Part 6: How Faith Becomes Divisive in a Sport Team

Books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and even television reports have recounted over the last several years the divisive nature of some Evangelical Christian ministries in the locker rooms of Major League Baseball, college and NFL Football, college and NBA Basketball and other sports. The division appears when one ministry seeks to elevate its work above another, when one set of players treat non-believing teammates as second class citizens, or when the ministries give extra privileges to those who attend chapels or Bible studies. Division is created when Christian players shun other believing teammates who are connected with “the other ministry.” Faith divides a team when the Christians imply that religious activity leads directly to greater success on the field of competition. Christians are divisive when they treat yet-to-believe teammates as outsiders. Christian ministries, chaplains and others are divisive when they manipulate players into making religious decisions. Sports ministries are divisive and often counterproductive when they use their relationships with the players and coaches to solicit them for donations. The will chooses.

Part 5 – Abuse of Players

“This makes him tougher.” “We’re breaking his will to then build him back up.” “This is really good for her.” “She needs this discipline to rid her of foolishness.” “We’re a winning program, but he’s a loser.” “You don’t deserve to win.” You’re not worthy of wearing this uniform.” “This team is for winners. You’re a loser.” Such language is used by some coaches and even fans to rationalize their abuse of the competitors with their programs. The mind justifies.
Many of us who have had abusive coaches know the pain of playing for them. Occasionally abusive coaches and their tactics appear in the media.

Part 4 – Racism in Sport.

“It’s not fair to the sport to hire under-qualified coaches.” “We are keeping undesirable influences out of our game.” “We are the guardians of the purity of our sport.” “I am protecting the game from outsiders.” These and similar words are often used to justify racist attitudes and bigoted actions among those who occupy the seats of power in the world of sport. The mind justifies.

Part 3 – A Christian look at the “Win at all costs” ethic in sport. 

“Second place is the first loser.” “I have to win because there are no post-game interviews for second place.” “There will be no opportunity for proclamation of the gospel if I’m not the winner.” “The Lord wants me to be a winner.” “The Lord had His hand in this win.” “It’s the Lord’s will for us to be champions.” “Christians should be the head and not the tail.” I’m sure we’ve all heard such language from the mouths of Christian competitors in the past. Some of us may have even uttered such. Sadly, I’m also sure such statements have been made by Christians who have skirted the rules, have competed unethically or have otherwise chosen to pursue the win above any other consideration, even above obvious Christian ethical standards. The mind justifies. 

“I admit that I used this substance as a part of the recovery and rehab process.” “I felt that I owed it to my team to get back to the court as quickly as I could.” “I was desperate to get back onto the field so I could contribute to my team.” “I did not want to let my teammates down by not being ready to play.” These are common expressions by competitors who have been exposed as using substances like steroids, human growth hormone, diuretics and other substances which are banned by their sports leagues. Some are illegal substances as well. They try to justify their use by cloaking it in language which seems almost noble. The mind justifies.