InfoAnda - Book explores evangelical monopoly in sports world

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

China looks to revive 'beautiful game' | 28 January 2010
Australian stars line up for bushfire victims | 14 March 2009
SKorea's industrial production plunges in November | 30 December 2008

Militants attacks Indian camp in Afghanistan | 11 April 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Book explores evangelical monopoly in sports world

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Book explores evangelical monopoly in sports world By JAY LINDSAY,Associated Press Writer - 2 hours 23 minutes ago Send IM Story Print BOSTON – A toss left, a quick break past the defense, and it was obvious Philadelphia Eagles running back Herb Lusk was headed to the end zone. The real surprise came when he arrived 70 yards later. Lusk dropped to a knee in the NFL's first public end zone prayer. High-profile expressions of faith by athletes have become routine in pro sports since Lusk's October 1977 run. A new book by religion writer Tom Krattenmaker explores how it happened, and asks whether it's a good thing. "Some love it, some really resent it. The comedians have a field day with it," said Krattenmaker, author of "Onward Christian Athletes." From the numerous Lusk copycats, to prayer circles at the 50-yard line, to jubilant players praising God in postgame interviews, an often conservative voice of the Christian faith is now commonplace in American professional sports. That reflects decades of influence by evangelical Christian groups in locker rooms and a belief among some Christian athletes that their visibility is a gift they should use to proclaim their faith. Krattenmaker says the problem is that they're reaching a sporting public with increasingly pluralistic religious convictions, or no religion at all. "There are many secular fans who really feel annoyed by that kind of religious expression," he said in an interview. "Even people who are religious themselves often resent this situation where athletes talk about God in this big moment of victory, sometimes seeming to imply God gave them the victory." But Tennessee Titans All-Pro center Kevin Mawae said his Christianity is part of who he is, and he can't separate it from his life as an athlete or anywhere else. "The fact that some people are jaded toward religion or faith shouldn't stop a player from expressing his faith in public," Mawae said. There's no intent to alienate people, only to share Biblical truth, said Vince Nauss, president of Baseball Chapel, which provides chaplains to every major league baseball team. "If there's an exclusivity, it's because Jesus put it out there," Nauss said. "So I don't think there's anything to apologize for, or to dance around in a politically correct environment." The influence of Christianity in locker rooms can be traced to people such as baseball pioneer Branch Rickey, the executive who brought Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1954, Rickey agreed to help college football coach Don McClanen found the influential Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Baseball Chapel was established for players like ex-New York Yankee Bobby Richardson, who was mobbed at local churches on Sundays, Nauss said. By 1975, it had established programs for every major league team. Another prominent group, the international sports ministry Athletes in Action, places about half of the NFL's chaplains. Krattenmaker said evangelical ministries have a near monopoly in pro clubhouses because they seized the chance, then won the teams' trust by not exploiting their access. Other faith groups simply haven't done the work, he said. "The conservative Christians got their upper hand in the sports world the old fashioned way," Krattenmaker said. "They earned it." Krattenmaker isn't asking pro athletes to stop talking about religion, just to be more sensitive in their tone and timing. He also sees a credibility-bruising selectivity in the theologically and politically conservative messages evangelicals in sports trumpet. In his book, for instance, he highlights retired Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy's public stance against same-sex marriage. But Jesus's teaching that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" doesn't get much attention among hyper-wealthy athletes, he said. Joe Price, author of "Rounding the Bases: Baseball and Religion in America," said evangelicals are driven by a unique "missionary urgency" to fulfill Christ's call to spread the Christian message to all nations. But he said spontaneous witnessing on TV broadcasts was akin to "early Christian preaching on a street corner," and can be easily resented or ignored. Retired NBA guard and 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward, an outspoken Christian, said when athletes publicly talk about Christianity, it's often just a reflection of the joy of the faith. "When people are excited about something, they want to share good news with people," Ward said. John White, who helped found Athletes in Action's sports ethics center, advocates training to help Christian pro athletes be reflective about what they say and aware of how their audience might respond. "I think there could be more measured communication, just some wisdom," said White, now a professor at Cedarville College. "It would probably challenge me if I saw them equally thanking God after a loss." Mawae said he knows outspoken Christian athletes will be held more accountable for what they say and do. "If you're going to go out there and pray in the end zone at the end of the game and give it all up or whatever, at the same time your actions off the field have to reflect who you are on the field," he said. Both Mawae and Ward have seen their character publicly questioned. Mawae is often named one of the NFL's dirtiest players in player polls _ something he has attributed to playing hard until "the echo of the whistle." In the 1997 NBA playoffs, Ward was suspended after being part of an ugly brawl with the Miami Heat. In 2001, he apologized after saying Jews were "stubborn" because they didn't accept Christ and had "blood on their hands." Ward said he tried to show his Christianity through his struggles. "I wanted people to see that I was real, but also to wanted (them) to see humility and how you handle certain situations and allowing your faith to kind of be shown through your hang ups," he said. Ward said he knows that everyone doesn't want to hear about his faith. But he said Christians are also exposed to messages in the media they don't want to hear, and there's a quick solution. "They can turn off the television," he said. _____ AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker contributed to this report from Nashville, Tenn. