Rethinking the Wisdom of Organized Sports?

[Nahum]

I have always been an opponent of our stance regarding organized sports which the manual refers to as "wordly sports and amusements".

Many of you may remember that my son plays high school basketball (dressed modestly). I have always followed sports. It's the first section of the newspaper I read. When I click on cnn.com I always click the sports tab first. I have always considered this a harmless hobby.

But have you given attention to the sports page lately? Almost every major sport is involved in some sort of scandal.

1. The NBA just found out a veteran referee, with ties to the mafia, has been shaving points from games that he placed bets on. The mafia has already sent out hits to kill the ref.

2. Major League Baseball is dealing with a steroid scandal that won't go away. It's not just Barry Bonds. There are many pitchers and utility players who have been caught cheating. In an interview earlier this week, Curt Shilling announced thathe feels like steroid use is rampant among MLB players.

Then there is the conspiracy theory that asks "did St Louis really win
the World Series last year, or did Detroit pitcher's purposefully throw it away?" Their pitchers made five throwing errors in five games and their ace starter was caught with a sticky substance on his hand.

3. Cycling just ousted the leader of this year's Tour de France because of doping.

4. Michael Vick, arguably the face of the National Football League was suspended because the FBI says he was the ring leader of an illegal dogfighting scandal.

Is this really something you want to support and be involved in?

Is it something you want your kids to follow?

Is it time to rethink your stance concerning organized sports?

[Malvaro]

a) other than a casual fan, no....
b) and no....
c) and no.... once again....

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I have always been an opponent of our stance regarding organized sports which the manual refers to as "wordly sports and amusements".

Many of you may remember that my son plays high school basketball (dressed modestly). I have always followed sports. It's the first section of the newspaper I read. When I click on cnn.com I always click the sports tab first. I have always considered this a harmless hobby.

But have you given attention to the sports page lately? Almost every major sport is involved in some sort of scandal.

1. The NBA just found out a veteran referee, with ties to the mafia, has been shaving points from games that he placed bets on. The mafia has already sent out hits to kill the ref.

2. Major League Baseball is dealing with a steroid scandal that won't go away. It's not just Barry Bonds. There are many pitchers and utility players who have been caught cheating. In an interview earlier this week, Curt Shilling announced thathe feels like steroid use is rampant among MLB players.

Then there is the conspiracy theory that asks "did St Louis really win
the World Series last year, or did Detroit pitcher's purposefully throw it away?" Their pitchers made five throwing errors in five games and their ace starter was caught with a sticky substance on his hand.

3. Cycling just ousted the leader of this year's Tour de France because of doping.

4. Michael Vick, arguably the face of the National Football League was suspended because the FBI says he was the ring leader of an illegal dogfighting scandal.

Is this really something you want to support and be involved in?

Is it something you want your kids to follow?

Is it time to rethink your stance concerning organized sports?

So you are judging all sports by the actions of a few?

[DividedThigh]

casual life long sports fan, full time jesus fanatic, little room for fanaticism for any other or thing, lol, i do agree that letting kids play sports is good in moderation, i was denied that in my youth, and regret others decisions, my children wont mine, loo,dt:sshhh

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by revrandy

So you are judging all sports by the actions of a few?

Not necessarily, it just seems there is so much drug abuse and lack of integrity involved.

Can we really say these problems are limited to a few?

[MrsMcD]

PP,

I definitely don't want my child to follow most of the athletes today. We are Georgia folks so Vick has been someone that we have kept up with through the years. I hope that he gets what he deserves for what he has been involved in. Our kids need to see that there is punishment for doing wrong even for big name athletes.

We were watching a show that Shaq has on ABC tv called "Shaq's Big Challenge." He is doing a great thing with the kids. We need more positive influence for our kids.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by MrsMcD

PP,

I definitely don't want my child to follow most of the athletes today. We are Georgia folks so Vick has been someone that we have kept up with through the years. I hope that he gets what he deserves for what he has been involved in. Our kids need to see that there is punishment for doing wrong even for big name athletes.

We were watching a show that Shaq has on ABC tv called "Shaq's Big Challenge." He is doing a great thing with the kids. We need more positive influence for our kids.

Agreed.

There are athletes who are good role models. When Kurt Warner was in St Louis he was always actively involved in charitable causes and ministry.

Of late, greed has reared its ugly head in every major sport. You've got to think that filters down to the high school level. A kid will do steroids if he thinks that's what everyone does and it's his only ticket to the big show.

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Not necessarily, it just seems there is so much drug abuse and lack of integrity involved.

Can we really say these problems are limited to a few?

I think that any profession that becomes more about money than that profession seems to lead to this junk...

For Instance I know of many guys who sell cars that do drugs...

I was talking to a guy from Kingsport Tn and he was telling me that the drug problem is so huge in that city it's hard to find an employee that doesnt' do drugs... they can't pass the test....

Do I disuade my kids from moving to Kingsport?

I think that as Soloman said Train the kids and part of that training is to recognize the bad for what it is... communicate with your kids daily.. ask questions...

I'm not defending the scum... but there are many good players who keep their noses clean out there to.. they just aren't news worthy and don't sell Newspapers...

[SDG]

This is really about me being a better athlete than you are ... right ... PP?

[RandyWayne]

Sports is big business and whenever you have big business you have big money and where ever there is big money you get corruption. Twas ever thus.

All in all though considering how much $$$ is involved in the NFL and MLB, I marvel at how little corruption there is! Both in the organizations and in the players lives. I am still watching my (slowly sinking) Brewers and we'll be watching our (slowly sinking) Packers this Fall, and will probably even be able to get to a game or two.

Then there is the mixed-martial arts cage matches..... Oh ya!