Sports and Prayer - Do they Mix?

If the question has to be asked, then that signifies that there is a problem. No, not the problem that most people think of: separation of church and state. Besides being highly contentious and politically charged, separation of church and state is a well documented, legally established, and to a large extent, peacefully settled issue. The AP article "Disagreements remain on what place prayer has in sport" clearly shows where the law and Supreme Court falls. Not having to be subjected to the religious beliefs or expressions of faith by the state is good. I wouldn't want it any other way. I should not have to listen to someone pray in order to attend a football game at a school, regardless of who is praying. Nor should an athlete be required to participate in or listen to a prayer lead by coach, chaplain, or student. Conversely, I shouldn't be banned from participating if I so choose.

No, the problem is not that of the government forcing religion or prohibiting it. The issue is not how to play sports with religion --the real issue is what role should religious beliefs play in everyday life? According to an oft quoted saying, going into a church does not make one a Christian any more than going into a McDonalds makes one a hamburger. But does walking out of a church make someone no longer a Christian? It seems as though that is what modern society is shifting toward.

The misunderstanding is between two simple words: private and personal. The words are very similar; in fact, private is used as a synonym of personal. So it is understandable, at first glance, how one might confuse the two. Yet, as any teacher of language, whether vernacular or foreign, would caution, even synonyms carry a different meanings, not all of which are interchangeable. For example, “vulgar” is a synonym of “vernacular” – the primary definition of vulgar is not equitable with vernacular, however. The same is true with private and personal.

Personal: Of or relating to a particular person; private

Private: Not appropriate for use or display in public; intimate

A simple Google search on private faith shows that several people confuse the words. Over 53,000 references. A personal faith, however, comes up with over 740,000 references. Admittedly, not in all cases are private and personal mutually exclusive, however the preponderance of evidence falls decidedly into the personal faith category.

Christianity never was meant to be a private faith. I do not know Pastor Peter Hong, nor do I know what he teaches, but one thing I do know is that he has hit the nail on the head:

“So much of what has gone wrong in the evangelical community is this notion that the Christian faith is a private faith,” says Hong. “It may begin as a personal faith, but it was never meant to be a private faith.”

We need to be careful that we do not fall into the trap of believing that we have a private faith. Jesus did say to pray in one’s closet, but that was not to hide the religion like this site states, but to keep from being prideful when praying.

The Washington basketball coach from the AP article stated that

“Every moment you walk, you want to live in such a manner that you are acknowledging God's presence. You're trying to be his advocate, his ambassador. I don't think we turn it on and off.”

Nor should we turn it off, for we were commanded:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.