Religion vs. Sports

Something that struck me as interesting is the drastic difference in the way people act towards religion vs. they way they act towards sports. This occurred to me when everyone was in the pub on Sunday for the Celtics game. When they won, people were jumping and cheering. I thought it was strange how accepted this behavior is. Gathering in large groups, proudly displaying team loyalty, donning jerseys and hats, and putting all focus on the game. And all this is normal, accepted behavior.

Now, what if someone acted this way towards their religion? In other countries it's more common. There are Muslims who bow in the street to pray. Buddhists who meditate in public. But in America, if someone wore a shirt that said, "I'm on God's team", intently read their Bible at the bar in restaurants, and sang praise songs at the top of their lungs, people would think that person was insane.

I have to admit, the guys in Downtown Crossing who hang the signs around their necks and scream at people to be saved or burn in hell... scare me. But even Christians gathering together in groups or for church seems strange to non-Christian Americans. Large church buildings are seen as intimidating religious fortresses, but sports arenas are welcomed as symbols of pride and homage to teams and their cities.

I don't know why there is such a difference and why certain religions cause such fear in others. I can really only speak for my own religion because I know I'm not wise enough to speak on other religion's behalf. I think Jesus had the right idea.

While I wish I had the courage to be a John the Baptist type of Christian who shouts the word of God and is a radical, I tend to be more like Jesus. I think people forget about his way of teaching people and think that the only way to tell people about Christianity is in the form of John the Baptist. However, Jesus talked to people in a way that was non-threatening and in a way that they could relate to and understand. He didn't just talk to the people like himself. He hung out with people that could ruin his reputation and he didn't shove it down peoples' throats. He offered peace and love to everyone. I think Jesus was the first hippy. lol!

He taught through the way he lived his life and when the curious gathered, he spoke to them. That's what I try to do. I try to live my life right and be approachable so that I may open the door to someone's curiosity about the religion and then offer them what I have learned. I'm not doing much good if I scare people away. At least... that's how I go about it.

CLOSING THOUGHT: Can you imagine playing Red-Rover at this age? I think we tried playing it once back in high school and broke a girl's wrist. Let's stick to frisbee and freeze tag.