Faith and Fields: Exploring Religion's Influence on Sports

1. Chapter 15 Religion and Sport C H A P T E R 15 Religion and Sport

2. Chapter Outline • Religion and Sport in History • Christian Influence on Sport • Sport and Religions Other Than Christianity • Use of Religion in Sport by Athletes • Use of Sport by Athletes to Promote Religious Beliefs (continued)

3. Chapter Outline (continued) • Use of Religion by Coaches, Organizations, and Owners • Organizations Using Sport to Promote Religion • Using Sport to Promote Christian Colleges and Secondary Schools • Conflict Between Sport and Religion • Chapter Summary

4. History of Religion and Sport • Greek festivals honored gods. • Christian emperor banned sports for their violence. • American Puritans saw sport as sin. • Muscular Christianity, value of benefits of physical activity. • Religion and sport both considered “opiate of the masses”?

5. Christian Influences on Sport • Churches attract people through sports and gymnasiums. • YMCA, Springfield College, basketball • Athletes use religion to conquer fears and find deeper meaning in sport. • Reinforces code of conduct. • Instills Protestant values such as hard work, self-discipline, striving for success.

6. Judaism and Sport • Maccabiah Games • Early American boxing • In postwar period, emphasis in Jewish families on education, not sport • Hank Greenberg, Sandy Koufax, Shawn Green both lauded and criticized for not playing baseball on Yom Kippur

7. Islam and Sport • Every action is meant to glorify Allah. • Women banned or wear traditional dress, but they are beginning to have greater impact on international sport. • For males, no prohibition against sport participation, and sport and games have long been a part of the expected teachings. • Muhammad Ali is an example.

8. Use of Religion by Athletes • Justify commitment to high performance. • Reduce pressure and uncertainty. • Enhance bonds between teammates. • Guide moral decision making.

9. Discussion • What examples of religion in sport do you see on the gaming fields and on TV? • Do you condone those examples?

10. Use of Religion by Coaches, Owners, and Organizations • Team unity • Moral code for athletes • Being a religious role model for players • Prayer breakfasts at Olympic Games • Informal prayer at school events • Faith nights in minor leagues • Christian outreach at Olympics for years

11. Use of Sport to Promote Religion • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (1954) • Athletes in Action • Pro Athletes Outreach • National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA )

12. Use of Sport to Promote Religious Schools • Notre Dame infootball • St Joseph’s in basketball • Brigham Young University in football, Director’s Cup

13. Discussion • Have high schools or universities that you, friends, or family are involved with placed an emphasis on religion? What was the rationale for that emphasis? • Are sport and religion always compatible?

14. Conflict Between Sport and Religion • Violent nature of some sports • Athletes’ ways of overcoming internal conflicts, justifying their dedication to sport, and validating their sport experience • Separate beliefs • Question of meaning and value

15. Internal Strife • Study of Athletes in Action members: One-third of 31 athletes admitted reaching a crisis in their careers trying to reconcile their religious beliefs with their sport. • Not surprising: Religious strife is global reality and has been for centuries.

16. Discussion Have you ever had to reconcile your sporting experience and any religious beliefs you might hold?