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Should God go to the ballgame?
LA Times ^ | August 18, 2007 | Tom Krattenmaker

Posted on 08/18/2007 1:28:34 AM PDT by shrinkermd

On Sunday, Christian baseball fans will stream into Dodger Stadium for what is becoming more common fare at professional ballparks across the country -- "faith day."

Following the Dodgers vs. Rockies game, fans with special tickets will gather in a corner of the parking lot for a concert by the Christian rock band Hawk Nelson, an appearance by characters from the "Veggie Tales" Christian television program and testimonials by several devout Dodgers. The purpose, according to event organizer Brent High, is to promote the Gospel of Jesus.

...Critics of the Christianizing of pro sports -- including interfaith groups, Jewish leaders and secular progressives -- have voiced reservations about the seemingly ever-closer relationship between evangelical sports ministries and major professional sports teams. Frequent on-field religious gestures by players already rankle many -- does it really honor God to knock the snot of your opponent on the football field and then point to the sky? And shout-outs to God during live post-game interviews offend those fans who would prefer to enjoy their sports without a dose of in-your-face religion.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: baseball; christians; dodgers; faithday; god; mlb; separation
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Does not the Constitution specify a separation of God and baseball? Someone better get SCOTUS involved before it is too late. (sarc)
1 posted on 08/18/2007 1:28:36 AM PDT by shrinkermd
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To: shrinkermd
Liberals are upset people want a little worship at a baseball game! Go figure.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

2 posted on 08/18/2007 1:32:51 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: shrinkermd
On Sunday, Christian baseball fans will stream into Dodger Stadium for what is becoming more common fare at professional ballparks across the country -- "faith day."

Do people have to parade their religion ALL the time?

Yes, I'm aware of what I'm setting myself up for here. But whatever happened to praying behind closed doors, and not wearing your religion on your sleeve, but living your life as a person of faith?

It's the people who are always telling everyone how faithful they are who are the ones who usually have something to hide. In my experience, the people who are the truly religious do so without all this "Look at me!" stuff at non-religious occassions.

3 posted on 08/18/2007 1:35:59 AM PDT by Darkwolf377 (Any Republicans around here?)
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To: shrinkermd

Do they even allow FCA (Fellowship of Christian Atheletes) in Highschool any more?


4 posted on 08/18/2007 1:36:15 AM PDT by SShultz460
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To: Darkwolf377

1 game out of 81 isn’t wearing your faith on a sleeve.

Good Luck


5 posted on 08/18/2007 1:37:31 AM PDT by SShultz460
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To: SShultz460
Do they even allow FCA (Fellowship of Christian Atheletes) in Highschool any more?

They do here in VA....

If this article was about some muzzie group, it would read how government and management weren't bending over and grabbing their ankles to provide the devout with prayer rugs and foot baths....

6 posted on 08/18/2007 1:49:22 AM PDT by dirtbiker (I tried to see things from the liberal point-of-view, but I couldn't get my head up my a$$...)
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To: shrinkermd

Sept. 18th and the Cubs are in 1st place.
GOD is hanging around Wrigley.
GO CUBS.


7 posted on 08/18/2007 1:52:08 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (An enemy of Islam)
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To: Joe Boucher

I’m still glad you have Jaques Jones and not my Twins :)


8 posted on 08/18/2007 1:55:49 AM PDT by SShultz460
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To: shrinkermd

I think within the cultural milieu that gave us our founding documents, which acknowledged our Creator, God’s commands would have been taken seriously, including the fourth one.


9 posted on 08/18/2007 1:58:13 AM PDT by Lexinom (http://www.gohunter08.com Don't let the press pick our candidates)
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To: shrinkermd; goldstategop; Darkwolf377; SShultz460; dirtbiker; Joe Boucher
Does not the Constitution specify a separation of God and baseball?

One, there is no such phrase in the US Constitution. Two, even if there were, the free exercise clause guarantees the right to publicly express religious views and practice religion. Of course this depends on having judges who can understant the plain meaning of the Constitution as written instead of of emanations an penumbras caused by bad acid trips.

I'm sure the author would approve of gay days and multi-cultural days in which the culture and mores of Americans of European origin are mocked.

10 posted on 08/18/2007 1:58:40 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Darkwolf377
The problem is that Christendom has been largely swallowed by popular culture. To live what one believes would be to "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy, to not do any work" incl. spending money so others can work on the Lord's Day. And dressing modestly. And speaking softly. And becoming better educated in the liberal (small-l) sense and re-taking the positions of influence and high culture.

That would be living it.

What we have here is a sad cultural phenomenon that is nonetheless, judging by the historical standard of the Old Testament with repeated falling away by the Jews, nothing new.

