ch 16 Religion and sport
Christian Influences on Sport
-Churches use sport to attract people. -Catholics started the CYO; -Protestants started the YMCA. -Some athletes use religion to conquer fear and find deeper meaning in sport. -Link between religion and sport can reinforce a desired code of conduct. **Sport instills Protestant values (e.g., hard work, self-discipline, striving for success
Islam and Sport
-Every action meant to glorify Allah -Women banned or required to wear traditional dress but starting to have greater impact in international sport -No sport prohibition for males (sport and games part of expected teachings) -Muhammad Ali - was Christian, converted to Islam as adult; most well known athlete in this faith, most well known and recognized human throughout the world
History of Religion and Sport
-Greek festivals honored gods. -Roman emperor Theodosius I banned the Olympics due to pagan elements. -The Puritans saw sport as a leisure pursuit that should be avoided. -Muscular Christianity, however, approached physical fitness as a virtue.
Judaism and Sport
-Jewish boxers dominant in early 1900s -Many Jewish basketball players in 1940s -Baseball (Hank Greenberg, Sandy Koufax) -Olympics (Mark Spitz, Kerri Strug, Sarah Hughes) -Successes in many other sports
Use of Sport to Promote Religious Schools
-Notre Dame (football) -Gonzaga (basketball) -Brigham Young University (football)
Use of Religion by Coaches, Owners, and Organizations
-Team unity -Moral code for athletes -Religious role models for players (for example other players and coaches) -Prayer events, Christian outreach at Olympics -Informal prayer at school events -Faith nights in minor leagues
Use of Prayer by Athletes
-To cope with uncertainty and anxiety -To put life and sport into perspective -To build meaning in sport participation
Use of Religion by Athletes
-To justify commitment to high performance -To reduce pressure and uncertainty -To enhance bonds between teammates -To guide moral decision making
Conflict Between Sport and Religion
-Violent nature of some sports -How athletes overcome internal conflicts, justify dedication to sport, and validate sport experience -Separate beliefs -Questions of meaning and value
Use of Sport to Promote Religion
-fellowship of christian athletes (1954) -athletes in action -pro athletes outreach -national christian college athletic association (NCCAA)
Basketball was invented in
YMCA of Springfield Massachusetts
