James Mathisen sees sports as America’s biggest folk religion — complete with record books that act as scripture and halls of fame where saints are enshrined.
And every year, the true believers celebrate their holiest day: Super Bowl Sunday.
“What the Super Bowl embodies as a religious festival is the gathering of the clan and the making of meaning,” said Mathisen, a sociology professor at Wheaton College.
Thank you for settling the discussion with your dogmatic... albeit broad biblical application krestal. If my televison worked I'd be convicted to get rid of it. But I don't remember saying I loved anything of the world??
Matt 5:44 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you"
Just obeying commands Mike!
BTW You said "anyone" was that a typographical error on your part?
1John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever"
As far as worshipping football, while there may be a grain of truth, some of us just enjoy watching competitive athletic endeavors and not simply for the violence...the MVP's are often the more finese positions-QB or wide receivers. But if you noticed the way that this generation acts during the rock and roll half time show, now that comes close to worship.
Not that it's a big deal, I know. You are right, if you think it, what you said fits in the parable too: it's bound to rain (God is bound to visit) on the "Super Bowl" (the convergence of men's affairs) when they're having it in Florida.
HAHA! It was the first "Super Bowl" that it rained, and it rained the whole game! A sign of latter rain, the strategic parablez must adjust in the rain, I tell ye.
Many, many, many, many years ago, I read a thought piece in a newspaper which compared football to religion, so this fellow is decades behind, but the football stadium is shaped like a Roman Coliseum and a cheerleader's were something like the Vestal Virgins. No doubt, football on either side of the Atlantic, as many aspects of a religion. Most of the congregations at the gains, like ceremony, like color, and want to do no thinking -- it reminds you of the Islamic faith and Catholicism.
COMMENTS | 
No doubt, football on either side of the Atlantic, as many aspects of a religion. Most of the congregations at the gains, like ceremony, like color, and want to do no thinking -- it reminds you of the Islamic faith and Catholicism. 
beaver: "
mike
maybe you'd like to pick a more suitable adjective.
my, my,..."
