Atheism in the NBA

[trickybilly]

As a devout member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I was curious to read this story about Arian Foster

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13369076/houston-texans-arian-foster-goes-public-not-believing-god

Especially this part:

The separation of church and football -- not to mention church and public education -- blurred at Tennessee, Foster says. Coaches, led by head coach Phil Fulmer, scheduled trips to Sunday church services as team-building exercises. Foster asked to be excused. He was denied. (The school confirmed that these team-building exercises to churches took place.) Word spread: Foster was arrogant, selfish, difficult to coach. "They just thought I was being a rebel and didn't want to participate in the team activities," Foster says.

I have this CRAZY theory that once all the world becomes secularised or converts to THE Church, it will be a MUCH better place, but whatever - doesn't matter.

It just irks me that guys literally cite God in the interview with Sager, but if an athlete was to say "well today we just went out there and played hard, and, personally, I have a deep down belief that there is no deity and that underlying genetic structure and a good supportive family and community environment has led to my success", it would possibly create a team schism.

I've heard that Ginobili, and even Rondo (yep, another thread about rondo) are on record for being atheists - does anyone know anyone else

Erm, end rant. Please comment.

[littleteapot]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAA1xgTTw9w

[alldaboston]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAA1xgTTw9w

TP

[Surferdad]

Don't care what anybody's religion or non religion anyone is. I also don't care if players draw faith from god. Just doesn't matter to me.

[trickybilly]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAA1xgTTw9w

TP for quoting an atheist.

[max215]

Foster's a pretty interesting dude and I really enjoyed the "Openly Secular" video he did. If you haven't seen it, he says some pretty interesting stuff IIRC. Didn't know about Rondo and Ginobili. Need to look into that.

[littleteapot]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAA1xgTTw9w

TP for quoting an atheist.

I'm an atheist. I don't understand why you're so upset that Atheists don't fit in with the other millionaires playing pro sports. I'm sure Arian Foster managed to get over his social rejection in the locker room.

I would be more worried about ISIS than Phil Fulmer.

[mef730]

I'm a Frisbeetarian.

I firmly believe that after you die, your soul exits your body and gets stuck on the roof.*

Mike

*Don't know where I saw that first, but it didn't come from me. I only wish I had come up with it.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm a fan of basketball. I'm also a Christian. Let me explain what I mean by Christian, because there is a bit of misconception out there.

I believe that my sins were an offense to God (and destructive to me), but that God provided his Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross so that I could be justly forgiven for my sin (God can't just ignore sin, or sweep it under the rug). Through faith in Christ, I have a new life and a real relationship with the Creator of the universe. The grace that God gave me has taught/is teaching me to turn from my sin and to embrace God's love for me.

That's what I believe as a Christian. I respect those who disagree. I enjoy good conversations with atheists, Muslims, Jews, and all other people, but I think everyone should consider the gospel of Jesus.

However, I do not think it is ok to mandate religious events in secular environments, even in the churchy south. People need to come to a conclusion about Jesus by themselves. It is contrary to the gospel to force it through anything like a sword, gun, bomb, but it is also contrary to the gospel to coerce through anything as small as playing time, job opportunities, or peer pressure.

[Eja117]

What if some dude like Birdman all covered head to toes in tats says something like "Hey man, I've been working hard and you gotta believe in yourself!"

Does that count?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

What if some dude like Birdman all covered head to toes in tats says something like "Hey man, I've been working hard and you gotta believe in yourself!"

Does that count?

Was that to me? I'm not sure if you were talking about my comment or a previous one.

[trickybilly]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAA1xgTTw9w

TP for quoting an atheist.

I'm an atheist. I don't understand why you're so upset that Atheists don't fit in with the other millionaires playing pro sports. I'm sure Arian Foster managed to get over his social rejection in the locker room.

I would be more worried about ISIS than Phil Fulmer.

Because,  every time I hear some reference to the "strength that God gives me", it feel like I'm listening to an ISIS propaganda video... Guess I just read too much into things.

[fairweatherfan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAA1xgTTw9w

TP for quoting an atheist.

I'm an atheist. I don't understand why you're so upset that Atheists don't fit in with the other millionaires playing pro sports. I'm sure Arian Foster managed to get over his social rejection in the locker room.

I would be more worried about ISIS than Phil Fulmer.

Because,  every time I hear some reference to the "strength that God gives me", it feel like I'm listening to an ISIS propaganda video... Guess I just read too much into things.

As an atheist I'd say you're just overgeneralizing.

That said it's crappy to mandate or quasi-mandate that a sports team attend religious services.  Especially when your future earnings could be drastically affected by your coach's opinion of you.  And doubly so at a state school. 

[spikelovetheCelts]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAA1xgTTw9w

TP for quoting an atheist.

I'm an atheist. I don't understand why you're so upset that Atheists don't fit in with the other millionaires playing pro sports. I'm sure Arian Foster managed to get over his social rejection in the locker room.

I would be more worried about ISIS than Phil Fulmer.

Because,  every time I hear some reference to the "strength that God gives me", it feel like I'm listening to an ISIS propaganda video... Guess I just read too much into things.

As an atheist I'd say you're just overgeneralizing.

That said it's crappy to mandate or quasi-mandate that a sports team attend religious services.  Especially when your future earnings could be drastically affected by your coach's opinion of you.  And doubly so at a state school.

Many Coaches have been Men of God. I don't really know of a player that played for Say Tom Landry or Bobby Bowdon that lost Playing time for not believing. Pop is not a Christian but the Spurs teams back when Avery Johnspn and David Robinson were on the team had bible studies before the game and all of the team were at some of them Avery told me.

[danglertx]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAA1xgTTw9w

TP for quoting an atheist.

I'm an atheist. I don't understand why you're so upset that Atheists don't fit in with the other millionaires playing pro sports. I'm sure Arian Foster managed to get over his social rejection in the locker room.

I would be more worried about ISIS than Phil Fulmer.

Because,  every time I hear some reference to the "strength that God gives me", it feel like I'm listening to an ISIS propaganda video... Guess I just read too much into things.

You do.

If Foster didn't like how things were at Tennessee he should have gone somewhere else.  Nobody made him go there.  Maybe he got a rep for a bad attitude and being entitled because he is. 

And to be clear, I would consider myself a non-devout atheist or a faith challenged Christian.  I do respect those who have faith and don't feel like it is my job to challenge their faith.