Elam: A Novel Idea.

[Garcia Bronco]

http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=83136

LOL.

ENGLEWOOD (AP) - Broncos kicker Jason Elam can handle pressure-packed field goals without even a hint of nerves.


Composing himself to read the review of his first novel was a different story. Elam was jittery and tense.

"I put on a thick skin thinking people would rip it apart," Elam said with a laugh.

The 37-year-old kicker's first foray into the world of literary fiction has drawn positive reviews. Elam and Denver pastor Steve Yohn's first novel, "Monday Night Jihad," hit bookstores last week. The suspense thriller combines football, religion and a spy adventure in which the hero tries to thwart a terrorist plot.

So far, the reviews have been glowing:

-- "A chilling ride through a nightmare scenario," said Joel C. Rosenberg, author of the best-selling "The Last Jihad."

-- "Rich details about life as an NFL player invigorate the story," Publishers Weekly wrote.

-- "I found 'Monday Night Jihad' to be not only interesting, but very thought-provoking," Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said.

[Northman]

Interesting.

[telluride]

Sure to go over big with Hamza and Harris.

[theAPAOps5]

Sure to go over big with Hamza and Harris.

Can count on you to find the negative in everything! Its amazing really,

[epicSocialism4tw]

Gotta love Elam.

Not only is he one of the top couple of kickers in league history with his entire career spent with my fave franchise, but he is also an imaginative fiction writer.

Pretty cool.

[theAPAOps5]

Gotta love Elam.

Not only is he one of the top couple of kickers in league history with his entire career spent with my fave franchise, but he is also an imaginative fiction writer.

Pretty cool.

And a damn good pilot he owns a Beaver. His contract has it written he can't fly during the season but he was always flying during the summer.

[Mountain Bronco]

Are you a racist telluride? And why did you name yourself after a town?

[That One Guy]

Are you a racist telluride? And why did you name yourself after a town?

Not racist, just retarded.

[theAPAOps5]

Are you a racist telluride? And why did you name yourself after a town?

Telluride the town is such an awesome town. Great people great scenery, great fun.

Telluride the poster is more like Greeley. Its kind of barren, gray, and everything that comes out of that town smells and sounds like crap.

[telluride]

Yes, I'm certain that a book written by a rabid evangelical Christian depicting hordes of scary brown Muslims seeking to destroy America will only have a positive effect in the locker room among his non-Christian teammates. In fact, Elam's particular strain of religiosity seems especially enlightened and welcoming! Just listen:

My desire in writing this book was—and still is—to contrast the more radical elements of Islam with what I view as true Christianity. Many have attempted to distort the Jesus of the Bible, and so my hope and prayer is to honor the real Jesus. Second Corinthians 11:4 speaks of people who preach about a Jesus who is “different” from the true Son of God. My hope is that through this story each reader sees Jesus Christ for who He is—the eternal God who created all things. He is the God-man who took on human form to bring us hope. He is the one who allowed Himself to be the perfect sacrifice for us all. He is the one who suffered a brutal death on a Roman cross. He is the one who physically rose up from the grave. He is the one who now indwells all believers. He is the one who will return to take those who believe in Him to be with Him for all eternity. It is to this Jesus that I dedicate this book.

[tsiguy96]

Yes, I'm certain that a book written by a rapid evangelical Christian depicting hordes of scary brown Muslims seeking to destroy America will only have a positive effect in the locker room among his non-Christian teammates. In fact, Elam's particular strain of religiosity seems especially enlightened and welcoming! Just listen:


and i used to like elam. wow.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Yes, I'm certain that a book written by a rapid evangelical Christian depicting hordes of scary brown Muslims seeking to destroy America will only have a positive effect in the locker room among his non-Christian teammates. In fact, Elam's particular strain of religiosity seems especially enlightened and welcoming! Just listen:

Elam rules.

[theAPAOps5]

So Telluride you apparently read this book as you are speaking with "knowledge" of said book? There really are hordes of Muslim faith just running amock around the superbowl?

If thats the case then damn I really don't like Elam. But since you haven't read the book and are just assuming and taking your usual negative outlook I will side with Elam.

