically speaking, we see similar or higher rates of injury in other sports.
Your role as a politician is to effect policy based on reasoned, rational debate and discussion. While you took a positive step in communicating your position to the public, you must be accountable to the public will. Where the public disagrees with you or presents rationale arguments that you are simply incapable of refuting, the mandate that you’ve been given requires you to uphold the public will, regardless of what you think scripture tells you or what anecdotal evidence would lead you to believe.
Furthermore, the boon that MMA could present to your state economically would make it irresponsible for you to at least consider the arguments posed against your position.
I urge you to let logic and reason guide you.
I hope you make the right choice, sir.
Feb 26, 2013 at 10:54 pm
Bjorn Lervik
How come all you pro-cage fighting guys are so sensitive on this topic? Obviously a nerve has been struck here! A former killer once said, “Let a man examine himself, to see if he is in the faith.” Maybe it’s time to look inside to see if there needs to be some soul searching.
Feb 27, 2013 at 2:06 am
DC
WOW, he really DID pull Godwin’s Law with the Nazi MMA camps. Unbelievable, Steve. You never took a debate class, did you? All you’re doing is trying to scare the elderly and squeamish into voting for you.
Feb 27, 2013 at 2:24 pm
MMA Roundtable: Superfights, Liz Carmouche, Struve vs. Hunt, and screwball politicians - Unofficial Network
[…] present Hickey’s grand argument, I should probably let you know that this is the same man who responded to CagePotato’s Seth Falvo by penning the Shakespearean line: “Let me ask you Seth, who would Jesus elbow in the […]
Feb 27, 2013 at 10:52 pm
Wutsnormal
Personally… I feel the fighting is super stupid (for lack of a better term). And no way this “sport” improves society. I used to get into bloody, tooth-jarring fights as a young guy 20 years ago… I still to this day feel like a complete idiot for it. Because I was.
Feb 28, 2013 at 7:07 am
Morning Report: South Dakota passes bill to regulate combat sports, MMA ban handily defeated - ViralBanter
[…] inanely referred to mixed martial arts as “the child porn of sports” — and later asked the question, “Who would Jesus elbow in the face?” — saw his amendment to ban the sport easily […]
Feb 28, 2013 at 7:14 am
Morning Report: South Dakota passes bill to regulate combat sports, MMA ban handily defeated - Unofficial Network
[…] inanely referred to mixed martial arts as “the child porn of sports” — and later asked the question, “Who would Jesus elbow in the face?” — saw his amendment to ban the sport easily […]
Feb 28, 2013 at 7:37 am
Morning Report: South Dakota passes bill to regulate combat sports, MMA ban handily defeated | UFC MONTREAL TICKETS
[…] inanely referred to mixed martial arts as “the child porn of sports” — and later asked the question, “Who would Jesus elbow in the face?” — saw his amendment to ban the sport easily […]
Feb 28, 2013 at 8:08 am
MMA » Morning Report: South Dakota passes bill to regulate combat sports, MMA ban handily defeated
[…] inanely referred to mixed martial arts as “the child porn of sports” — and later asked the question, “Who would Jesus elbow in the face?” — saw his amendment to ban the sport easily […]
Feb 28, 2013 at 8:35 am
Morning Report: South Dakota passes bill to regulate combat sports, MMA ban handily defeated | Fighters Direct
[…] inanely referred to mixed martial arts as “the child porn of sports” — and later asked the question, “Who would Jesus elbow in the face?” — saw his amendment to ban the sport easily […]
Feb 28, 2013 at 8:41 am
Morning Report: South Dakota passes bill to regulate combat sports, MMA ban handily defeated |
[…] inanely referred to mixed martial arts as “the child porn of sports” — and later asked the question, “Who would Jesus elbow in the face?” — saw his amendment to ban the sport easily […]
Feb 28, 2013 at 11:18 am
Michah Young
If you bothered reading the article you linked to, you would have noticed it was written by Ben Goldstein, not Seth Falvo.
Your ability to research things before writing about them is just fantastic, isn’t it?
Feb 28, 2013 at 11:37 am
Seth Falvo
Pastor:
First, as I wrote to you originally, I was not trying to persuade you that MMA should be legal. As I wrote, to each his own, I just found that for a pastor to site Forrest Gump over the Bible was really disgusting. If you’re going to post my private emails without my permission, you should post the entire thing.
