Falwell: Can Christianity and Sports Continue to Coexist?

[meegbear]

FALWELL CONFIDENTIAL
Insider weekly newsletter to The Moral Majority Coalition and
The Liberty Alliance http://www.moralmajority.com <http://www.moralmajority.com/>

From: Jerry Falwell
Date: June 2, 2006

CAN CHRISTIANITY AND SPORTS CONTINUE TO COEXIST?

Since I can remember, I’ve been an avid New York Yankees fan here in the heart of Dixie. I’ve been a follower of the team since the days of Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey and Phil Rizzuto.

After I became a Christian in 1952, I continued to love the Yankees, but admit to having a certain affinity for those players I have also known to be Christians. From Bobby Richardson (who would later coach at Liberty University) to Willie Randolph to Randy Johnson and others, these players have held a special place in my heart.

So it was that I read with interest this week a USA TODAY article on the Christian players with the Colorado Rockies. The story suggested that there existed “a Christian-based code of conduct” within the Rockies clubhouse which is not peppered with girly magazines nor inundated with risqué music commonplace in most MLB clubhouses these days.

And, most interestingly, the Rockies are suddenly winning, with some of the Christian players saying they see the hand of God in their successes this year. Of course, this could change at any time since God’s Word never promises that being a Christian means we will never struggle or face challenges. In fact, I imagine there are also Christian players on the Kansas City Royals, the team with the worst record in baseball.

Nevertheless, it is fascinating to read about this team that is built on character and comprised of many Christian players and coaches, that has become the talk of baseball.

Still, because we are talking about Christians, there is a hint of suspiciousness in the focus on the team. There is the implication that Christians in authority will instinctively exclude or isolate non-believers.

When former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft initiated a Bible study in the Department of Justice, there were similar charges. Wouldn’t the non-believers or atheists feel secluded?

“He’s running the department like a church …” complained Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The ACLU declared that the Constitution was in danger from Mr. Ashcroft’s prayer meetings.

Strangely enough, Mr. Ashcroft is no longer serving in that capacity and the Constitution seems to have held up quite well during the years since this controversy.

Do you imagine there would have been similar outcry if Mr. Ashcroft had been holding Tupperware parties or poker games or fantasy baseball drafts that others weren’t interested in?

Christians are obviously under scrutiny.

Florida State football Coach Bobby Bowden and Georgia Coach Mark Richt annually take players to church services in order to build character. They get the permission of players’ parents first. But again, the seemingly ubiquitous Americans United for Separation of Church and State says this situation is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Coach Bowden has also defended his friend, Air Force Coach Fisher DeBerry, who was told last year to remove a locker room banner displaying the “Competitor’s Creed,” which included the lines: “I am a Christian first and last ... I am a member of Team Jesus Christ.”

So where does this leave Christians in the secular world? Are we to, as the old song says, hide our candle under a bushel?

You know what this old junkyard dog’s response is.

I think Coach Bowden has the right response. Speaking to USA TODAY last year, he stated: “We realize we have other religions with us … (but) I ain’t gonna back down.”

It’s a similar response that Rockies manager Clint Hurdle had this week: “I stand up for my relationship with Christ.”

This is the same message we are publicizing in our “Friend or Foe Graduation Campaign,” instructing high school students that they have the legal right to articulate their faith during graduation ceremonies.

It’s a joy to see people taking a stand for Christ even at a time when it is obvious that there are forces that wish to silence us. Let’s stand together as we elevate Jesus Christ in the realm of growing secularism.

[undeterred]

1. These people think they are the center of the universe

its not scrutiny, its disbelief at their naivete and stupidity, especially for believing that people like Bush actually believe in anything except their own importance.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Bowling for Jesus? Kick one for Christ? Jock strap blessing ceremony?

More like "Pass the basket for Jerry".

[beam me up scottie]

3. "when it is obvious that there are forces that wish to silence us."

I wish he'd shut the hell up.

Is that the same thing?

[liberal N proud]

4. It is time to put this poor man in a straight jacket

What the h##! is he talking about, there are many, many a Christian in sports at all levels.
:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[peekaloo]

5. Colorado's a game above .500.

God must be an over/under betting man. :evilgrin:

[pretzel4gore]

6. why not just be christian, whicxh would remove the bushel

from over the candle? is it because turning the other cheek, giving instead of receiving, being honest even when it costly, defending the poor and sick instead of the vicious, and not killing people in other countries for personal benefit reasons etc don't gain anyone anything?
the old perve should just go to hell

[Ian David]

7. “Friend or Foe Graduation Campaign"??? How fucking divisive is THAT!?!

