Do you think who wins a football game is of upmost importance and should take priority in our prayer lives over say issues like our soldiers fighting Bush's war...or the sick, or the needy?
2007-05-23 09:04:49 · 26 answers · asked by G.C. 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My feeling exactly. When these pious folk go out to play some damn sport, and start the matter with a prayer for God to help them win, exactly what do they expect to happen?
Do they really assume that the creator of the universe looks carefully at the matter, and decides that one side's prayers are more earnest, more justified, or maybe just prettier than the others' and causes the outcome to favour that side?
I have to say that if the God job was up to me, I'd put the lightning bolts on anyone who dared to ask for what is in effect match-fixing. It's an outrageous request.
CD
2007-05-23 09:12:42 · answer #1 · answered by Super Atheist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This reminds me of some lines from the movie "The Longest Day." John Wayne says, when the weather is so bad and the D-Day landing cannot proceed: "Sometimes I wonder which side God's really on." Then a German general says the exact same thing. And it also reminds me of a joke: A man and his priest are at a ballgame. The ballplayer crosses himself before he goes up to bat. The man asks: "Father, will that help? The priest replies: "Not if he can't hit."
2007-05-23 16:30:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seriously, it’s scary when sportsmen involve God in their play, especially when that ‘God’ is a potent political symbol.
In India and Pakistan Cricket matches, it’s scary how the Pakistan fans will chant the name of Allah and the Prophet, ever louder if their side is not doing too well.
I remember a cartoon about 20 years ago, it was at the height of the IRA- Protestant tension in Northern Ireland. There was an image of a van being stopped by militants, and the figure of Christ with his crown of thorns, and the commander asking ‘Catholic or protestant?’
I feel that ‘believers’ are devaluing their own image of God, when they expect him [her] to take sides in a football match…. Or a killing spree….
2007-05-24 06:28:05 · answer #3 · answered by krishna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that are prayers are important... but do I think that who wins a football game is more important that prayers that could be for a dying child or one of our men over in the war? NO!
I do think it is important to pray for the football team to not have injuries... but ... I think that Creator has a tough job... and I would not want to be in His/Her shoes!
2007-05-23 16:09:51 · answer #4 · answered by Shewolf Silver Shadows/Author 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always wonder how He does it at the 100m sprint in athletics. Less then 10 seconds to decide who wins, 8 guys praying before the start. God works so fast!
In those same 10 seconds also 3 innocent kids die of starvation, somewhere on this planet. I guess God is more into successful people.
2007-05-23 16:08:50 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No. Its ridiculous to pray to win a game when, like you said, there are so many more important things in life. Many athletes are misled into thinking Jesus helped them score a touchdown. Although many athletes pray more for safety and integrity on the playing field and that their actions would reflect their faith.
2007-05-23 16:08:01 · answer #6 · answered by comer59 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is not interested in the outcome of a football game unless it brings Him glory. I do however feel that it is a great witness for successful athletes to give God praise for Him giving them abilities.
Interesting that you say Bush's war when it was congress who voted the official declaration.
2007-05-23 16:14:33 · answer #7 · answered by The man 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There was a saying in the Civil War. God fights on the side with the largest artillery.
2007-05-23 16:07:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Mark Twain asked a similar question in " The War Prayer" it is worth reading he has a good point in it.
2007-05-23 16:32:52 · answer #9 · answered by dlee_75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure that God has no stake nor interest in the outcome of a football game. But he always has an interest in the fact that we turn to him in need and give him the glory in victory.
God's interest is in us. So if a football team wins and they give God the glory...it's not about God caring that you won but about the realization of your own insignificance in comparison to his greatness. Offering him glory in ALL things.
And if someone can learn to defer to God in something as unimportant as a football game...it prepares them to defer to God in the more important things in life...that do matter.
2007-05-23 16:14:51 · answer #10 · answered by Misty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