As with all religions there are the extremes and I am sure he depicted terrorists who waged a Jihad. Which is a holy war, just as Christians commited "terror" with the Crusades and the Inqusistion. He was depicting the few not the total.

I can't speak for Elam like you obviously can so I am not going to assume his intent. But am not also going to pretty much label him a racist and bigot against the muslims on his team based on a book. But hey thats just me.

He says he wants to show the true meaning of Jesus Christ. Thats his intent and he did it in a way that was creative, attention grabbing, and best suited to his talents. Its our choice to read it or not. The beauty of it is anyone can do that in America with whatever religion they want. Its their right. Sometimes those rights are trod on but I am willing to bet that compared to other parts of the world our rules are pretty leinient. Now if he went on a rant about the muslim faith in this book and labeled all Muslims as bad and terrorists you would have a point. I don't know that so I am not going to assume as thats your arena.

[TDmvp]

Telluride ... moron .... next ...

[telluride]

Well, Apa, enjoy an extended quote depicting a pair of Elam's very fairly drawn Muslim characters:

“Feel the weight of it, Nephew. Imagine what this could do to
a person’s body. For centuries, the West and the Jews have tried to
keep our people from worshiping Allah, the true God. You’ve learned
about the Crusades in school, haven’t you?”

Hakeem quickly nodded as he slipped the chain over his head. The
cartridge was still warm from being kept against his uncle’s chest.
“You know I’m not a very religious man, Hakeem, but I can read
the times. Soon, because of their hatred of Allah, the Great Satan will
come to try to destroy our country. But we don’t fear, because Saddam
will defend us. The mighty Republican Guard will defend us. Allah
will defend us. And someday, our great leader may call on you to pick
up a gun for him and fight against the West and defend his honor.
Could you do it? Will you be ready, little Hakeem?”

Even now, as he fingered the long, narrow brass bullet hanging
around his neck, thinking about how Uncle Ali’s prophecy about the
Great Satan coming to their land had been fulfilled only two weeks
later, his own answer repeated itself in his mind. I will be ready, Uncle
Ali. I will fight for our leader. I will fight for our honor. I will fight the Great
Satan! Allahu akbar!

[theAPAOps5]

You missed my point. He is depicting the few outliers not the total.

[telluride]

You missed my point. He is depicting the few outliers not the total.

Of course not! Had he been slurring an entire faith he would have used an incendiary and divisive word like "jihad" in his book's title.

Oh wait.

[theAPAOps5]

Yeah thats what he is doing! Man you are an ass.

[rugbythug]

Of course not! Had he been slurring an entire faith he would have used an incendiary and divisive word like "jihad" in his book's title.

Oh wait.

You are so right. There is no attempt by Radical Muslims to kill christians, Jews, and all other religions. This is a scheme cooked up by the christian Right. And should definetly not have a work of fiction written about it. I mean if it were true. Muslims might riot over a cartoon, or kill a director over a movie, or riot in the streets over the naming of a bear. Or Kill School kids in Russia, or Rape and Kill Women in Darfur, or ...

But lets not talk about it because that is a scheme of the Christian Right to taint the political speach and cause unrest.

[TDmvp]

You are so right. There is no attempt by Radical Muslims to kill christians, Jews, and all other religions. This is a scheme cooked up by the christian Right. And should definetly not have a work of fiction written about it. I mean if it were true. Muslims might riot over a cartoon, or kill a director over a movie, or riot in the streets over the naming of a bear. Or Kill School kids in Russia, or Rape and Kill Women in Darfur, or ...

But lets not talk about it because that is a scheme of the Christian Right to taint the political speach and cause unrest.

rep

[Spider]

I wont be buying the book ....

[smalltowngrll]

Of course not! Had he been slurring an entire faith he would have used an incendiary and divisive word like "jihad" in his book's title.

Oh wait.

When the light shines, the cockroaches run for the dark!

