Sky-pointing sports people

[Minimalist]

Does this misguided self-indulgence, disguised as some kind of humility, infuriate anyone else?

Yes.

[Fake Messiah]

To me it seems very aggressive and inappropriate, especially at a public schools.

[drfuzzy]

And then there is the second absolutely horrifying thought that people could actually believe that god cares about the outcome of their silly little game, but doesn't care about starving children - abused children - raped children - homeless children - sex slaves - - - all of the people who are crying out to god for help, but NO . . . he's hanging out at football games and helping my friends find their car keys.  Right.  Sure.  They don't care about people who are suffering, they only want to feel that they're SPECIAL.

I don't think they actually think that way at all.

I think it's just that they don't really think about it at the moment.

Like I said, it's easy to become wrapped up in our own lives and make a big deal out of things that are very important to us but don't matter at all in the grand scheme of things, and certainly aren't as important as starving children in Africa or whatever. We're all guilty of this at times.

I thought about this while I went shopping.  And I appreciate the voice of reason and understanding that you present, CL.  
However . . . I don't think the "oh, there's no harm, it's innocent, it's a little moment of gratitude to god" quite flies.  True, the majority of the people committing this action are probably not thinking about the greater implications at all.  But to dismiss it as a harmless act of giving thanks is to perpetuate it.  
    I was reminded of an article about saying "I'm blessed".  I think you would enjoy it.  (seriously.  you will.)  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-dann...68963.html    It's pretty much the same thing.  And it's time for Christians to stand up and tell other Christians to stop - - it would only bring about positive change.

[LadyForCamus]

F*ck sports people. I don't give two sh*ts about what they point at and I don't see why anybody pays attention to them in the first place. How has humanity EVER benefited from some moron kicking a ball, or running 100m 0.1s faster than other guys? How is that even entertaining, let alone important.

Yeah, and then to add to the ridiculousness, let's pay them MILLIONS of dollars per year for it. Completely idiotic. [emoji36]

[Catholic_Lady]

Dr Fuzzy, I liked this article very much. Thanks for sharing it. I have always felt the same way myself, though still don't know if I'd go as far as to say it's actually harmful, in and of itself. But I do see how it can be if it leads counter productivity.   

My mom always told me that praying isn't supposed to be about praying for "things" that you want, or for things that you want to have happen. But rather, it should be about praying for strength if we're going through a rough time, or praying for the will to use our talents/treasures to help others around us, etc etc. And even if God weren't real, I think praying for these things is still good because it puts the person in the right mindset and the right attitude.

[drfuzzy]

Dr Fuzzy, I liked this article very much. Thanks for sharing it. I have always felt the same way myself, though still don't know if I'd go as far as to say it's actually harmful, in and of itself. But I do see how it can be if it leads counter productivity.   

My mom always told me that praying isn't supposed to be about praying for "things" that you want, or for things that you want to have happen. But rather, it should be about praying for strength if we're going through a rough time, or praying for the will to use our talents/treasures to help others around us, etc etc. And even if God weren't real, I think praying for these things is still good because it puts the person in the right mindset and the right attitude.

Here I am on an Atheist Forum, agreeing with a Catholic.     Yes, I was always told that prayer should be thankfulness for what we have, and that if we ask for anything, ask for strength and understanding and to do what's right.   And even if God isn't real - - there are meditation exercises for thankfulness and insight and calm.  And to touch on the OP for just one second more - really, would Jesus approve of the public posturing?  I believe it's in Matthew "when you pray, pray in secret" - - if you pray to be SEEN praying, then you've been seen - as Jesus said "they already have their reward".   I still play for Catholic Mass.  I love working with the choir.  They are good people.  I just don't discuss my lack of faith with them.

[Catholic_Lady]

Yeah, that's a good point. I don't know how Jesus feels about that... if it's indifferent or if He actually doesn't like it.

You work for a Catholic mass Choir?? No way! I had no idea lol. I love mass music.

[drfuzzy]

Yeah, that's a good point. I don't know how Jesus feels about that... if it's indifferent or if He actually doesn't like it.

You work for a Catholic mass Choir?? No way! I had no idea lol. I love mass music.

We absolutely rocked out on "River in Judea" yesterday.  Great gospel piano part, boatloads of fun. I try not to wonder TOO much about why they're singing about how a river prays.     Sang all the verses of "Blest Are They" too.  And the Catholic School kids did all the readings.  They were seriously cute.  Yep.  I was a self-employed musician for decades, and most self-employed musicians can't pay the bills without a church job - no matter what their actual beliefs are.  I finally have a "real" job.  I only play for this choir now, and I'm having a hard time letting go.

[Catholic_Lady]

That's great!