Has anyone ever been to a pro-sporting event where a prayer was said prior to the game starting?

Question

I'm a Carolina Panther fan who has noticed that there is always a public invocation before kickoff?

Is this done at any other stadium?

Anyone else think it's kind of strange to assume that 77,000 people want to participate in a public prayer?

Serious answers please, derogatory comments about the Panthers are not needed.

Answer 1

I understand why its done....no let me take that back. I guess I really don't like it. If you are religious it sounds almost wrong to pray to God that he is watching and he is going to make sure noone gets hurt. Like if you forgot to say it then God would be watching and decide someone was going to get hurt or killed because 77,000 people forgot to ask him not to let it happen.
They do it before every televised NASCAR race too. It just doesn't sound right to me.
I believe in God I just don't believe in prayers or as we have to call them public inovations before sporting events. It just isnt right to me.

Answer 2

Well never saw one before a football game I've gone to, although never went to an NFL game only to the local Semi-Pro Arena League. Now on the other hand if you ever watch a NASCAR race they do say a prayer before every race praying for the safety of all the racers. I don't see anything wrong with a prayer that no one gets hurt during the competition. Oh and anyone who DOESN'T want to participate in THAT simple prayer needs to LEAVE. You are in need of MENTAL help that you are hoping someone gets injured. I mean hey nothing against hoping the person doesn't play, but not playing and getting injured are different views. Now at the end of the game with the local team they go to midfield and say the Lord's Prayer, but those in the stands don't hear it and the only people that take part are the ones who choose to.

Answer 3

I would be loving that!

I think they do it in Baltimore but, definitely, not in Philly.

Obviously I don't think it's strange because I support it.
However, let me put it this way. When most of us were kids (I'm 36) prayers were part of different aspects of public events of many types. At that time, I did not believe in God. The thing was, I had enough decency and respect to let it go because other people have rights too. Nowadays, it seems that very few are willing to respect other people's rights in any fashion.

If the Panthers and their community feel that this is appropriate, it's their decision to make. If they came to another stadium and demanded that it happen, that would be crossing the line.

I could go on but that's enough for now.

Good question by the way. I like the way you worded it and kept it respectful.

Answer 4

Let's try to put this in perspective.
Let's say before the game the public address announcer asked every one to stand and then said: "there is no god, now let's get on to a fair game and hope no one gets hurt". Well everyone agrees with the second part. We don't need to stand for it because, "it goes without saying it".

Now for the first part, the believers wouldn't like that. The vast majority of people who come to the game come for the game! They do not want pro religion or anti religion. And, the nonbelievers don't want the fantasy ideas of religion forced upon them.

If you want to say a prayer, say it to yourself. Say it anytime or all the time. Before the game, during the game, and after the game. I don't care. Just keep it to yourself. Amen !!!

Answer 5

each now and then i have self assurance like we finally end up judging the human beings more effective than their beliefs. i don't think of that's proper. Theists get indignant at atheists and criticize them, in my view, and atheists are so sarcastic and rude that they scarcely go away a deferential contact upon questions presupposing the existence of God. i don't think of any question is inherently idiotic (except those "spiritually talking" questions...), yet there is continually someone available who will criticize the asker proper off the bat because they don't have self assurance the same ingredient. it is the beliefs that are in question, no longer the man believing them. i imagine some distance too a lot is idea, and far to little is truly suggested right here. human beings insult one yet another over no longer something, and for no reason. it may be fantastic if human beings stopped attempting to discover middle floor between absolute beliefs, and it may be fantastic if the human beings who held those absolute beliefs did not hesitate to difficulty them to criticism (theist and atheist alike).

Answer 6

I know they've done it in Green Bay.
I see nothing wrong with it. If you don't want to participate, use it as an opportunity to go get a beer, hit the bathroom, or just stretch out one last time before kickoff.

Of course, at Lambeau Field, where they sit on bleachers, it could be one last chance to slide over and maximize your seat space a little bit!

Answer 7

I've been to many many Denver games and a few Vikings games and have never seen a pre-game prayer. And there shouldn't be. If you want to say one go right ahead but keep it to yourself, why should the rest of us have to indulge your silly superstitions?

Answer 8

i've never seen that, personally. but i often see and/or hear of a moment of silence. i suppose that's a bit more politically correct, but i have no problem with prayer!

Answer 9

YES THEY SAID ONE AT THE COLTS vs.STEELERS PLAY OFF GAME IN INDY. I WENT TO THAT GAME
I THINK IT IS AWESOME AND IF SOME OF THE PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT THEY CAN JUST STAND OR SIT THERE AND RESPECT OTHERS WHO DO WANT TO.
OH YEAH GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!