This "faith day" is not what Christianity is about. It is about ink, paper, water, bread, wine, and the ultimate act of love. "For greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

11 posted on 08/18/2007 2:05:10 AM PDT by Lexinom (http://www.gohunter08.com Don't let the press pick our candidates)
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To: shrinkermd
does it really honor God to knock the snot of your opponent on the football field and then point to the sky?

It highly honors God to use your God-Given talents to their best!

12 posted on 08/18/2007 2:08:35 AM PDT by AmericaUnited
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To: Darkwolf377
But whatever happened to praying behind closed doors, and not wearing your religion on your sleeve, but living your life as a person of faith?

Whatever happened to freedom of religion? Freedom of Assimulation?

Following the Dodgers vs. Rockies game, fans with special tickets will gather in a corner of the parking lot for a concert by the Christian rock band Hawk Nelson, an appearance by characters from the "Veggie Tales" Christian television program and testimonials by several devout Dodgers.

BTW... did you notice this was AFTER the game? It required SPECIAL TICKETS to attend?

13 posted on 08/18/2007 2:13:56 AM PDT by LowOiL (Make youself a Duncan Hunter T-Shirt and wear it proudly to work...)
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To: Lexinom
The problem is that Christendom has been largely swallowed by popular culture. To live what one believes would be to "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy, to not do any work" incl. spending money so others can work on the Lord's Day. And dressing modestly. And speaking softly. And becoming better educated in the liberal (small-l) sense and re-taking the positions of influence and high culture. That would be living it.

Precisely. What stops the faithful from doing all that you describe? Nothing that I can see.

What we have here is a sad cultural phenomenon that is nonetheless, judging by the historical standard of the Old Testament with repeated falling away by the Jews, nothing new.

Yeah, the culture at large doesn't support the beliefs you note. But that doesn't prevent individuals from practicing them.

This "faith day" is not what Christianity is about. It is about ink, paper, water, bread, wine, and the ultimate act of love. "For greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Very well said.

14 posted on 08/18/2007 2:14:53 AM PDT by Darkwolf377 (Any Republicans around here?)
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To: LowOiL
Whatever happened to freedom of religion? Freedom of Assimulation? BTW... did you notice this was AFTER the game? It required SPECIAL TICKETS to attend?

Calm down. Why all the YELLING?

Wherever did I question freedom of religion? Wherever did I questions freedom to assimilate? (And what does publicly parading one's religion have to do with assimilation?

So what if it's after the game and requires special tickets? What does that have to do with my point?

15 posted on 08/18/2007 2:16:42 AM PDT by Darkwolf377 (Any Republicans around here?)
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To: SShultz460
1 game out of 81 isn’t wearing your faith on a sleeve.

I'm sure if it were Muslim Day people here would think so. ;)

16 posted on 08/18/2007 2:17:53 AM PDT by Darkwolf377 (Any Republicans around here?)
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To: LowOiL

Opps

Assimulate wrong word..

Meant Assemble or associate.


17 posted on 08/18/2007 2:19:59 AM PDT by LowOiL (Make youself a Duncan Hunter T-Shirt and wear it proudly to work...)
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To: Darkwolf377
So what if it's after the game and requires special tickets? What does that have to do with my point?

Because you said "stuff at non-religious occassions". Thus the very reason I highlighted a couple of words in my post (which you got all huffy and claimed I yelled)...

It is not stuff at a non-religious occasion whatsoever... it is a special occasion that is totally seperate after a sports event.

Calm down. Why all the YELLING?

Your the one that need to calm down. Yelling is a post that is completely in caps.. Emphasising is using the upper case to make a point on a select word or phrase.

publicly parading one's religion

God forbid one be allowed to attend a special event after the game to worship freely. Others might think they are parading... Jesus should of only preached on the Sabbath and hid the rest of the week.


18 posted on 08/18/2007 2:32:56 AM PDT by LowOiL (Make youself a Duncan Hunter T-Shirt and wear it proudly to work...)
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To: Darkwolf377
So what if it's after the game and requires special tickets? What does that have to do with my point?

Because you said "stuff at non-religious occassions". Thus the very reason I highlighted a couple of words in my post (which you got all huffy and claimed I yelled)...

It is not stuff at a non-religious occasion whatsoever... it is a special occasion that is totally seperate after a sports event.

Calm down. Why all the YELLING?

Your the one that need to calm down. Yelling is a post that is completely in caps.. Emphasising is using the upper case to make a point on a select word or phrase.

publicly parading one's religion

God forbid one be allowed to attend a special event after the game to worship freely. Others might think they are parading... Jesus should of only preached on the Sabbath and hid the rest of the week.

19 posted on 08/18/2007 2:33:38 AM PDT by LowOiL (Make youself a Duncan Hunter T-Shirt and wear it proudly to work...)
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To: LowOiL

Your = You’re


20 posted on 08/18/2007 2:34:46 AM PDT by LowOiL (Make youself a Duncan Hunter T-Shirt and wear it proudly to work...)
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