I figure this belongs in the D&D rather than the other sports forum. http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/artic...letes_with_faith_according_to_survey/12798205 Many fans believe God plays role in outcome of sporting events From NESN: This coming Sunday a new NFL champion will be crowned, and it will be either the Baltimore Ravens or the San Francisco 49ers. And, if you are one of more than a quarter of Americans, you believe that God will actively decide the winner of the game. According to a recent survey by the Public Religion Research Institute, 27 percent of Americans believe that God “plays a role in determining which team wins a sporting event.” However, the numbers get even more specific than that. About 40 percent of minority Christians and white evangelical Protestants believe God determines outcomes, while only 19 percent of mainline Protestants do. Thirty-six percent of Americans living in the South agree that God plays a role in sports. However, in perhaps a twist of expectations, 28 percent of Democrats agree, while only 25 percent of Republicans think that God plays a role. But in addition to God’s overall role in the outcome of games, a majority of all Americans — 53 percent — believe “God rewards athletes who have faith with good health and success.” So, that ought to work out well for Ray Lewis this Sunday.
I would only say: I sure hope not. It is a really screwed up universe if a higher power cares about human sporting events enough to influence them. SMGDH.
If this was true, communist Soviet Union, China, North Korea, East Germany, etc, would not have won a single gold medal. Athletes who gives praises to god after a sporting event feels that this is a virtuous act because it shows humility - they did not do it alone. Have they ever thought that there are millions of people in the world that are starving, oppressed, very little hope for the future, etc, who are also believers and yet the blessings are granted to them instead of the ones that really need it? What they are doing is equivalent to a commercial. They are endorsing a particular product (their faith) to a captive audience. There is also this narcsissistic element to think that you are somewhat more blessed than the other individuals in this world.
my dad earnestly believes that the team who has more people praying for them ALWAYS wins. no reasoning with that.
Absolutely not (not that I believe in god). ALWAYS been my pet peeve with athletes. It's such arrogance for them to claim after a game that their god somehow cared about the outcome of entertainment. Pretty sure a just god would want to tackle the whole starvation in Africa thing first.
I think the better question is whether prayer plays a role. That's something that is actually testable.
This is great news for the Vatican, since World Cup winners seem to heavily favor Catholic nations. Now we can rest, knowing well why.
May feel that God is big enough to do both generaly speaking If you hate religion and/or non religious: the answer will be No If you are religious: the answer will beYEs What's the debate? The is kind of a round about way of asking if you are religious Rocket River
He gives you His desires on your heart when you delight yourself in Him. So when He gives you the desires of your heart, He is really giving you His desires for you.
What kind of god not only has an opinion on the outcome of a sporting event, but actively intervenes in it's outcome?
maybe the outcome of said sporting event will have a greater, seemingly unrelated consequence than simply allowing that team to win. butterflies and hurricanes
No, God does not play a direct role in the outcome. However, those who believe in God and pray get comforted and play without fear, so in a way the belief in God helps them to perform better. God gives you strength but he doesn't mess with outcomes. Other people get their strength from the devil and that can be just as powerful.