[telluride]

You are so right. There is no attempt by Radical Muslims to kill christians, Jews, and all other religions. This is a scheme cooked up by the christian Right. And should definetly not have a work of fiction written about it. I mean if it were true. Muslims might riot over a cartoon, or kill a director over a movie, or riot in the streets over the naming of a bear. Or Kill School kids in Russia, or Rape and Kill Women in Darfur, or ...

But lets not talk about it because that is a scheme of the Christian Right to taint the political speach and cause unrest.

Yes, we need the noted scholar and theologian Jason Elam to help place all this global unrest into the proper geopolitical context. A radical Christian throwing stones at radical Muslims -- but all for the greater good, of course.

No doubt his teammates will welcome the opportunity to have the righteous Mr. Elam preach the true word at them. Because nothing goes down better within a locker room -- or among any collection of co-workers -- then politics and extreme religion.

[Beantown Bronco]

Yes, we need the noted scholar and theologian Jason Elam to help place all this global unrest into the proper geopolitical context. A radical Christian throwing stones at radical Muslims -- but all for the greater good, of course.

No doubt his teammates will welcome the opportunity to have the righteous Mr. Elam preach the true word at them. Because nothing goes down better within a locker room -- or among any collection of co-workers -- then politics and extreme religion.

It appears the concept of "fictional work" has never been explained to you.

[Spider]

Yes, we need the noted scholar and theologian Jason Elam to help place all this global unrest into the proper geopolitical context. A radical Christian throwing stones at radical Muslims -- but all for the greater good, of course.

No doubt his teammates will welcome the opportunity to have the righteous Mr. Elam preach the true word at them. Because nothing goes down better within a locker room -- or among any collection of co-workers -- then politics and extreme religion.
Pretty much sums it up ......... there is a reason I never took my Family ot the middle east for vacation , even before 9-11 ......... to read some people posting here , terrorism is something new ......

[rugbythug]

Yes, we need the noted scholar and theologian Jason Elam to help place all this global unrest into the proper geopolitical context. A radical Christian throwing stones at radical Muslims -- but all for the greater good, of course.

No doubt his teammates will welcome the opportunity to have the righteous Mr. Elam preach the true word at them. Because nothing goes down better within a locker room -- or among any collection of co-workers -- then politics and extreme religion.

Yes that book writing radical. That is probably been what has torn this team apart for the last 13 years. That Radical Mr. Elam. Who has the gall to actual stand up for what he believes. Instead he should slink and hide be a secret christian. So that no one is bothered by any other outlook.

And lets not let those Radical Christians get out of hand. I mean there was the Crusades for Gods Sake. Spare the world from the christian! The Evil religion who preaches love thy brother as thy self. STOP THEM ALL!!!

[Spider]

Yes that book writing radical. That is probably been what has torn this team apart for the last 13 years. That Radical Mr. Elam. Who has the gall to actual stand up for what he believes. Instead he should slink and hide be a secret christian. So that no one is bothered by any other outlook.

And lets not let those Radical Christians get out of hand. I mean there was the Crusades for Gods Sake. Spare the world from the christian! The Evil religion who preaches love thy brother as thy self. STOP THEM ALL!!!

Religion is like booze .... best used in moderation

[smalltowngrll]

Yes, we need the noted scholar and theologian Jason Elam to help place all this global unrest into the proper geopolitical context. A radical Christian throwing stones at radical Muslims -- but all for the greater good, of course.

No doubt his teammates will welcome the opportunity to have the righteous Mr. Elam preach the true word at them. Because nothing goes down better within a locker room -- or among any collection of co-workers -- then politics and extreme religion.

hahaha, you know, just because someone states their faith doesn't mean they are shoving it down their throat. You CHOSE to read about his book. Noone made you. What harm is it to you? Do you think he shoves it down his teammates throats and they are forced to listen to what he believes? Are you not also free to believe whatever you want? Shouldn't the rest of the world be free to believe what they want? Wow, you are in serious contradiction of what you so proclaim!

[Inkana7]

Religion is like booze .... best used in moderation

Religion is the opium of the masses.

[Jana®]

I'll read it. I admire Elam for writing the book and not hiding his faith just because he's a public figure.