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Afghan leader seen naming technocrat-heavy cabinet Reuters - 1 hour 19 minutes ago 4 passenger trains get stuck under English Channel AP - 1 hour 35 minutes ago U.S.-led climate deal under threat in Copenhagen Reuters - 1 hour 40 minutes ago Report: US helped Yemen's strike against al-Qaida AP - 1 hour 40 minutes ago Climate deal bogged down in UN plenary AP - 2 hours 6 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Ailing Chrysler has nothing new for Detroit auto show 'Avatar' director Cameron gets Hollywood star Attacks on Greek ruling party offices ahead of debt talks Deadlock forces climate talks into overtime Thieves steal infamous Auschwitz death camp sign More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Brazilian confesses to sticking needles into two-year-old Tiger's wife Elin seeking divorce: reports Ryanair says deal for 200 Boeing aircraft collapses Boeing's Dreamliner in maiden flight British borrowing rockets to record high More Most Viewed » Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis Tiger's wife Elin seeking divorce: reports Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism Tiger Woods' girlfriend apologizes in TV interview More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Saturday, 19 December 2009
Lebanon ship rescuers find 14 survivors, nine bodies
Snowy Europe cold snap brings transport chaos
Swiss and Google reach privacy accord pending verdict
Iranian forces take over Iraq oil well
British borrowing rockets to record high
EU employers concerned about Chinese protectionism
French ex-president Chirac faces new corruption charges
Mexico turns to navy to bolster flagging drug war |
Iraq: Iran oil well takeover violated sovereignty
US-TECH Summary
Twitter hacked by "Iranian Cyber Army"
Karzai to keep pro-West ministers: Afghan officials |
Google in talks to buy Yelp: report
Morocco yields to pressure, activist back home |
French court rules against Google
Colombia says Mexico capo death weakens cartel ties |
Bruised Berlusconi to capitalize on assault |
Twitter hacked by 'Iranian Cyber Army'
Support lower for U.N. text on religion defamation |
U.S. trade court rules for Kodak in patent fight |
Deadlock forces climate talks into overtime
Va. man convicted of in-home indecent exposure
Suicide bomber near Pakistan mosque kills 10
U.S. and Russia close to agreeing arms deal
'Details' still outstanding in new US arms treaty: Russia
Hundreds demand Papuan independence
Slain Fla. girl's mom may still face death penalty
Massacre suspect mobbed by journalists in Philippines
GOP signals more delays ahead for health bill
Vietnam's 'illegal' Buddhists seek French asylum
'Pink Panther' jewel thieves sentenced in Serbia
High-speed ferry ends service from Maine to Canada
Mosque bomb kills 11 as US drone targets NW Pakistan
Storms flood Fla., bear snow for mid-Atlantic
Volunteer work resolves NYC cat-stomping case
Rights group accuses Mongolia over 2008 rioting
New CDC estimate: 1 in 110 children have autism
US official: Obama, Chinese take 'step forward'
Feds: Arrests in Africa link al-Qaida, drugs
Chinese environmental group wins two cases
US says China agrees to end brand subsidies WTO case
Keira Knightley wins mixed reviews in stage debut
Chinese environmental group wins 2 cases
India to grow strongly but food inflation a worry
North Korea sets new prices, uncertainties remain
Jon and Kate Gosselin divorce finalized |
Michael Jackson tribute concert scrapped |
Spain's 'guardian angels' help reduce prison suicides
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Keira Knightley wins mixed reviews in stage debut
Jackson tribute organizer in liquidation
Beauty is between eyes, mouth of the beholden
ABC Newsman Charles Gibson's last day at work
Afghan president faces first test with cabinet choices
Afghan leader keeps top ministers in new cabinet |
Twitter hacked by 'Iranian Cyber Army'
Three Eurostar trains stuck in Channel Tunnel
Iraq accuses Iran of seizing oil well near border
Ailing Chrysler has nothing new for Detroit auto show
Stop threats if you want a nuclear deal, Ahmadinejad tells West
'Avatar' director Cameron gets Hollywood star
Iraq protests against Iranian takeover of oil well
Fifty Serbian citizens leave on first visa-free EU visit
Sales of music video games plummet in 2009
Attacks on Greek ruling party offices ahead of debt talks
Trade court rules for Kodak in patent fight
Deadlock forces climate talks into overtime
French court rules against Google
Thieves steal infamous Auschwitz death camp sign
Uganda anti-gay measure a bad precedent |
Trade court rules for Kodak in patent fight
RIM outshines Palm but fails to dispel all doubts |
Report: US helped Yemen's strike against al-Qaida
Sales of music video games plummet in 2009 |
Cambodia to deport Uighurs despite persecution fears
P & G Issues Recall For Dayquil Cold & Flu Liquicaps Due To Lack Of Child-Resistant Backing
Google in talks to buy review site Yelp: reports |
Philippine volcano evacuees facing 'months away'
Book explores evangelical monopoly in sports world
Majority Of CEOs Surveyed Plan To Increase Workforce Over Next 1.5 Years
Verizon Wireless says early termination fees fair |
SEA Games: Inquest starts for table-topping Thailand
Correction: Ganja Gourmet story
Restaurant: Discount With Grilled Cheese Sandwich Tattoo
CDC: Rare infection passed on by Miss. organ donor
Child, 4, Found Drinking Beer Wearing Dress
Cambodia to expel 20 Uighurs despite US protest
Death Penalty Use Decreases In U.S.
