Saturday, June 5, 2010

Tales from The Perimeter: When Did God Become a Sports fan?

Perimeter meaning the 6 mile patrol road inside the fence of the military installation on which I work, where some half a dozen of us comprise a pool of running “talent” and strive to show up for a noontime run a couple times a week if we can escape our desks. We share a lot and these guys are one of the core pillars of my sanity. See also here for a previous post.


Email exchange below (reads down) is typical of what we talk about before, during, and after our runs around the perimeter. This one centered upon athletes publicly thanking God after a sports success.

-----Original Message-----

From: xxxxx
Sent: xxxxx
To: xxxxx

Subject: Run discussion...

Here is Jack's favorite topic:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/wayoflife/05/25/God.sports/index.html?hpt

-----Original Message-----

From: xxxxx
Sent: xxxxx
To: xxxxx

Subject: RE: Run discussion...

Do you think that Jack "Thanked God" after his round of 75 at the Rich Valley golf course last weekend?

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxx
Sent: xxxxx
To: xxxxx
Subject: RE: Run discussion...

Great link. The money quote for me was this:

Athletes who publicly thank God for victory are often calling more attention to themselves than their faith, says William J. Baker, author of "Playing with God." They are selling their goodness, and their brand of faith, to a captive audience, says Baker, who describes himself as a Christian. "I don't think it's the right place and it's not the right gesture," says Baker, a former high school quarterback. "It's an athlete using a moment to sell a product, like soap."

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