[halfcreek]

Yes that book writing radical. That is probably been what has torn this team apart for the last 13 years. That Radical Mr. Elam. Who has the gall to actual stand up for what he believes. Instead he should slink and hide be a secret christian. So that no one is bothered by any other outlook.

And lets not let those Radical Christians get out of hand. I mean there was the Crusades for Gods Sake. Spare the world from the christian! The Evil religion who preaches love thy brother as thy self. STOP THEM ALL!!!

And if they don't want to be loved, then bomb them to Kingdom Come?!?!?!

Preaching and actions are often not congruent.

[Spider]

I'll read it. I admire Elam for writing the book and not hiding his faith just because he's a public figure.

Jim Jones didnt hide his faith either ....... err wait ;D

[Jana®]

hahaha, you know, just because someone states their faith doesn't mean they are shoving it down their throat. You CHOSE to read about his book. Noone made you. What harm is it to you? Do you think he shoves it down his teammates throats and they are forced to listen to what he believes? Are you not also free to believe whatever you want? Shouldn't the rest of the world be free to believe what they want? Wow, you are in serious contradiction of what you so proclaim!

^5

[Atlas]

If Elam wrote a book about innocent Iraqis being slaughtered and tortured by imperialistic American soldiers what would everyone's reaction be? Afterall it's just fiction.

[Spider]

If Elam wrote a book about innocent Iraqis being slaughtered and tortured by imperialistic American soldiers what would everyone's reaction be? Afterall it's just fiction.

The same with me , Pandering is pandering despite what side does it

[telluride]

hahaha, you know, just because someone states their faith doesn't mean they are shoving it down their throat. You CHOSE to read about his book. Noone made you. What harm is it to you? Do you think he shoves it down his teammates throats and they are forced to listen to what he believes? Are you not also free to believe whatever you want? Shouldn't the rest of the world be free to believe what they want? Wow, you are in serious contradiction of what you so proclaim!

Have you ever known an Evangelical Christian to not proselytize? It's what they do -- the entirety of their religion. Elam wrote the book to preach and outreach, as he himself has stated. And therein lies the problem. In Elam's worldview, his god > than your god. I guarantee you that he's sidling up to teammates and insinuating as much, either overtly or covertly. To fail to do so is to fail his faith, or so goes the argument among evangelicals. There's nothing wrong with Elam believing in whatever he wants to believe in. He could worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster for all I care. It might be preferable, actually -- he could then write a novel about how all the evil Jews and Christians are waging jihad against the poor Flying Spaghetti Monsterians.

[Orange_Beard]

This book should "Kick" ass an be very accurate.

[broncocalijohn]

If Elam wrote a book about innocent Iraqis being slaughtered and tortured by imperialistic American soldiers what would everyone's reaction be? Afterall it's just fiction.

you really think that would sell books here? Maybe Elam should have chosen something more current as a villian like those Japs or Krauts. Maybe the USSR is planting an assault. Come on people. It needs to be believable and Radical Islam is what is considered our villian. I love the movie Red Dawn but it shows its age by the villians as Russians (and Cubans but come on, they couldnt do anything w/o the Ruskies). Maybe in 30 years we will have movies and novels on the evil Canucks of Canada. Chill out Tellerude. He is using what we should all be afraid of and that is RADICAL Islamies.

[rugbythug]

And if they don't want to be loved, then bomb them to Kingdom Come?!?!?!

Preaching and actions are often not congruent.

It was tounge in cheek. Although even if someone does not want to be loved does not mean you should not love them.

[Spider]

you really think that would sell books here? Maybe Elam should have chosen something more current as a villian like those Japs or Krauts. Maybe the USSR is planting an assault. Come on people. It needs to be believable and Radical Islam is what is considered our villian. I love the movie Red Dawn but it shows its age by the villians as Russians (and Cubans but come on, they couldnt do anything w/o the Ruskies). Maybe in 30 years we will have movies and novels on the evil Canucks of Canada. Chill out Tellerude. He is using what we should all be afraid of and that is RADICAL Islamies.

sniff , sniff ......... Christian, so persicuted .....shunned into the darkness ..such a heavy cross ......

