Jesus and the Super Bowl

Last night, the post-game coverage of the Super Bowl was inspiring. I generally have a certain amount of disdain for the cult of sports. With the Super Bowl being the biggest pagan orgy of all American sporting events, it was good to see such positive messages after XLI. Obviously, the main story was two [Christian] African-American coaches being in the Super Bowl for the first time. And Coaches that didn't have bullshit macho coaching styles and are 'nice guys'.

So today I check out XLI talk on TV and different radio stations. I hadn't quite had enough, but that soon changed. Let everyone sleep on it, and they start talking about how silly Tony Dungy's spirituality is. That he shouldn't thank God because God doesn't help sports teams win.

Only the irreligious people of the world can interpret Tony Dungy that way (if you interpret him this way, this means you). Tony Dungy is thanking the Lord for the personal strength to live each day for Christ. With faith in Him, Tony Dungy knows that his daily life and human-being is the best that it can be. This isn't because he won. He would thank God just the same if he had lost. Losers get less microphones.

I also have heard many people say, "Well, he should just keep it to himself. It is a private matter. You don't have to pray in front of people and go tell everyone." That is a 21st century cliche. Yeah, I see the point. I used to think that, too. Then I realized that when you don't represent the truefor you. Starting trillion-dollar holy wars in the process. Have you ever noticed that the loudest people are usually the ones that shouldn't be heard??? faith, fundamentalists like George W. Bush stand up and falsely represent Christianity

Back to the Super Bowl. Of course, Tony Dungy's faithful win does not mean that Chicago coach Lovie Smith's relationship with God is null and void. Lovie Smith's relationship with God is just the same. He may have lost a football game. But today, tomorrow, and the day after that are...the same. He has the God-given strength as well. Faith in Christ. Maybe next year. See where the rain falls. But of course he wants to win the Super Bowl! Sometimes I want to go buy a candy bar and find a $10 dollar bill on the ground. But I still sleep at night knowing my purpose.

Whenever someone uses the word "Christian" or "Jesus Christ" in a public forum, everyone starts to squirm around and shart their pants. What the hell happened to this country? Mostly, I think people have the media-portrayed image of Christianity in their heads. "Raving lunatics with picket signs!" The true face of Christianity is selflessly helping those in need. That is nothing to shart over.

But when the highlight of the Super Bowl is commercials advertising stuff you don't need, maybe they want you sharting (Especially Cottonelle). Don't go to church, go to Target! People talk a good game when asked about God, but most don't walk it. I am glad Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith walk it on the biggest stage in America.