Sports and religion

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else cringe at blatant evangelism in sports?

Prayer circles, coaches proselytizing, etc?

It’s at all levels — youth, college, pro.

I get praying for the safety of participants but why do these people thing God cares about sports, much less has a preference for a victor? Specifically, why do some winners insinuate that God helped them win?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else cringe at blatant evangelism in sports?

Prayer circles, coaches proselytizing, etc?

It’s at all levels — youth, college, pro.

I get praying for the safety of participants but why do these people thing God cares about sports, much less has a preference for a victor? Specifically, why do some winners insinuate that God helped them win?

It makes some people feel good -- has a calming effect, perhaps, but I'd think that truly religious people understand that God is not going to make them win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else cringe at blatant evangelism in sports?

Prayer circles, coaches proselytizing, etc?

It’s at all levels — youth, college, pro.

I get praying for the safety of participants but why do these people thing God cares about sports, much less has a preference for a victor? Specifically, why do some winners insinuate that God helped them win?

It makes some people feel good -- has a calming effect, perhaps, but I'd think that truly religious people understand that God is not going to make them win.

So it’s performative, then? I suppose that fits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else cringe at blatant evangelism in sports?

Prayer circles, coaches proselytizing, etc?

It’s at all levels — youth, college, pro.

I get praying for the safety of participants but why do these people thing God cares about sports, much less has a preference for a victor? Specifically, why do some winners insinuate that God helped them win?

don't know -- maybe they're really dumb. or think that God cares about sports, or like to think they are so special that God would bless them with a win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else cringe at blatant evangelism in sports?

Prayer circles, coaches proselytizing, etc?

It’s at all levels — youth, college, pro.

I get praying for the safety of participants but why do these people thing God cares about sports, much less has a preference for a victor? Specifically, why do some winners insinuate that God helped them win?

You "cringe" at this, OP? What an odd choice of words. Are you always so fragile?

I think it's great and has a positive influence on younger kits/ players.

If you've never been to Faith Night at Nats Park, you should do so one year. It's very uplifting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else cringe at blatant evangelism in sports?

Prayer circles, coaches proselytizing, etc?

It’s at all levels — youth, college, pro.

I get praying for the safety of participants but why do these people thing God cares about sports, much less has a preference for a victor? Specifically, why do some winners insinuate that God helped them win?

don't know -- maybe they're really dumb. or think that God cares about sports, or like to think they are so special that God would bless them with a win.

Or maybe they're thinking more broadly, and realize that everything in their lives ultimately comes from God. Not that God is actively causing a particular baseball to clear the outfield fence or a particular free throw to fall through the net, but that everything is part of God's creation and comes as a blessing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else cringe at blatant evangelism in sports?

Prayer circles, coaches proselytizing, etc?

It’s at all levels — youth, college, pro.

I get praying for the safety of participants but why do these people thing God cares about sports, much less has a preference for a victor? Specifically, why do some winners insinuate that God helped them win?

You "cringe" at this, OP? What an odd choice of words. Are you always so fragile?

I think it's great and has a positive influence on younger kits/ players.

If you've never been to Faith Night at Nats Park, you should do so one year. It's very uplifting.

Kind of like Pride night?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else cringe at blatant evangelism in sports?

Prayer circles, coaches proselytizing, etc?

It’s at all levels — youth, college, pro.

I get praying for the safety of participants but why do these people thing God cares about sports, much less has a preference for a victor? Specifically, why do some winners insinuate that God helped them win?

You "cringe" at this, OP? What an odd choice of words. Are you always so fragile?

I think it's great and has a positive influence on younger kits/ players.

If you've never been to Faith Night at Nats Park, you should do so one year. It's very uplifting.

Kind of like Pride night?

No, not at all. Faith Night takes place after the game. If you're not there for it, you'd never know it's happening. You can't miss "pride" night, if your life depeneded on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else cringe at blatant evangelism in sports?

Prayer circles, coaches proselytizing, etc?

It’s at all levels — youth, college, pro.

I get praying for the safety of participants but why do these people thing God cares about sports, much less has a preference for a victor? Specifically, why do some winners insinuate that God helped them win?

don't know -- maybe they're really dumb. or think that God cares about sports, or like to think they are so special that God would bless them with a win.

