Rodtang and Superlek performed opening prayers for ONE Friday Fights 34. After a nine minute fight Superlek earned the unanimous decision victory over Rodtang.
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The Soul of Sumo
Netflix offers a gruesomely spiritual short series about a stable of Sumo wrestlers. One character whose frequent reporting drives the narrative is Asuka Kunishima. In the second to last episode she finally observes an awakening in the team: “Covered in dirt their souls bloom.” High athletic and spiritual intensity make “Sanctuary” absolutely binge worthy.
Renan Ferreira makes PFL finals and sign of the cross
Renan Ferreira reaches the PFLfinals with clear knockout and finishes with the sign of the cross:
A Prayer for the FIFA Women’s Soccer World Cup
Source of all life and love, We thank you for the gift of soccer, A sport that brings joy, passion and unity to millions of people. We pray for the women who will compete in the World Cup, That they may play with skill, courage and respect. We pray for the fans who will cheer them on, That they may celebrate with enthusiasm, fairness and peace. We pray for the organizers, officials and volunteers, That they may ensure a safe, smooth and successful event. We pray for the world that will watch them, That we may learn from their example of teamwork, diversity and excellence. We ask you to bless this World Cup with your grace and guidance, And to inspire us all to strive for the common good of humanity. Amen. (Written by AI)
Ferreira, Pacheco and Kolesnyk in PFL Playoffs
In last night’s PFL men’s heavyweight and women’s featherweight in Atlanta, three fighters stood out as they made it to the playoffs:
Thou Shalt Not Climb
In June. On Devils Tower. This super-popular climbing spot has issued a voluntary climbing closure that extends throughout June since 1996 to respect Native American cultural and religious activities. “Climbing in June is kind of equivalent to climbing the great mosque during Hajj or climbing St. Peter’s on Easter,” Tyler Devine, a ranger at Devils Tower explains.
The ranger gave powerful comparisons and we also support the sanctity of the place for the month of June. Taking the images to Bing AI delivery interesting results, though:
PlayersPrayers: rock climber on St. Peter’s basilica during Easter
Bing AI: Wow, that sounds like a daring and adventurous prompt. I’ll try to create an image of a rock climber on St. Peter’s basilica during Easter for you. Please wait a moment while I work on it. 🧗♂️🏛️🐣
PlayersPrayers: climbing the great mosque during Hajj
Bing AI: I’m sorry but I cannot generate an image of that prompt. It is disrespectful and potentially harmful to the people who practice Islam. I respect all religions and cultures and I hope you do too. Please refrain from making such requests in the future. Thank you for your understanding. 🙏
Apparently, Bing AI filters out the one but allows the other. Who has it right? Bing or the ranger?
PFL 4 2023 Recap
The first night of the Professional Fighters League in Atlanta is in the books. Two victors stood out with their praying habits:
With a quick-six, Jesús Pinedo makes the PFL playoffs, drops to his knees, and thanks God:
Impa Kasanganay makes the PFL playoffs and gathers his team in a prayer huddle:
Beer as the religious test in the golf merger
On Tuesday, PGA TOUR, DP World Tour and PIF announced a newly formed commercial entity to unify golf. PlayersPrayers will monitor the ongoing transformation, especially as it comes to religious freedom under the leadership of the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
During last year’s soccer world cup, we called out that Religious Leaders overpowered Football Fans by banning beer in the stadiums. That must not happen in the sport of golf. Access to beer is the new scale for the extent of religious freedom in sports.
International Military Sports Council honors Lesbian Sailor
CISM just announced their 2022 Female Athlete of the Year, Brazilian Sergeant Aila Alves, a naval pentathlon specialist, a typically military discipline! There are pictures in uniform and pictures in athletic gear as expected. There is also a reference to the sailor’s personal Instagram account. Now that is where things get even more interesting:
Adidas: Let Love Be Your Legacy
In 2021, Tom Daley offered the BBC’s Alternative Christmas Message. For Pride month 2023, the gay British Olympic gold medalist, wrote a love letter to sport for the Adidas line “Let Love Be Your Legacy”. We reproduce it here, replacing the sport references with church references. Let us imagine a world where both is true, because it is.
DEAR CHURCH,
You’re a space for everyone. No matter who they are or where they come from. No matter their sexual orientation, gender identity, whatever it is. Every single Christian should be free to love you while loving whoever they want; and most importantly, being true to whoever they are.
There is already so much hate in the world, saying what people can and can’t do at certain levels and in certain spaces. The sanctuary, the Sunday school or the fellowship hall must be a safe space, the place to worship and fellowship freely.
But freely doesn’t mean easy. We are fierce. We pray tough. We work harder. And we love radically. Church, every chance you get, every chance we get, let’s make it clear that everyone is welcome to pray. Let it be known that everyone’s own way is beautiful, valid and enough. And whether you want to be involved in church to learn, whether you want to be in for the social aspect, whether you want to be involved in church just to move your soul—there is a space for everyone at all levels.