Kansas girl says 'Superman' lifted vehicle off her
Patent Battle Reset For NewRiver and Newkirk Products
Chinese-sculpted winter wonderland in Washington
Researchers: Umbilical Cord New Option For Stem Cell Harvesting
Beijing vehicles exceed four million: state media
Man arrested after throwing paint on Vegas sign
French Court Fines Google $430,000 For Violating Copyright Law In Digitizing, Publishing Books Online, Orders Google To Stop
Europe laments 'lack of ambition' in climate deal
Book: Prosecutors were prepared to indict Clintons
Obama sends New Year's greetings to Hmong
Gay Couple Argue Over Divorce
Justice Department Asks Court Not To Lift ACORN Funding Ban
Australian PM says climate talks nearly collapsed
Pakistani c.bank buys 120 bln rupees of govt paper
World air travel falls record 3.1 percent in 2009
Eminem named artist of decade on U.S. charts |
"Avatar" midnight screenings pull in $3.5 mln
Alicia Keys finds freedom from Motown sound |
"Alien" screenwriter Dan O'Bannon dead at 63
Madonna leads list of 2009's top music tours |
The five legal cases that defined the year in music |
Alien screenwriter Dan O'Bannon dead at 63 |
Officials: Pot found on 2 Lil Wayne tour buses
Kashmir's disabled cricketer dreams of India match
Jackson's 'Captain EO' to return to Disneyland
Rising affluence sees Beijing cars pass 4 mln mark
Flying Chihuahuas: Dogs change coast in big exodus
Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles files for divorce
ABC News' Charles Gibson signs off after 34 years
Eminem named artist of decade on U.S. charts
Madonna leads list of 2009's top music tours
Iraqi troops in standoff with Iran
Iran, Iraq seek diplomatic end to border dispute |
Google phone revolution or misdirection?
Karzai tries to please all with new Afghan cabinet
Nigeria oil rebels claim attack over talks delay |
Lebanon's Hariri in Syria for landmark talks
Cambodia to deport Uighurs despite persecution fears |
U.S. helped Yemen with hardware, intelligence: report |
Lebanon's Hariri in Syria for landmark talks |
Iran ready to examine nuclear fuel swap offers: FM
Strong quake hits Taiwan, minor damage reported |
Karzai tries to please all backers with new Afghan cabinet
Four al Qaeda suspects found in Yemen hospital |
Lebanon's Hariri in Syria on first trip as PM
Suspected insurgents kill 3 Buddhists in Thai south |
Pope John Paul moves closer to sainthood |
Karzai presents new Afghan Cabinet list
Chinese vice president arrives on Myanmar visit
15 rescued Sri Lankan refugees leave Indonesia
Key defense spending vote in Senate on Saturday
Nominees for Afghanistan's new Cabinet
The nation's weather
Pakistani ruling party grapples with amnesty's end
U.S.-Russia arms deal unlikely before Feb-newspaper
Suspected insurgents kill 3 Buddhists in Thai south
Zardari convenes Pakistan crisis talks
Brazil AG's appeal backs US dad in custody battle
Pakistan ruling party grapples with court decision
China's vice-president arrives in Myanmar for talks
Honda to build fifth plant in China: report
Beijing enlists LA Lakers to promote city: report
Restaurant: Discount With Grilled Cheese Sandwich Tattoo
Child, 4, Found Drinking Beer Wearing Dress
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01