Second, as I _also_ pointed out, that article you linked to “written by me” was written by Ben Goldstein. This explains why it was signed “BG” at the bottom. Lying isn’t very Christian, now is it?
I’m not here to waste time debating you; personally I feel anyone who argues against something without doing research and then claims some sort of divine sight (or whatever term you keep citing) when others correct him is clearly crazy. I’m just here to clear up my email for those who seem confused.
Feb 28, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Tyler Clancy
A politician and a pastor? That could possibly be why you posted a response to a letter that you truncated intentionally for your audience? I fear for the people who you mentor and advise. Did it ever occur to you that you may have had a way better argument if you actually posted some facts on the sport that you felt were detrimental to your community? I for one am not a follower of religion due to people like you in positions of authority in these churches who feel as if they have no accountability for the things they say or teach. How could you use this rhetoric when you are a leader of a community and a leader in a church? You have labeled and embarrassed anyone who is associated to you in these endeavors.
Feb 28, 2013 at 2:50 pm
Jim Hoover
You sir, are what is wrong with this country. Go back to your church and spare the rest of us your opinions, please. Dope.
Dec 12, 2015 at 3:07 am
deyong
Football is still football in which someone tries to show skills as an art. MMA and UFC are not good sport christians . The game show us how to hurt someone just for money. I do not like to judge anyone in details . That’s very clear I would rather stay in my faith….say no to violent sport.
Feb 28, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Freddy Facepalm (@freddyfacepalm)
I agree wholeheartedly with you Pastor Hickey, and would like to ask you to continue this fight! In fact, I think we should broaden the scope beyond barbaric cage fighting and lustful porn. There is another even greater danger out there, alcohol. Alcohol is incredibly addictive, and has caused many deaths and injuries, and ruined many lives. I believe we should change our laws to outlaw alcohol. I know many people will say that Jesus turned water into wine, and told his disciples to drink his “blood”, which we do at church all the time in the form of wine. But He would not approve of the manner in which people abuse this drink! So it is up to us to stop it! Please Pastor Hickey, start a crusade to bad what is obviously one of our greatest evils! We can start with South Dakota, and once we have proven that an alcohol-free South Dakota is better for everyone, we can move on to the rest of the country! We must be proud leaders, and show the world how to live as Christians! Let us be a light unto all!!!
Feb 28, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Carson Beebe
I’m a pro MMA fighter. I use the MMA platform to show the power of Christ in my life. Because I am a Christian, I can step into the cage with no fear because I know whatever happens I still have an amazing God. I have had the opportunity to share this massage with youth groups, churches, and many other people. When ppl hear my story they listen, and God willing, it has a positive impact on their lives.
As a pastor, I am interested how you would say this could be a bad thing? Would you say that my approach to inspire others is a bad one??
Feb 28, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Christian Johansen
Would it be possible to purchase a “Who would Jesus elbow in the face?” t-shirt?
Feb 28, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Tristan Renn
“24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.25Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.26Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I fight in such a way, as not beating the air;27but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
In this passage, Paul refers to “the games”. These games Paul references, and to which he gives no sign of disapproval, included fighting. Furthermore Paul explicitly references this in verse 26, in the context of exhorting his audience to follow the athletes’ example of physical discipline in their spiritual discipline. He draws a similar comparison in 2 Timothy 4 when he says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” In all this, Paul a) assumes his audience has seen and is familiar with the games and b) never feels compelled to condemn the games (though Paul is stylistically known for his extended sidebar statements in the midst of a larger point), just the opposite – he commends the athletes to his readers! This is despite the fact that unlike modern MMA there were not weight-classes, health screenings, oversight commissions, etc. Combatants were bare-fisted, there were few rules to speak of.
So I have to ask, if the Apostle Paul didn’t have a problem with sport fighting, why do you have such hatred for the far less brutal incarnation we see today?
