Religion in football

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Southern Methodist University. Representing a sect of Christianity?

Sure, Methodist is one Christian denomination and is included in the secular university's name. Otherwise, SMU and its curriculum are about as Methodist as 2 other schools historically founded with Methodist roots, Syracuse and BU (the Boston version).

Now, back to the beach and sort of observing the crucifixion of Christ under cloudless blue skies. Snorkeling on coral reefs in various turquoise-hued waters at 5 followed by this morning's tuna catch for dinner. That's a big ol' alleiluah!

http://www.billboard.com/articles/new

 

[huskysupporter]

No I'm not. The coach is a Christian like many others in the south. Something you and others on here just don't get. Mark Richt is a big Christian and does prayers and a number of other "Christian" things. This is an Atheist group going after a coach because of his Christian beliefs.
I for one am tired of atheist stopping everything that Christians do. I don't see them ever criticizing other religions it is just Christians. Like I said this is coming to a head and the Christians in this country will not put up with this much longer. Nor should they.

I am an atheist and I think you seriously mischaracterize their "anti religion" stance. Just because you are an atheist doesn't mean you are anti religion.

 

[Palatine]

There is nothing to suggest that his decisions aren't made by religious participation. You wanna know how to be sure and eliminate the ambiguity? Don't have team coordinated religious functions. It's that simple.

Proving the negative?

 

[Fairfield_1st]

I am a Christian, but don't believe in what is being done at Clemson and possibly other public schools is OK. I don't believe the coach should be bringing his religious beliefs in at all. What if I was something other than Christian and Clemson was my dream school from my early days. Now they have a coach there who's beliefs are not the same as mine and possibly/probably quotes things to the team that I don't believe and to some degree pushes his religion. Should I have to endure that at a public university. No. His beliefs should remain entirely away from the team. No prayers and no team trips unless he schedules rides to all the local religious centers. Separate church and state and by him telling recruits he's a Christian that is crossing the separation line.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

It is clear that Dabo Sweeney is better off at SMU, Baylor, etc.

There could be a problem with SMU if Sweeney is a Baptist as from what I understand Baptists and Methodists don't really get along.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

What Sweeney is doing does appear to be a bit over the top but I would have far more of a problem with it if it were a player or two who filed the complaint instead of a watchdog group who likely is more concerned with forcing their own beliefs on everyone (and getting their name in the press in the process) than they are with the idea that someone may be forcing their beliefs on others.

I would not equate attendance in church meetings with off season workouts (under the premise that both are voluntary in name only) as absence from church meetings will not put you at a competitive disadvantage with those who do attend. I do believe however that peer pressure would exist (even if in many cases it would be primarily self inflicted) and this may cause some players to attend under less than what can objectively be considered free will.

 

[KOD594]

Looking at it from perspective from someone born and raised in Northeast it seems to me that Dabo has gone a little overboard and if my son was being recruited there I would probably suggest going elsewhere that might be less expressive about their beliefs, but I am from Northeast and Clemson is in South Carolina and while people in South have same religious freedoms we have they are more open in expressing it. I am sure while mostly Christian there are and have been non Christian or non religious players on Clemson and have not heard of any Clemson current or former player or recruit complain about and until such time they complain it is a non issue. Ironically this will probably help Clemson recruiting in long run in their recruiting territory.

Furthermore seems like this group is out for publicity as there are many more religious encroachments to be concerned about in this world from religious genocide in Africa, countries where the "wrong" religions can not vote or hold office by decree of religion in power, child abuse by some clergy in all the major religions who are being protected, Muslim courts being in place of civil courts in some parts of UK and under discussion here for some area's, in a suburb north of NY city a extreme Jews religious sect runs and controls funding for town and couple of school districts and many non Jewish minority students suffer as a result but they vote as a bloc so no politician will ever challenge them. But guess why focus and work hard on real issues directly impacting people when you can get easy headlines from attacking Clemson football over an issue in which no one seems to be directly impacted.

 

[SubbaBub]

You anti-religous people never tell the truth. Nobody is forcing anyone to do anything. Every thing is VOLUNTARY.
"Participation in religious activities is purely voluntary"
You argument holds no weight.

Except, when it isn't. Understand that, and you will understand why it's a problem that FB coaches must adapt to they way the rest of corporate America has.

 

[SubbaBub]

That's you opinion, but down south things are much different than they are up here in the Northeast.

They tried that argument before, and lost.

Homogeny of faith in a particular locale is not a valid exemption to the First Amendment.

 

[Palatine]

Except, when it isn't. Understand that, and you will understand why it's a problem that FB coaches must adapt to they way the rest of corporate America has.

Except when you deny reality and pretend the facts fit your fantasy.

 

[uconnbill]

I am an atheist and I think you seriously mischaracterize their "anti religion" stance. Just because you are an atheist doesn't mean you are anti religion.

I see signs everywhere from Atheists groups protesting Christianity at any moment. Still waiting to see them protest other religions "my guess is they won't".

 

[uconnbill]

No one is making anyone pray or worship God or Jesus. This is his belief and if others on the team want to be part of it, they can. We have no problem in this country pushing beliefs that go against my beliefs on a daily occurrence, but that is the freedom we all enjoy.
I have no issue nor do his players, just atheist who have a problem with all things God, Jesus and Christianity.