[rugbythug]

If Elam wrote a book about innocent Iraqis being slaughtered and tortured by imperialistic American soldiers what would everyone's reaction be? Afterall it's just fiction.

Do you know any soldiers like that? What are the kind of people that you know who are in the army?

[rugbythug]

sniff , sniff ......... Christian, so persicuted .....shunned into the darkness ..such a heavy cross ......

Where are you getting this stuff from? I mean really who had the poor me thing going??

[Blueflame]

you really think that would sell books here? Maybe Elam should have chosen something more current as a villian like those Japs or Krauts. Maybe the USSR is planting an assault. Come on people. It needs to be believable and Radical Islam is what is considered our villian. I love the movie Red Dawn but it shows its age by the villians as Russians (and Cubans but come on, they couldnt do anything w/o the Ruskies). Maybe in 30 years we will have movies and novels on the evil Canucks of Canada. Chill out Tellerude. He is using what we should all be afraid of and that is RADICAL Islamies.

IMO, the biggest real threat right now is China... there's more news all the time of dangerous products imported from there, like tainted pet foods and lead paint on toys. Many American jobs have been outsourced there and we now have a huge trade imbalance with them. Also, they have a large enough military presence to do a lot more damage than any Islamic nation...oh, and they have nuclear weapons, too.

[Hogan11]

I'll read it. I admire Elam for writing the book and not hiding his faith just because he's a public figure.

I won't read it because I'm not into religion at all. I also admire him for writing a book but wish more public figures would keep religion a private matter.

[theAPAOps5]

I won't read it because I'm not into religion at all. I also admire him for writing a book but wish more public figures would keep religion a private matter.

I agree with you 100% Won't condemn him but won't read it either. What I believe is what I believe nothing more.

[halfcreek]

It was tounge in cheek. Although even if someone does not want to be loved does not mean you should not love them.

Precisely my point. Instead of loving them, throughout history millions have been murdered in the name of Christianity.

[theAPAOps5]

I am pretty sure that one day mankind will look back and cringe at the things we have done in the name of religion. Its one of our greatest flaws as a species and being.

[Atlas]

Do you know any soldiers like that? What are the kind of people that you know who are in the army?

What difference does it make who I know. Were talking about fiction right? Just a story right?

Not that it matters but I did see an Army sergent run off a Taxi that was trying to pass him killing a 2 year old boy. It was ruled justified of course.

[broncocalijohn]

IMO, the biggest real threat right now is China... there's more news all the time of dangerous products imported from there, like tainted pet foods and lead paint on toys. Many American jobs have been outsourced there and we now have a huge trade imbalance with them. Also, they have a large enough military presence to do a lot more damage than any Islamic nation...oh, and they have nuclear weapons, too.

China didnt kill over 3200 in one day for Allah. China is "killing" us an other means. Outsourcing isnt some evil conspiracy as we let them do it every day. The threat of our lives, not livelyhood is the difference here. If Elam makes a thriller with a touch of religion in it, who cares. How many liberals liked the movie i mentioned, Red Dawn, but not know it had the backing of 2nd amendment backers as what would happen to people if they catagorized their guns and they fell into the wrong hands (our government or Russians). This book might be a great read and if anyone here didnt know his angle, might not have cared or noticed it directly. I didnt see Pastor Warren as one of the reviewers. Personally, I wont read it because I like to wait for the $60 million thriller to hit the big screen. Hollywood does a better job at imagining items than my brain does. They get better looking people to play the roles than what I think they should look like. Worth the $8.

[Blueflame]

China didnt kill over 3200 in one day for Allah. China is "killing" us an other means. Outsourcing isnt some evil conspiracy as we let them do it every day. The threat of our lives, not livelyhood is the difference here. If Elam makes a thriller with a touch of religion in it, who cares. How many liberals liked the movie i mentioned, Red Dawn, but not know it had the backing of 2nd amendment backers as what would happen to people if they catagorized their guns and they fell into the wrong hands (our government or Russians). This book might be a great read and if anyone here didnt know his angle, might not have cared or noticed it directly. I didnt see Pastor Warren as one of the reviewers. Personally, I wont read it because I like to wait for the $60 million thriller to hit the big screen. Hollywood does a better job at imagining items than my brain does. They get better looking people to play the roles than what I think they should look like. Worth the $8.

