Religion and Sports - Essay Example

? Running Head: RELIGION AND SPORTS Arguments for religion in sports The influence of religion insports cuts across both the players and supporters. With this, it has elicited debate both for and against it’s mainstreaming in the world of sports. Religion is debated in most contexts with regards to its influence on sporting performance. The mural at Notre Dame Stadium is a classic example of how religion has gained significance in sports. This “World of Life” mural also dubbed “Touchdown Jesus” informs students, athletes and spectators that religion remains part and parcel of the athletic competition. It teaches all that religion is necessary for achievement as an athlete (Baker, 2007). Religious elements like faith have been known to help players in a highly pressurizing environment. With fanatical following, sometimes an athlete can be overwhelmed by outside influence. This usually emanates from spectators who yearn for good performance. Therefore with faith, an athlete can handle pressure related to off field concerns. In the religious concept, faith is belief in God that He is in control. Thus an athlete will have greater focus, thereby improving his chances of excelling, since the outside influences are taken care of by God. Again, athletes on most occasions view themselves as talented. In religion, these are God given abilities. Here, they view their talents as a God given abilities which must be used to bring glory to God. This alone is a great motivating factor that religion has played in sports. As a result, these athletes compete with greater passion which translates to success (Delaney & Madigan, 2009). In religious congregations, ministers have used sports stories for the benefit of their societies. Some values that resonate well in sports and public include hard work, endurance and detest for cheating. These can have immense impact on communities. It is no doubt that sports just like religion have places for common gatherings. Teams have a following that forms a community (Baker, 2007). For instance in American football, Boston Red Sox has devoted fans who share similar memories of their team. Hence there is closeness among these fans. Supporters therefore will feel comfortable and identify with fellow supporters. This community formed can enjoy the benefit of cohesiveness and a sense of sharing which has enabled humanity to live in harmony. Thus these concepts bind religion and sports together. Religion in sports has been argued to give confidence and strength to athletes. This confidence improves the chances of a success. Here the belief that you have a God behind you, hence the belief of having a good performance (Baker, 2007). When athletes promote and confess their religious beliefs publicly, there is a likelihood that their followers will probably identify with them. An example is in football. When magnificent footballers score, they sometimes show off messages in their chests. Brazilian footballer Kaka is known of scribing the words “I belong to Jesus” in his shirt. This in effect has impacted on his watching fans who would be interested in knowing Jesus and following his ideals, another positive impact of religion in sports (Coakley, 2008). With intense commitments to their teams and sports personalities, spectators give meaning and focus to their lives. Sports spectatorship is also a transformative activity by which fans break out from their boring lives. From this perspective, spectatorship are thought to suit specific religious purpose including disappointments, limitations of daily life, establishing a society of fans and belonging to a team (Baker, 2007). Arguments against religion in sports Arguments against religion in sports border on commitment and adverse erosion of social order. Some of the worst sporting violence has been blamed on sectarianism (Coakley, 2008). A good example that comes into fore is the fierce rivalry between Scottish football clubs Rangers and Celtic. According research, many Catholics support Celtic whereas most of Protestants identify with Rangers. According to authorities in Glasgow, sectarian tensions leading to deaths and damage to property have been linked to either before or after playoff between these two teams. Hence religion has been advocated to be divorced from sports. When some sports personality puts religion above else, it can lead to lack of focus and commitment to their disciplines. The outcome of which is poor performance. To them, success is not the issue, but God is everything (Torr, 2005). The choice of religious commitments, particularly in sports, is usually an individual’s decision. But not all have the power to choose on involvement of religion in their sporting careers. For instance, during the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, women’s basic freedoms were curtailed. Basing their actions on Islamic law, women were brutally punished for participating in sports thereby forcing them to forfeit their athletic ambitions and adhere to Taliban’s limitations. This instance shows how religion has been argued against it’s mainstreaming in sports (Coakley, 2008). With bitter rivalry fueled by the desire for success, opposing teams have always experienced tensions that have lead to devastating consequences if not controlled (Torr, 2005). An example is the recent Egyptian football stampede. It left at least 75 people dead. This violence has pitied competing players or rival spectators. For this instance, the rivalry between Al-Ahly a visiting team and its fierce competitor Al-Masry. This Port Said match led to a massacre when fans of Al Masry invaded the pitch consequently setting off a conflict leading to stampede. Cultic following of sportsperson and teams have been blamed on major riots resulting in damages to property. These have lead to a toll on businesses. Spectators have been provoked by simplest of reasons like handing a card to their valuable player, notwithstanding that a match official was clearly unbiased. This has lead to unprecedented public disorder (Torr, 2005). Critics also argue that religious faith has lead to conflict between sportsperson and their commitment to professional sports. For instance, most sports are scheduled during important religious days of devotion. Some great players have had to put on hold participation in an event because of Sabbath commitments. It is striking to note that premium tournaments have mostly been scheduled between Friday and Sunday. These days fall under some religious days of worship. It is against this backdrop that some illustrious careers have been wasted on religious beliefs (Coakley, 2008). References Baker, W. J. (2007). Playing with God: religion and modern sport. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Coakley, J. J. (2008). Sports in society: issues and controversies (10th ed.). New York: McGraw- Hill. Delaney, T., & Madigan, T. (2009). The sociology of sports: an introduction. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co.. Torr, J. D. (2005). Sports and athletes: opposing viewpoints. Detroit: Greenhaven Press Read More