 

[huskysupporter]

No one is making anyone pray or worship God or Jesus. This is his belief and if others on the team want to be part of it, they can. We have no problem in this country pushing beliefs that go against my beliefs on a daily occurrence, but that is the freedom we all enjoy.
I have no issue nor do his players, just atheist who have a problem with all things God, Jesus and Christianity.

Do you really think it is just atheists that have an issue? Seriously? You mention Jesus and Christianity. Do you believe there wouldn't be the same concern if Coach Sweeney was pushing the Muslim religion?

 

[formerlurker]

I respect all religions. Out of respect, how about we pick this conversation up after Easter?

 

[huskysupporter]

I respect all religions. Out of respect, how about we pick this conversation up after Easter?

I don't think anyone is bashing Christianity in this thread. But I have no problem tabling the discussion if anyone is offended.

 

[EJHarrington]

This is all about an anti-Christian group trying to get some cheap publicity,,,the same type of folks who try to ruin Christmas. I'm agnostic so I couldn't care less about religion but I don't like hardcore atheists trying to ruin things that other people VOLUNTARILY participate in.

 

[temery]

No one is making anyone pray or worship God or Jesus. This is his belief and if others on the team want to be part of it, they can. We have no problem in this country pushing beliefs that go against my beliefs on a daily occurrence, but that is the freedom we all enjoy.
I have no issue nor do his players, just atheist who have a problem with all things God, Jesus and Christianity.

If it were a Muslim doing the exact same thing, you'd be going ape$hit.

 

[formerlurker]

If it were a Muslim doing the exact same thing, you'd be going ape$hit.

You go ape$hit about some pretty stupid sh#t too my friend.

It's really "tolerance" we're talking about and I'd say we're all lacking in that department to a certain degree. I mean, I'm always right and I've learned to tolerate that. I just wish more people could be the same way.

 

[Nostical]

It's really "tolerance" we're talking about

No it's not. It's about an employee at a public university with uncommon influence and control overtly expressing his religious views and proselytizing his students (players) with meetings he claims are voluntary but are subtly coercive. As was stated above, OTA's are voluntary in name only. So are Dabo's religious meetings.

 

[formerlurker]

It's really "tolerance" we're talking about and I'd say we're all lacking in that department to a certain degree. I mean, I'm always right and I've learned to tolerate that. I just wish more people could be the same way.

No it's not. It's about an employee at a public university with uncommon influence and control overtly expressing his religious views and proselytizing his students (players) with meetings he claims are voluntary but are subtly coercive. As was stated above, OTA's are voluntary in name only. So are Dabo's religious meetings.

 

[temery]

He's right. This has nothing to do with tolerance.

 

[formerlurker]

He's right. This has nothing to do with tolerance.

If we're having an open dialog and you're taking some sort of stance, I'd love to know what that stance is.

 

[temery]

No I'm not. The coach is a Christian like many others in the south. Something you and others on here just don't get. Mark Richt is a big Christian and does prayers and a number of other "Christian" things. This is an Atheist group going after a coach because of his Christian beliefs.
I for one am tired of atheist stopping everything that Christians do. I don't see them ever criticizing other religions it is just Christians. Like I said this is coming to a head and the Christians in this country will not put up with this much longer. Nor should they.

It is not about his beliefs, it's about his actions.

 

[uconnbill]

If it were a Muslim doing the exact same thing, you'd be going ape$hit.

This is a Christian country and no ONE is forced to do it. You and others are clueless when it comes to the south and their belief in God and Jesus.

I will add that in South Carolina this is not a issue with 95% of the people there. This is the typical crap from the atheist who continue to try and change are country into a secularist "which will never happen".

 

[temery]

This is a Christian country and no ONE is forced to do it. You and others are clueless when it comes to the south and their belief in God and Jesus.

I will add that in South Carolina this is not a issue with 95% of the people there. This is the typical crap from the atheist who continue to try and change are country into a secularist "which will never happen".

I was born in the south, Bill.

 

[uconnbill]

I was born in the south, Bill.

Then you know. It is different there and I for one like it just the way it is when it comes to Jesus and God.

 

[temery]

Then you know. It is different there and I for one like it just the way it is when it comes to Jesus and God.

I care about the 5% you referred to in a previous reply. And it's actually a lot more than 5%. Catholics were not very welcome in the bible belt.

 

[Nostical]

This is a Christian country.

How about a "predominately" Christian country. For sure, the majority of believers here happen to be Christian, but should that mere preponderance in numbers control our nation's designation? After all, while our planet is predominately blue, we still call it Earth not Water.

 

[Tenspro2002]

This is a Christian country and no ONE is forced to do it. You and others are clueless when it comes to the south and their belief in God and Jesus.

I will add that in South Carolina this is not a issue with 95% of the people there. This is the typical crap from the atheist who continue to try and change are country into a secularist "which will never happen".

Surprise, mother****er. This is a non-denominational country. No one religion is privileged over any other, regardless of how populous, loud, ignorant, or obnoxious its members are.

 

[uconnbill]

How about a "predominately" Christian country. For sure, the majority of believers here happen to be Christian, but should that mere preponderance in numbers control our nation's designation? After all, while our planet is predominately blue, we still call it Earth not Water.

I agree with that as that fits better than my term I used.