As for your now infamous question of “who would Jesus elbow in the face?”, I acknowledge that the specific scenario sounds bizarre and unlikely; but no more violent than when Christ (with calm premeditation) fashioned a whip and struck out at the merchants in the temple. We also know that Christ allowed for the state to wield the power of the sword, and that He is one day coming to bring terrifyingly violent judgment. So let us not be content to reduce Jesus to a limp-wristed pacifist, hippie moral teacher; he is far more than that. And his Sermon on the Mount (which is meant to be taken as a whole and not divided into proverbs on violence, meekness, etc. divorced from each other), calls on his followers not to seek their own justice, to put others before themselves instead of being so preoccupied with their own “rights”, what they “deserved” or what is “fair” in their own eyes. THAT is what the reference to turning the other cheek is about. If someone strikes you, don’t get mad that he dared invade your space, violate you, hit you; turn the other cheek, but rather put yourself below him, and you will receive an eternal reward over earthly respect.
Feb 28, 2013 at 7:30 pm
South Dakotas Finest
I am not surprised that a pastor isn’t swayed by numerous scientific studies suggesting that MMA is no more violent or dangerous than other “combat sports” (like boxing) and likely less violent and dangerous than sports like football. The next time I see someone on the far religious right swayed by science will be the first.
Feb 28, 2013 at 8:02 pm
CMan
As you apparently have no knowledge of this sport, yet seem to think that makes you the expert, i have to deduce you are little more than an attention whore, which is the child porn of mass media. Honestly, this is exactly what makes us conservatives look incredibly bad. Opinion based off absolutley nothing and no desire to educate yourself. Very disappointed minister.
Feb 28, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Alec
So you have a problem with violence, yet you and your state do not advocate banning boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, or football? Although I disagree with your position, I have no problem with someone taking an anti-MMA stance. If you feel so strongly about preventing violence in your state, I challenge you to lead the charge to ban football as well. It is an extremely violent game, known to cause severe head trauma, potential paralysis, and can lead to death. Like you said, “I don’t deny the good that is going on in MMA – giving young people confidence and discipline. But MMA is not the only vehicle to accomplish those ends. It doesn’t take that level of violence to develop character, fortitude, confidence, strength and discipline.” This same logic should then apply to football; kids can gain confidence and discipline through other non-violent means, such as theater or playing an instrument.
So the challenge has been laid down before you. If preventing violence is your goal, then MMA ,football, as well as all other contact sports, should be in your crosshairs to ban. As a man of God, a man trying to prevent violence, you must lead the charge to ban all contact “violent sports.”
Mar 1, 2013 at 8:28 am
d.Ingleberry
Dear Representative Steve Hickey,
It came as a big surprise to me this morning when I woke up to read on other MMA news sites that you have apparently published part of an email I had sent you. I don’t regret anything I’ve written, but I did find it odd that you took my email as a defense of MMA. As I wrote in the email, not only couldn’t I care less about how you feel about the sport, but also, I didn’t even write the article that you have attributed to me. I also found it pretty odd that you didn’t chose to publish that part, but I digress.
I’m not here to point out the factual inaccuracies in your posts about MMA. I’m not here to debate you. I’m also not here to encourage you to watch a sport you have no interest in. I’ve already seen dozens of people try to do all three of those things on the comments sections of your website, only to watch you essentially claim that knowing absolutely nothing about the sport helps you see it for what it really is (?). I may be a lowly writer for CagePotato, but even I have better things to do with my time than argue with a guy who genuinely seems to believe that his ignorance towards a topic makes him the only trustworthy source of information on it.
Rather, I am here to tell you that if you are serious about getting MMA banned, you may want to consider stepping down from your unofficial position as the anti-MMA community’s mouthpiece.
Up until now, the only reason that anyone has paid attention to your rant has been your comparison of the sport to child pornography. In your mind, you didn’t receive the reaction you wanted because other people were too shocked to focus on the point you were making. In reality, other people dismissed the comparison because, believe it or not, they can tell that you didn’t even have a point when you made it. You’ve flip-flopped on what the comparison is supposed to mean – a telling sign in itself that you made it without any real point in mind – going from ”MMA is the worst sport in terms of injuries and violence” (which it clearly is not, as anyone who knows who Lawrence Taylor and Joe Theismann are would know) to “Anyone who understands addiction knows that it starts off with MMA then progresses to murder!” (Because obviously, porn addiction starts with innocent stuff like child porn then works its way to buying a Girls Gone Wild DVD, right?).
