GOD and SPORT

A thing many sports people have in common is the tendency to publicly give God the credit for their achievements. If they win or reach a certain goal in the match it’s a look, nod or wave up to heaven, making the sign of the cross etc.

Why? Do these people think that if they do it for God they will do better? Do they think that if they pray before and after the game in the public eye, God will favor them against the opponent? Do they think the divine community fight a proxy war on the sports fields of the world with them as the pawns?
 
I think these sport people don’t do the oneness of God any justice by dragging their church, mosque, temple or whatever on to the sports arena. God don’t take sides on the sports field, in a boxing match, on a tennis court, or wherever. If that were the case, then people using drugs to enhance their abilities would never have won any game.
 
It’s like Napoleon said, “God is on the side of him that has the most guns!” God favors athletes who train hard, eat and rest properly, operate well as a team and compete honestly. Such an individual or team may even end up last in the competition, but they can never be losers in the eyes of God.
 
And when you win or achieve that dream, don’t be afraid to pat yourself on the shoulder or praise the efforts of the team. Give the coach the honor. Don’t forget to acknowledge the opponents, without whom there wouldn’t have been a competition and there wouldn’t have been that incentive to hone the body and mind to its peak.
 
Sport is the most efficient human bridge builder between the religious and irreligious, theists and atheists. Don’t spoil it by flaunting your deity in the sports arena. That does more harm than good and burns that very same bridge you’ve just helped to build with your participation in the sport.