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Christianity Today, September, 2007 |

Fumbling Religion?

When it deals with Christians and churches, the NFL doesn't always have a good game plan.

Mark Moring | posted 9/11/2007 08:52AM

As popular Sunday customs, watching the National Football League and attending church seem to go together. Players who thank Jesus for victory have almost become a cliché. At the Super Bowl last ...

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Jude	Posted: September 22, 2007 10:01 PM


Why would we Christians want to be identified with a business that promotes beer drinking and sex?

Jonathan

Posted: September 12, 2007 11:26 PM

The only issue raised here that could be a valid bone to pick with the NFL is the issue about the prayer after the game. The NFL would stop any restaurant from using their logos without permission, and there are strict rules about restaurants projecting the game as well. As for the cap with the cross, if the NFL rules state that a player can only wear NFL gear after games, then Kitna should not have worn the cap. We as Christians need to make sure that we follow the rules and laws that are in force: Romans 13:1 states "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities..." (NIV)

Jim	Posted: September 12, 2007 2:27 PM

I can't figure out why Christian players and fans don't get the NFL to do more on days other than Sunday. I might be taking a strict stance on this but what ever happened to the 10 commandments specifically "Keep the Sabbath Day Holy"? The Lord had not rescinded that command. Playing ball on Sunday is far from resting from our labors and dedicating ourself to God and His purposes one day a week. Niether is shopping for cars, furniture etc. By patronizing these businesses and the NFL on Sunday, we force others to work and hence break the sabbath. So what happened to the commandment of keeping the sabbath day holy? "OMG" I guess it went to the same place as taking the Lords name in vain. ;) We Christians really need to look at the hypocracy in all this and change our ways.

turboman

Posted: September 12, 2007 9:15 AM


Good balanced piece.

Don	Posted: September 11, 2007 9:06 PM


I'm being told that we buy yhe signal of an NFL game from our Cable provider (comcast cable) and they secure the rights to broadcast the game. So, my question...how can this particular program be limited to a 55 inch screen, when others are not?

Don	Posted: September 11, 2007 9:05 PM


I'm being told that we buy yhe signal of an NFL game from our Cable provider (comcast cable) and they secure the rights to broadcast the game. So, my question...how can this particular program be limited to a 55 inch screen, when others are not?

Monica

Posted: September 11, 2007 8:32 PM

I'm not sure that I see your point. The NFL is a secular organization... I have a much larger issue with their players setting poor standards for young men, than with the issues that were raised. How many players were arrested last season? How many of them were convicted, and were still permitted to play? Working for the NFL should be a priveledge, like working anywhere else, and they should meet a higher standard... no wife beaters, no dog killers... these aren't high standards, they are just standards! That way when littly guys want to be them when they grow up, they have real role models. As for the NFL not playing nice with churches, are we really here on earth to demand our rights? We are called to turn the other cheek, & to respect earthly authority, which includes copywright laws. Our church has small groups meet in homes informally and watch the playoffs, which was a great outreach to folks who'd never come to church. A beer-free football party is a great time!!

Ernie

Posted: September 11, 2007 8:15 PM


Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. I would rather see a public figure such as a professional athlete profess the name of Jesus Christ than I would see them stay true to religious practices for man's sake.

Raymond Takashi Swenson

Posted: September 11, 2007 6:27 PM

Steve Young, during his time as quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, would regularly visit churches on the evening before or after a game and speak to local members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormon") and their guests. I don't recall him talking about his religious beliefs on the field or in post-game interviews, but he made no secret of his membership in the Church, his attending and playing for BYU (including law school), his home in Utah, and his marriage in an LDS temple. There have been many other Mormons who were prominent in football, baseball, basketball and golf, some graduates of BYU and others who converted to the Church through teammates. Of course, you would never find an LDS church hosting viewing of the Superbowl, or even changing its meeting times to accommodate viewing at home. A Catholic friend of mine loves living in Mormon country: he never has Sunday competition for the ski slopes or golf greens.

Chris

Posted: September 11, 2007 4:30 PM


Churches can buy air time just the same as Budweiser. Why don't they? Also, good response, John.

Peter

Posted: September 11, 2007 1:31 PM

Long gone are the days when an Eric Liddell would refuse to compete in an Olympic event on the Sabbath, or a Sandy Koufax refuse to pitch in world-series game for the same reason. Instead, we don't even bat an eye at the distortions involved in the idolatry that is modern sport. Instead we anguish over the specks appearing in the eyes of others. I went to high school with Roger Goodell. I wish him well, though I would not want his job.

John	Posted: September 11, 2007 11:36 AM


The NFL is a business and it's product is it's games. Just as a church would not expect Ford to give the Pastor a new car for free, Churches can't expect the NFL to bend it's rules on how and when games can be shown. The NFL goes after bars with equal intensity so it is not like it is singling out churches.

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