Making such an over-the-top comparison does nothing but turn away people who may otherwise agree with you, and serves no purpose other than turning your own argument into a gigantic self-parody. Perhaps if you are serious about getting MMA banned, you should allow more rational people to lead the argument. Who knows, maybe a businessman who has actually researched whether or not MMA legalization affects the economy or a doctor who has researched the long term negative health effects of being an MMA fighter may be taken much more seriously than a pastor who tries to use scare tactics and shock value to make his case.
Sincerely Yours,
Seth Falvo
P.S. If you really want answers to the questions you have posed at Christian MMA fans and fighters, Fightlinker has already published a rebuttal, and I personally think it’s fantastic.
P.P.S. While I appreciate your offer of a free book, if you did as much research while writing it as you did while being South Dakota’s unofficial voice of the anti-MMA community, I must decline your offer. I have no use for a doorstop, paperweight, or firewood, and frankly, I bought more toilet paper today at Sam’s Club than I’ll ever go through.
Mar 1, 2013 at 2:29 pm
frank
mr. hickey,
a) you’re supposed to be a representative of your constituents. it’s not your job, believe it or not, to determine by your own volition what’s right/wrong, good/bad, etc. your track record in politics has already shown you are incapable of distinguishing what’s good for the people you represent in the office you hold.
b) you are a sad and pathetic excuse for a christian. based on your comments (and not just those related to MMA), it’s clear you feel superior to anyone with a differing opinion, and continually show a “holier-than-thou” attitude towards others.
i can appreciate that you feel your calling and your experience in life has led you to the crusade you’re on, but you don’t know God any better than any other true christian, nor does your narrow interpretation of the bible give you any more insight to what He wants for us.
as a state rep, you are a disgrace to SD and america.
as a pastor, you are a disgrace to christianity.
Mar 1, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Leeroy Kincaid
Know that Steve Hickey doesn’t speak for all Republicans or Christians in South Dakota. We have a very strong wrestling tradition here in South Dakota and have even had a former South Dakota wrestler continue on to be a UFC World Champion in Brock Lesnar. Wrestlers have no pro league to continue there careers in and now don’t even have the Olympics as an option. But we do have MMA as a way to continue practicing our discipline. In fact, I would venture that wrestling is the core discipline in MMA. As wrestling is popular in South Dakota and wrestlers are by and large fans of MMA, you Mr Hickey, have angered a large part of your constituency with your comments. As head of your own church, I’m guessing you aren’t used to being questioned and hence that is why you aren’t able to understand the backlash. My advice would be next time, don’t float your ideas first in the echo chamber that is your church but perhaps test them out on people who aren’t afraid to disagree with you!
Mar 4, 2013 at 7:33 am
Steve
Rep Hickey watches MMA class… http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=forum.posts&thread=2140693&forum=11&page=1&pc=2
And here is a pic: https://twitter.com/QoSBaszler/status/307660295915057152
Mar 30, 2013 at 2:24 am
MMA Roundtable: Superfights, Liz Carmouche, Struve vs. Hunt, and screwball politicians | UFC 140 Toronto Tickets
[…] present Hickey’s grand argument, I should probably let you know that this is the same man who responded to CagePotato’s Seth Falvo by penning the Shakespearean line: “Let me ask you Seth, who would Jesus elbow in the […]
Mar 30, 2013 at 9:30 pm
Morning Report: South Dakota passes bill to regulate combat sports, MMA ban handily defeated | UFC 140 Toronto Tickets
[…] inanely referred to mixed martial arts as “the child porn of sports” — and later asked the question, “Who would Jesus elbow in the face?” — saw his amendment to ban the sport easily […]
Jan 27, 2014 at 9:20 am
Combat Sports and Christian Theology | therealconnordillon
[…] “An Open Letter to Christian MMA Fans and Fighters.” Gate Post (blog), Feb 26, 2013. https://stevehickey.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/an-open-letter-to-christian-mma-fans-and-fighters/ […]
Jun 23, 2014 at 9:25 am
Clemente21
Are you as adamant about boxing as you are MMA? There are plenty of MMA fans and fighters who are Believers, sir. I don’t agree with your opinion; however I do see your point.