China certainly has the capability to kill way more than 3200, though...if they chose to do so.

As to Red Dawn, like Jason's book, it's a work of fiction... and therefore, intended to be regarded as entertainment; nothing more. It would be difficult to miss the pro-2nd-Amendment slant... and it was entertaining, if (now) "dated" due to the "enemy" faced.

Reading the book might be something I'd do... after waiting to read some reviews first, then maybe check it out at the library if it seems like something I'd enjoy.

[Requiem]

Here's a novel idea Jason. Steal Mason Crosby's leg, kick beyond 50 again. Thanks!

[SouthStndJunkie]

Geez people....it's just a damn fiction book.

BTW.....it sounds like he writes to display all points of view:

So what is Monday Night Jihad?

"What I was hoping to do, and think I pulled off, was contrast Christianity with radical Islam and moderate Islam," Elam said.

And he purposely avoids demonizing anybody.

"If Osama bin Laden himself were to pick up this book and read it, I'd want him to say, 'Yeah, that's why I do what I do. That's how I justify, how I reconcile, that's what I believe.'

"I'm really trying to take people into the mind of this person as best I could and really show the why; not just what they believe, but the why."

[telluride]

Here's a novel idea Jason. Steal Mason Crosby's leg, kick beyond 50 again. Thanks!

Ha!

[fontaine]

As if anyone in the locker room really gives a damn about what Elam thinks or listens to him or even should.

He's just a kicker!

[Beantown Bronco]

I have a hard time criticizing Elam for anything right about now. The guy has made millions kicking a football 2-4 times a game on average and is married to an ex Bronco cheerleader. :notworthy

[Spider]

Where are you getting this stuff from? I mean really who had the poor me thing going??

well you know Christians are .......

[missingnumber7]

I really would have an interesting reply, but the best comment for me is this belongs in a different thread now, not on the front page...to much politics/religion.

[wolf754life]

the point is elam should have waited until he was retired to release such a polarizing book with religious rhetoric, bad taste, bad judgement, he is a great guy, but got some bad advice on this one.

[Beantown Bronco]

the point is elam should have waited until he was retired to release such a polarizing book with religious rhetoric, bad taste, bad judgement, he is a great guy, but got some bad advice on this one.

There are murderers, drug addicts, habitual drunk drivers, dead beat dads, domestic abusers, etc. in all NFL locker rooms. If there is peace in the locker room with characters like that, then I hardly believe a fictional book that deals with religious radicals is going to be the thing that triggers chaos in the NFL. Please.

[smalltowngrll]

Have you ever known an Evangelical Christian to not proselytize? It's what they do -- the entirety of their religion. Elam wrote the book to preach and outreach, as he himself has stated. And therein lies the problem. In Elam's worldview, his god > than your god. I guarantee you that he's sidling up to teammates and insinuating as much, either overtly or covertly. To fail to do so is to fail his faith, or so goes the argument among evangelicals. There's nothing wrong with Elam believing in whatever he wants to believe in. He could worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster for all I care. It might be preferable, actually -- he could then write a novel about how all the evil Jews and Christians are waging jihad against the poor Flying Spaghetti Monsterians.

Yes, I have known many who do not. I've known many that will share when asked, but they do not go out and make you listen. Actually, there are quite a few of the Evangelical preachers who preach, but again, you have a choice to walk into their church! Last time I checked, this was a book he wrote and people have the option of picking it up and reading it or they can choose not to.

I doubt very much that Elam is walking up to his team mates and telling them that his God is better than theirs! He may believe that, but, again, it's HIS belief and HIS faith! Do you not have your own beliefs? In fact, the very statements you are making here are YOUR beliefs and you feel that YOUR beliefs are far superior to the rest of those here. So, again, you are doing the very thing you say that Elam is doing.

[theAPAOps5]

What she said:thumbs:

[wolf754life]

elam should be smarter, but he isn't, happy jihad everyone!