Falwell's one sick, mean-spirited, divisive and coercive bastard.

[devinsgram]

8. Well, I guess we know now who is going to win

the World Series. Great we don't have watch anymore games, because it is has all been decided. My next question is, who is Jesus gonna play for in football? I want to bet on that team for sure. How about basketball? I think he'll have a hard time playing in sandals.

I don't mean to ridicule, but I keep my beliefs to myself and I have never tried to force what I believe in on others or keep others silent about theirs. I would appreciate that they do the same.

[ebdarcy]

9. So, God is helping the Rockies win baseball games?

Is that why we have famine and war? Because God's too busy helping devoted Christians win games?

And if God rewards millionaire Christian baseball players with wins, does he also punish teams who have non-Christian fans? Is my being an atheist the reason Jose Mesa blew the save in the seventh game of the 1997 World Series? Do these morons ever think before they speak? An omnipotent, omniscient being is really helping a baseball team because they worship him?

However, the thing I find most absurd is Falwell's belief that the Constitution held up quite well during Ashcroft's tenure.

[teryang]

10. This is a ring knocking thing for white people

The fundies are driving "non-believers" out of government. It is a political movement of intolerance. The notion that Falwell or Hagee while spouting hatred, racism and just war theories speak for Christianity is fascist claptrap.

[no_hypocrisy]

11. I'd love to know Hank Greenberg's reaction to this bag of wind. n/t

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/greenberg_hank.htm

[DavidDvorkin]

12. Can we get rid of both of them?

No religion, no sporting events -- oh, what an improvement that would be!

[Toots]

13. "and the Constitution seems to have held up quite well"

Ask Jose Padilla if that is true or the millions that have had their phones tapped by NSA without warrant or the 750 signng statements by Bush* saying he would not follow the laws as written..

[Swamp Rat]

14. The salient question is: Can Falwell and America continue to coexist?

The answer is: NO!

[PurityOfEssence]

15. fantasy and foolishness

Sports are a supreme waste of time; if you enjoy watching them, then whoop it up and enjoy yourself. Religion is the hatred of uncertainty. If secularism is a villain, then you are a totalitarian with a dislike of reality and probably a cringing coward in the face of life.

NOTHING that happens on the moral plane needs to be justified by elves, fairies and supreme whatevers; what works in reality is what works in reality, and the discussions are best had in this realm.

Believers are not superior to non-believers. Religion is not necessarily "good"; I maintain that the headlong desire to end any questioning and cling to supernatural bigotries is BAD. More than that, the demanding that a belief based on guesses and prejudice is not superior to a belief based on the calm analysis of observable reality.

One can't say these words in the public realm in this country, but supernatural superstitions have more than enough of a voice. Just like me, you're going to die, and the possibility of some fear-assuaging afterlife is silly. Even if I'm wrong in this--something I'm willing to admit, unlike most believers--what should still matter more is what happens in this mortal world.

[Berry Cool]

17. Purity, why do you have to put down both religion AND sports

to make your point? I mean, a lot of people who believe both are valuable--and don't appreciate your Word From On High that "Sports are a supreme waste of time" and that all religion is "clinging to supernatural bigotries" and therefore "BAD"--think the idea that any supernatural being would interfere in sports is absurd. Why can't you just leave it at that, instead of having to insult the intelligence and moral character of everyone who happens to disagree with you?

I liked ebdarcy's comment: "Is that why we have famine and war? Because God's too busy helping devoted Christians win games?" It's exactly what Keith Olbermann was saying about this on Dan Patrick's radio show the other day. He implied it was crazy to say that with the world full of much bigger and more important issues that anyone would think God would care who wins a baseball game.

"Is my being an atheist the reason Jose Mesa blew the save in the seventh game of the 1997 World Series?" No, ebdarcy, that couldn't have been you, because as a believer I was counteracting your atheism. I think we have to blame Jose Mesa on other factors...like, maybe, he just BLEW IT. :rofl:

[leesa]

16. Foulwell thinks the Constitution has held up quite well since the scourge

of the criminal Ashcroft? I beg to differ.

These Pharissees are such arrogant self-righteous fools!