God's Team
If I hadn't already decided I wouldn't be jumping on the Colorado Rockies bandwagon, Are Rox God’s team? could almost make me root for Boston.
First off, it is hardly the business of a baseball team to hold 'faith promotions' at the stadium.
"Those faith days are not all faith days," [Rabbi Foster] said. "They're Christian faith days, and it's not their right to exclude those of us that are not a part of the Christian university."
What offends is not the religion, but the message: these guys are somehow better than other people, and better than drinkin' & chewin' & cussin' baseball players they've defeated to get to the World Series. They might be better athletes, but belief in a Christian god will not make anyone a better person. Jesus really didn't have much to say about clean living; he and the boys were quite fond of their wine, after all. He did have a lot to say about how we treat one another, and I know people of all faiths - and no faith - whose hearts are filled with love and kindness. On the other hand, many 'religious' people justify the meanness in their hearts with their faith.
Nonetheless, I did have to laugh at a Christian pastor's comments:
"I hate to say, we've been praying for the Broncos. It's not doing any good."
And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. (Matthew 6:5-6)
First off, it is hardly the business of a baseball team to hold 'faith promotions' at the stadium.
"Those faith days are not all faith days," [Rabbi Foster] said. "They're Christian faith days, and it's not their right to exclude those of us that are not a part of the Christian university."
What offends is not the religion, but the message: these guys are somehow better than other people, and better than drinkin' & chewin' & cussin' baseball players they've defeated to get to the World Series. They might be better athletes, but belief in a Christian god will not make anyone a better person. Jesus really didn't have much to say about clean living; he and the boys were quite fond of their wine, after all. He did have a lot to say about how we treat one another, and I know people of all faiths - and no faith - whose hearts are filled with love and kindness. On the other hand, many 'religious' people justify the meanness in their hearts with their faith.
Nonetheless, I did have to laugh at a Christian pastor's comments:
"I hate to say, we've been praying for the Broncos. It's not doing any good."
And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. (Matthew 6:5-6)