Public schools are not allowed to teach religion to their students. Government cannot involve religion in any of their day to day activities. The laws of this country cannot be based on religious beliefs. It is the foundation of this country to separate religion from our schools, our government, and our law. The separation of church and state is a foundation of this country.
Freedom of religion is also a foundation of our country. People have the right to worship their god and practice any form of religion they choose. Whether it’s Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, or even L. Ron Hubbard, our country gives its citizens the right to have any faith that gives them comfort.
Last month I was watching the Heisman trophy presentation and I was impressed when Tim Tebow approached the podium to give his acceptance speech without a piece of paper. I have spoken in front of large crowds before and never have I been able to complete the task without notes in front of me. I was on the edge of my seat to hear what this young man had to say. Then the words came out….those words spoken so often in sport….. “I just want to thank God.” Those words got me to thinking.
Why do athletes have to thank God for everything? What number does our lord and savior Jesus Christ wear? When was the last time God threw a block? When was last time Jesus Christ made a game winning field goal?
I am a sports dude and as a sports dude I watch sports for entertainment. I appreciate the talent that is put forth in competition. I like to hear what athletes and coaches have to say after they perform at their highest level. But anymore it seems like all athletes and coaches have to say after a game is that they performed to their highest power. I don’t care to hear that God is responsible for a 400 yard passing performance or that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was a part of the game winning play.
I have two arguments to support my position. One….Sport is a billion dollar industry and it is taxed heavily. Religion is a billion dollar industry and is tax exempt. Until all sport gets a free pass on those taxes I feel that religion has no place in it. Two….The federal government has indicted Barry Bonds. The Mitchell Report, put forth by a U.S. Senator, has tainted the reputation of 90 baseball players. Government can reach into sports whenever it deems necessary. Therefore I feel there is a need to call for a separation of church and sport.
Counter arguments to my view would be freedom of religion and freedom of speech. While valid arguments that support the freedom of athletes to thank whatever higher power they wish after a big win or a championship we can pose the question to Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettitte….. “Where was God on that one?”
As an atheist, I would not be saddened at all if religion was to just disappear overnight.
However, the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. and the teams that make them up are all privately owned businesses; therefore, they set their own rules in regards to speech. For instance, if you work at Burger King, they could enforce a rule that prevents you from saying "McDonald's" (and if you did, you'd be fired) if they wanted to.
In the same vein, teams can set rules regarding the practice of religion. The Colorado Rockies, for example, are a devoutly Christian franchise and make it a point to go after similarly devout Christian ballplayers (that may be discrimination, but that's for another discussion).
THANK YOU! THIS IS WHAT WE NEED IN THIS COUNTRY. I hate people forcing their religions on me, but then saying I can leave, when it is a public place and all people have the right to be there. If a player does bad, was god there on that one? Nice post.
"Government cannot involve religion in any of their day to day activities. The laws of this country cannot be based on religious beliefs"
That would be big news to James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and a whole lot of other bright folks who founded this country and wrote the Constitution, among other things. Prohibiting the "establishment of religion" meant that the government was prohibited from establishing a State Church and using the power of the State to compel attendance, as was common practice in Europe at the time. However, the founders (as demonstrated amply in their writings) well understood that an amoral society would rapidly descend into chaos, for which the inevitable solution would be tyranny. It is too bad that too many of our citizens today have absolutely no clue about that, something this blog amply demonstrates.
In Crash Davis style, I would say, "You have to respect the streak. If you believe God is why you are doing well, then He is. If you think you hit four homeruns today becuase you didn't wash your jock, then that is the reason." Athletes are very superstitious people. No, I'm not saying that God is a superstition, actually I am a believer and have only one problem with the athletes thanking God for their accomplishments. Here is my issue: If I thank God for helping my kick a game winning field goal, that means that God was on my side, not my oponnents. Why would He choose sides?
Did you know that the United States Congress has a Chaplain? Did you know that every session of Congress is opened with a prayer? Finally, did you know that the laws of this land are based on Judeo-Christian beliefs?
I don't claim to be a religious person, but people who are have every right to be in this great country of ours.
You speak of the foundations of our country, the freedom of religion is the bedrock the foundation is built upon...
That would explain all the Bible verses carved into the historic government buildings in D.C.
Dwindy is right. Approximately, 90% of our founding fathers were Christian. They knew they couldn't force their religion on others so they chose to separate church and state. I'd be willing to bet they didn't foresee the way people would go overboard in the future.
Dwindy has a good point. Around 90% of our founding fathers were Christian and believed that Christian morals should be taught in the schools so that we would not have chaos and anarchy. Look at our historic government buildings. They are covered with Bible verses. It's a shame how far we have gone with the separation of church and state, much less sports.
As for this post. I don't figure you want to get too serious and end up in a holy war. So, getting back to athletes, I think it is nice that people who have been blessed with unnatural talent realize that blessing and don't come off sounding like egocentric ####.
To clarify re: some of the above comments, this country wasn't founded on Christian principles and most of our founding fathers weren't Christian -- they were deists, and a surprisingly good number of our founding fathers were atheist or agnostic, too.
And Dudski, freedom from religion and freedom of religion are two sides of the same coin. Read this article.
However, the founders (as demonstrated amply in their writings) well understood that an amoral society would rapidly descend into chaos
GoPurple, are you saying that those who don't believe in God (more specifically, your God) are amoral?
Oy vay. I'm sorry, but this entry looked like "A butterfly flaps its wings, and causes a tornado in Oklahoma (at least something in that state has speed, haha)." Tim Tebow, a college football player, thanks God. College football is a sport. Baseball is a sport. A baseball player was indicted by the government for perjury. Ergo, The government has established a religion????
Just as a comment PSD, Evangelical christians believe outwardly commiting to their lord and savior saves them. Every questionable personality who has ever even stolen a candy bar believes if they speak the words of thanks to God then all is well and a place in heaven awaits. Its a convienence that they believe keeps 'em on the good side of God. Realists, Atheists, and Federal Judges think otherwise.
