Does God Play A Role in Sports?

Just because the government of a country doesn't believe in God or allow worship doesn't mean the individual doesn't. My wife was born in the soviet union and when she was born her family snuck her into a secret church where they did something similar to getting baptized by the russian orthodox church. They would have been in big trouble had they got caught. This type of thing went on then and I'm sure it's going on now in China and North Korea.

 

God is the worst bandwagon fan in the universe.

 

Dear God,

Please rain hellfire and brimstone down upon the Ravens on Sunday and bless the Niners with your everlasting mercy and grace.

Amen

 

Just like anything, there are exemptions. Generally speaking, they are viewed as non religious. Now, if we have data that shows that only religious folks from those countries won, then that refutes my claim.

 

I'm not religious. But, the way I read the Bible I'd say of course God plays a role in the outcome of sporting events because he plays a role in everything -- if he existed. Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and all that. Not one sparrow will fall without the Father and the hairs on your head are numbered. You live on the proactive breath of God. It's saying God has a hand in all things. If you believe in the Bible, I think it's hard to justify the position that God doesn't care about the winners and losers of games -- and not just the Superbowl, but every game of Monopoly too.

I find it more problematic to think that the team with more Christians or more prayers or whatever would win. By that logic, Jesus' disciples probably wouldn't have all been stoned, crucified, or burned to death. Even if God works things for the best for those who love Him, that doesn't mean they'll have any health or wealth or success. It doesn't look to me like that is what the Bible teaches, and I don't think it's borne out in real-life either. It makes me shake my head that this health-and-wealth attitude got a higher percentage than predestined Superbowl victors.

Having said all that, I vote no.

 

"Yes, about SamFisher and KingCheetah you speak. Mmmm. Dark they are."

 

I haven't read the thread yet but I always loved Bll Maher's standup routine from a decade ago when he said:

So hilarious and true. It's a like a beauty pageant. Many of the contestants are praying they win, so how does that work? Does the best person out of all of them win? Same thing with sports, otherwise serious apparent a-holes like Vernon Maxwell would never win titles (yes we love that he helped win a title but it's pretty apparent) while Yao would have led a dynasty.

 

Rep'd, absolutely. We need to destroy Reliant Park, no team that's ever played there has ever won a title outside a two year stretch and even the Comets folded shortly after arriving.

 

I'mma have to agree with Foster's point of view.

http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/12/diverse-religious-and-spiritual-beliefs-coexist-in-the-texans-locker-room/

 

So...has God done both? Because I don't think the whole starvation thing is being solved.

 

I agree with Arian except that for the fact that African kid is still blessed though obviously it can be argued not as much as any of us here.

 

mental strength, possibly yes. And by strong mental strength, maybe activation of your body and release of adrenaline that increases performance?

 

Maybe God has a favorite sport. I'm guessing baseball because of the whole God Bless America seventh innning stretch.

 

Sporting events are often the most stressful or emotionally charged things middle-class Americans deal with that they can't control.

 

I think it's war and natural disasters, he's basically playing with house money.

 

^

Yeah, because life has to be fair.

 

I consider myself religious, and I believe the answer is no.