Talker: 27% of Americans believe God plays a role in sporting events
Posted:
Updated:
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
The Super Bowl is this Sunday. So, does God care who wins?
We know a lot of football players care about God. Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens wears a T-shirt under his uniform that says "Psalms 91." After every game, he's been quoting a bible verse: "no weapon formed against you shall prosper."
The 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is known for kissing his tattoos, which say "God to glory" and "Faith," after scoring a touchdown.
The Public Religion Research Institute did a survey on whether God is interested in the game. They found that 27 percent of Americans believe God plays a role in determining which team wins a sporting event. The number was much higher if you look at the American south, where 36 percent of people believe God plays a role in who wins. In the Midwest, it's 28 percent and further out west, it's 15 percent.
Half of Americans say they approve of athletes expressing their faith publicly -- for example during on-field interviews. Just 4 percent disapprove of it and 45 percent said it doesn't matter to them.
This week's Sports Illustrated examined whether God cares who wins the Super Bowl and cites potential conflicts between pro-football and Christianity. Jesus Christ, it says, emphasized the weak over the strong and the poor over the rich. He also instructed his followers to honor the Sabbath.
On the other hand, some point out that Christ demands excellence and the NFL is about performing at the ultimate level. They also say sports build character.
In Judaism, a pair of rabbis published separate opinions about God and sports. They each had the same bottom line: God does care how athletes perform because he cares about each and every person on an individual level.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, February 5 2013 3:09 PM EST2013-02-05 20:09:54 GMT
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Beauty used to be in the eye of the beholder. Nowadays, a phone-app is making some of the judgments. More than 5 million people have bought the "Ugly-Meter" app. Here's how it works: You take a photo,
Beauty used to be in the eye of the beholder. Nowadays, a phone-app is making some of the judgments. More than 5 million people have bought the "Ugly-Meter" app.
There's debate about how a school in Georgia -- and the local police department -- handled a 6- year- old who apparently threw a violent temper tantrum.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:26 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:26:38 GMT
Clay Buchholz pitched five-hit ball over seven innings to improve to 7-0, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 6-2 Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Clay Buchholz pitched five-hit ball over seven innings to improve to 7-0, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 6-2 Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:47 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:47:43 GMT
Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.
Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:16:06 GMT
Jose Quintana took a no-hitter into the seventh before David Ortiz broke it up with a one-out broken-bat single, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Jose Quintana took a no-hitter into the seventh before David Ortiz broke it up with a one-out broken-bat single, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:05 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:05:46 GMT
Travis Snider hit a pinch-hit grand slam during a five-run sixth and the Pittsburgh Pirates spoiled a strong return to the mound for Matt Garza with a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Travis Snider hit a pinch-hit grand slam during a five-run sixth and the Pittsburgh Pirates spoiled a strong return to the mound for Matt Garza with a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
