Forget the poor and oppressed, is God actually concerned with…sports? A new survey released yesterday by the Public Religion Research Institute found that nearly 3 in 10 Americans (27%) believe that God plays a role in determining which team wins a sporting event. A significant higher number of people (53%) believe God rewards athletes who have faith with good health and success on the field.
These numbers release just days before this weekend’s Super Bowl and at a time when there is growing concern regarding the safety of children playing football. On Monday, ESPN reported President Obama as saying that if he had a son, he would think long and hard before allowing his son to play [football].
2012 was deemed the year of the Outspoken Christian Athlete by Relevant Magazine. The article cited NY Jets QB Tim Tebow, Pro Golfer Bubba Watson, Houston Rockets Point Guard Jeremy Lin, and Olympic Gold Medal winning gymnast Gabby Douglas, among others, as reasons for the rise of public Christianity in sports.
So, what do you think? Does God play a role in determining which team wins a sporting event like this Sunday’s Super Bowl between the 49ers and the Ravens? Does God reward those athletes who publicly praise him on the field of play?
Photo Credits: NFL.com / Reuters