Or maybe they're thinking more broadly, and realize that everything in their lives ultimately comes from God. Not that God is actively causing a particular baseball to clear the outfield fence or a particular free throw to fall through the net, but that everything is part of God's creation and comes as a blessing.

Unless it's a religious team, there could be non-believing students playing who don't feel that anything in their life comes from God and are bothered by the prayer instead of being uplifted. I guess they could just close their ears during the prayer. Non-religious people disregard public religious displays a lot already.

[Anonymous]

I don't get it myself, OP. But then again, I'm Christian but not into sports so maybe that makes the difference.
It's their intent that matters. I can't read into their hearts, but there is always a danger of it becoming performative.


“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:1

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:5-6

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get it myself, OP. But then again, I'm Christian but not into sports so maybe that makes the difference.
It's their intent that matters. I can't read into their hearts, but there is always a danger of it becoming performative.


“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:1

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:5-6

Is there nothing in the Bible that's positive about praying in public? If not, I'm surprised god-fearing sports teams do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get it myself, OP. But then again, I'm Christian but not into sports so maybe that makes the difference.
It's their intent that matters. I can't read into their hearts, but there is always a danger of it becoming performative.


“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:1

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:5-6

Is there nothing in the Bible that's positive about praying in public? If not, I'm surprised god-fearing sports teams do it.

I'm not sure it's anti-praying in public, but that the motivation should not be for show. For me that would include being sensitive to those who are not Christian regardless of whether non-Christians in other instances are sensitive to Christians (some might feel like tit for tat is okay. It's not, for me.)

[Anonymous]

September 29, 2022

More people approve than disapprove of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling to allow a public high school football coach to pray on the field. More than 6 in 10 think a coach leading a team in prayer, a player leading a team in prayer, or a coach praying on the field without asking the team to join in should all be allowed at public high school sporting events.

Few Americans are concerned that the Supreme Court ruling will make students feel pressure to participate in prayer or make students feel less welcome participating in high school sports. Most do not think the court’s ruling will lead to other public school officials praying with students during school hours. And just 30% of the public feels that religion has too much influence on what children are taught in school.

When it comes to professional sports, more people approve than disapprove of professional athletes praying on the field or expressing their faith publicly. Forty-five percent approve of professional athletes wearing religious symbols while on the field. However, only 30% approve of professional athletes kneeling during the national anthem.

https://apnorc.org/projects/the-publics-opinion-on-religion-in-sports/

Proselytizing means forcing people to be religious. The coaches aren’t proselytizing when they are praying and expressing their religious beliefs. Prayers in public are not proselytizing.

Proselytism is attempting to convert people's religious or political beliefs.

If you look up the verb “proselytism” in most dictionaries, you’ll find it defined as any effort to persuade a person to give up one point of view in favor of another. Atheists and anti-theists constantly proselytize in this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:September 29, 2022

More people approve than disapprove of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling to allow a public high school football coach to pray on the field. More than 6 in 10 think a coach leading a team in prayer, a player leading a team in prayer, or a coach praying on the field without asking the team to join in should all be allowed at public high school sporting events.

Few Americans are concerned that the Supreme Court ruling will make students feel pressure to participate in prayer or make students feel less welcome participating in high school sports. Most do not think the court’s ruling will lead to other public school officials praying with students during school hours. And just 30% of the public feels that religion has too much influence on what children are taught in school.

When it comes to professional sports, more people approve than disapprove of professional athletes praying on the field or expressing their faith publicly. Forty-five percent approve of professional athletes wearing religious symbols while on the field. However, only 30% approve of professional athletes kneeling during the national anthem.

https://apnorc.org/projects/the-publics-opinion-on-religion-in-sports/

Proselytizing means forcing people to be religious. The coaches aren’t proselytizing when they are praying and expressing their religious beliefs. Prayers in public are not proselytizing.

Proselytism is attempting to convert people's religious or political beliefs.

If you look up the verb “proselytism” in most dictionaries, you’ll find it defined as any effort to persuade a person to give up one point of view in favor of another. Atheists and anti-theists constantly proselytize in this forum.

Yea! Fall back onto the the Supreme Court. Way to prove your point. /s

That you're quoting a poll of what Americans think (by the way, i know too much about polls to take that at face value) doesn't mean that Christians should do do in this instance. Isn't the Bible the higher authority? What is purely legal, may not be what is the best treatment a Christian should offer their neighbors' children.

[Anonymous]

*do so