Football Vs Faith

RandyWayne · #1 09-07-2013, 01:19 PM

I didn't read the original Sports Illustrated article that THIS story is a rebuttal too, but the author nails it.

Football vs. faith -- can you love football and still be a good Christian?

Football season officially began this week. The most popular sport in America will once again headline sports pages, influence workplace conversations and impact family life.

Many Americans love their football and many love their faith.

For some, football is a religion, but for many more, football and their faith are perfect partners.

Some of the most famous and successful NFL players are men of strong Christian faith. Players like Aaron Rodgers, Robert Griffith III, Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, and of course, Tim Tebow, are all very devote Christians.

Are these two loves at odds?

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/...ood-christian/

shag · #2 09-07-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I didn't read the original Sports Illustrated article that THIS story is a rebuttal too, but the author nails it.

Football vs. faith -- can you love football and still be a good Christian?

Football season officially began this week. The most popular sport in America will once again headline sports pages, influence workplace conversations and impact family life.

Many Americans love their football and many love their faith.

For some, football is a religion, but for many more, football and their faith are perfect partners.

Some of the most famous and successful NFL players are men of strong Christian faith. Players like Aaron Rodgers, Robert Griffith III, Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, and of course, Tim Tebow, are all very devote Christians.

Are these two loves at odds?

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/...ood-christian/

Love our faith.
Only "like" the rest....sports, hunting(I esp. love, uhhh I mean like, duck hunting!)fishing, hiking etc., even if it is one's bread winning career...

"Do not love the world NOR the things in the world."
"Perfect partners"? Nah.

RandyWayne · #3 09-07-2013, 03:20 PM

I don't know if I love football rather than just really really like it. I do have some hobbies that I really love though. Photography is a passion of mine even though it kills me how much better so many others are at it than me. Even among those I personally know and are related too.

I see nothing wrong with saying "I love <fill in the blank with any worldy hobby>".

Praxeas · #4 09-07-2013, 03:24 PM

I have a friend who recently "moved" from an "Ultracon" church to ours. The main reason was the Pastor there was really bad in how he treated people.

But for years while there he never really bought into the "No TV, No sports" mantra he heard over and over and over. However perhaps in his case he needed to heed the warnings. Last year, when Football season started, he disappeared entirely from the church scene. He stayed home instead to watch football all day long.

This year he has sworn football off so far as keeping him from the meetings of the church but I know it's hard for him.

There are kids all over America that miss church so they can play soccer, baseball or football. Their parents likewise are missing too because they go to the games or are involved in coaching and other activities related to these sports.

Im not so sure Faith and Sports are a great mix for America.

RandyWayne · #5 09-07-2013, 05:37 PM

I guess I only considered "legalistic" churches to place such importance on church attendance.

Of course since NO ONE here attends a legalistic church, I'm not talking to you.

Praxeas · #6 09-07-2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I guess I only considered "legalistic" churches to place such importance on church attendance.

Of course since NO ONE here attends a legalistic church, I'm not talking to you.

Don't ALL churches place an importance on regular church attendance? Does the church you go to say "Please don't come to church, go watch football games instead"????

What am I missing? What church out there discourages going to church or encourages missing church for sports?

MarcBee · #7 09-07-2013, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Don't ALL churches....

What am I missing? What church out there discourages going to church or encourages missing church for sports?

Assemblies of God, on Super Bowl Sunday, at least in my mother's A-of-G church--they cancel church on Super Bowl Sunday night. One could argue this is simply "conceding to practical reality" or one could argue it's rather carnality, and not a big deal since it's only one night per year. I figure it's the later, since as many ministers are "athletic supporters" as are the laity.

(Me, I haven't watched any kind of pro or college game of any kind for at least 20 years. I do not wish to spend any portion of my short life helping to enrich 21 yr. old millionaires who happen to possess a talent for throwing a leather ball, or jumping into someone else, or tackling someone, or whatever.)

Praxeas · #8 09-07-2013, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarcBee

Assemblies of God, on Super Bowl Sunday, at least in my mother's A-of-G church--they cancel church on Super Bowl Sunday night. One could argue this is simply "conceding to practical reality" or one could argue it's rather carnality, and not a big deal since it's only one night per year. I figure it's the later, since as many ministers are "athletic supporters" as are the laity.

(Me, I haven't watched any kind of pro or college game of any kind for at least 20 years. I do not wish to spend any portion of my short life helping to enrich 21 yr. old millionaires who happen to possess a talent for throwing a leather ball, or jumping into someone else, or tackling someone, or whatever.)

I'm sure not all AoGs do and I don't agree with it, but it's not the same as missing church each Sunday to watch TV all day

MarcBee · #9 09-08-2013, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I'm sure not all AoGs do and I don't agree with it, but it's not the same as missing church each Sunday to watch TV all day

Yes of course not the same.
"For God so loved the church that He sent them Tevo."

RandyWayne · #10 09-08-2013, 11:29 AM

Up until a few days ago I had some faith that I would be able to watch at least a portion, if not all, of the Packers vs 49ers game. It turns out the only two states NOT showing it (of which I am in one of) is Arizona and MO since the Cardinals are playing the Rams at the exact same time on the exact same network.

There are a TON of Green Bay fans in the Phoenix area which I am sure influences how the top NFL execs for the Cards make sure that they schedule the two teams to play at the same time and on the same network despite one being an East coast team and the other a West JUST to make sure we see as few games as possible.