Sports and Religion Preview

           Sports and institutionalized religion are like twins who were separated at birth. Every Sunday they join together for the traditional day of church in the morning and NFL football in the afternoon. While both activities may not seem related at all, a closer look at their purposes may reveal that they’re not so separate. Whether you’re sitting in pews or bleachers, you’re a spectator in search of something more. Both sports and religion can provide this by giving people a sense of purpose, uniting, people, and giving people hope.

            Distinguishing the line between god and institutionalized religion is very important in understanding the comparison. While many people automatically connect god with religion, they are not synonyms. By definition religion is simply: a particular system of faith and worship (Oxford Dictionary). Religion attempts to connect us to the divine power of God. By doing so, it brings together many families and members of a community in one place for the same purpose: worship. It’s the actual act of coming together that provides a connection. The man in the pew becomes strikingly similar to the spectator sitting in the stands rooting on their favorite professional team.

             A prime example of institutionalized religion becoming a spectator sport can be seen in The Confessions of St. Augustine translated by Rex Warner. By Book III, St. Augustine reaches a low point in his relationship with god. He turns to the Manichee faith, which is a heretical version of Christianity. In this situation, Christianity has been tampered with and deviated from to create the institutionalized religion run by the Manichee’s. For ten years Augustine searches for salvation and his purpose through this religion. Rejection of the book of Genesis, treating God as a being, and putting struggles on God were all characteristics of this religious sect that ate away at Augustine’s soul. It was ten unhappy years as he found himself chasing faith in a “false” religion. Although he ended up with god, his journey was rocky. Augustine taught us that once you begin to center your life around certain religions, you’re trying to find your purpose in the wrong areas. You’re on the outside of your relationship with god, looking in just like a spectator in stands. This search of purpose in the wrong places is all too familiar in the world of sports.

 The search of purpose in the wrong places is all too familiar in the world of sports.

When people stray away from a personal relationship with god, there’s a lost and lonely feeling. Both sports and institutionalized religion attempt to fill this void. Personally, I love sports but I realize that it’s only a game. In our world today, sports has turned into more than just a game. The famous quote, “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing,” sums up how the importance of winning has overshadowed the meaning of life. Often, fans will place their hopes and purpose in the hands of a sports team even though they have no stake in the team. 




… This is a part of my religion and sports, I'm still working on sports and politics or sports and business. I took a turn with institutionalized religion based off of a book review I read that reminded me of Augustine. 

What Has America Become?

Ken Huber's article, What Has America Become, has been making its way around Facebook. This article going viral is great for people to read and it couldn't be more accurate. It's a summary of my political and social mindset. For bringing my point of views to millions on the internet, I thank you Mr. Huber.

How Sports Relates To Religion

Arguably the greatest attribute sports gives to the community is unity. Two strangers who support the same team can have conversations like they've known each other all their lives. The connection is fascinating. Supporters sections all over the country show the brotherhood the community shares to come together for one cause: to support their team. Below is a picture of the United States Soccer supports section, and yes I am in that picture (let's see if anyone can find me where's waldo style). Every time I sit in that section, I feel at home. It's a unity unlike any other. 

Religion also brings the unity affect. Each week communities unite in one place for a common cause of worship. It's a great atmosphere and also has a brotherhood about it. 

The feeling of Unity: it's the biggest similarity between sports and religion. 

My Final Paper II

The more I've heard about other paper topics, the more I decided against writing a major research paper. While rereading the final assignment, I saw there was an option to write two-1000 word essays instead of one-2000 word essay (If it's still alright with professor of course!).

I've taken the idea of writing one big essay on sports and politics and decided to try something a little more creative. Instead of dragging on a simple topic, I've decided to create more of a "Sports Series." One essay will relate to sports in politics while essay number two will compare sports to religion. These two essay's will parallel each other in a series format. I'm sure after writing the two essays, there will be driving correlations between the comparisons in both essays.

Responsibilities of The Media & Trayvon Martin

Freedom of the press is one of the most important amendments in our Constitution's Bill of Rights. However, major news networks have a social responsibility to deliver accurate news that takes a rational stance. Unfortunately, biases and ratings often come in between accuracy and stretching the truth. Both conservative and liberal media stations have been guilty of reporting twisted facts in order to drive ratings and prove their bias. 

The Trayvon Martin case is just another example of the media gone wild. Yahoo stated, "The Trayvon Martin case has exposed some of the media's worst tendencies--selective editing, rushing to judgment, stoking anger for ratings and page views." The article goes on to talk about ABC exaggerating injuries, NBC twisting Zimemrman's words to make him look racist, and CBS  making other false claims about a lack of injuries. Yahoo's explanation of NBC's coverage sickened me. NBC reported Zimmerman saying, "This guy looks like he's up to no good. He looks black." When in reality, Zimmerman was answering a dispatcher's question: 

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he's up to no good. Or he's on drugs or something. It's raining and he's just walking around, looking about.

Dispatcher: OK, and this guy--is he black, white or Hispanic?

Zimmerman: He looks black.

Any death is a tragedy and it's extremely unfortunate that this happened. I have faith the American justice system will make the right decision based on their investigation. I don't want the media drawing conclusions to a case they weren't there or an investigation hasn't even been solved yet. They should present what they know, exactly how it happened, and let the American public draw conclusions based on facts. The media twisting facts and drawing uneducated/ inaccurate conclusions needs to stop. 

This case's media coverage has been horrific. However, if the case really does prove his innocence than I hope Zimmerman gets the death penalty. Anyways- guilty or not- rest in peace Trayvon.