Religion is Like Football

Summary

The author likens the diversity of religious beliefs and practices to the variety of teams and strategies in football, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is personal growth and kindness.

Abstract

The article "Religion is Like Football" draws a parallel between religious affiliations and sports team loyalty, suggesting that just as different football teams play the same game with varying tactics, diverse religions aim to bring individuals closer to a higher power and inspire good behavior. The author, once an avid football fan, reflects on how religions, like sports franchises, have owners (God in various forms), coaches (prophets and spiritual leaders), playbooks (religious texts), referees (religious guides), and cheerleaders (angels), all contributing to the spiritual journey of the faithful. The piece encourages individuals to find a religious path that resonates with them, much like choosing a favorite team, and celebrates the spiritual victories that come from living a life filled with love, joy, and peace. The author also acknowledges that some may prefer non-religious paths, emphasizing the importance of personal fulfillment and happiness.

Opinions

The author believes that there is no single best religion; the right one is subjective and depends on individual fulfillment.
Religious diversity is akin to the variety of football teams, each with its own strategies and playbooks.
God, akin to team owners, desires the best from people without being overly judgmental.
Prophets, teachers, and Ascended Masters serve as coaches, guiding individuals to improve their spiritual 'game'.
Religious texts are like playbooks, providing different strategies for living a spiritual life.
Religious leaders act as referees, overseeing the adherence to religious rules, though they can make mistakes.
Angels are compared to cheerleaders, offering constant support and encouragement.
Spiritual progress is likened to gains in a football game, sometimes requiring perseverance and multiple attempts.
The author suggests that some people may prefer non-religious paths, which is equally valid if it leads to personal happiness and understanding.
Celebrating spiritual achievements is as important as rejoicing over a team's victory, with exemplary individuals serving as inspirations.

Religion is Like Football

I’ve said for quite some time that there isn’t one best religion for everyone, that you just have to find the one that works for you. Whichever religion brings you closer to your god and inspires you to be kind to others, if it brings you peace, joy, and love, it’s the right one.

I’m not much of a football fan anymore, but there was a time when I never missed a Cowboys game on TV (when Roger Staubach was quarterback, and yes, I know I’m dating myself). In any case, while I was waiting for my mother-in-law during her doctor’s appointment, the thought struck me that religion is a lot like football.

Different religions represent different teams, all playing the same game, but with different playbooks and strategies. The owners are God in His/Her many forms, although God doesn’t seem nearly as heavy-handed or judgmental if you ask me. God also wants to get the very best out of people, like the owners want from their players and the franchise. By the way, the people are the players. Our colors and uniforms vary in size, color, style, etc., and, sadly, we often face off against one another. We also sometimes trade teams for one that is a better fit for us, where we’re more comfortable and appreciated.

The Coaches are the prophets, teachers, and Ascended Masters. They try to help us improve our game and skills. While sports coaches teach different plays and try to lead their teams to victory, the same can be said about religious icons, trying to teach us better ways of doing things in hopes the scoreboard of life ends with us being winners or at the very least, gaining a lot of victories so we can qualify for the big game.

The playbooks represent the different religious doctrines, such as the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran. The referees are the various religious guides, such as priests, ministers, rabbis, etc. They try to ensure we follow whatever rules they oversee, and, yes, sometimes they make bad calls.

The cheerleaders represent all the Angels. Like cheerleaders are always there to cheer on the players, the Angels are always in our corner pulling for us and helping us feel better when we’re down.

Sometimes, we’re able to make great gains in life, just like when a quarterback throws a hail Mary pass that’s caught in the end zone. Other times it can be harder and take more time to make gains, like handing off the ball to a runner, hoping they can break through. And penalties? No cheating allowed! And yep, sometimes we get it wrong, and we have to go back and try again. Thankfully, we have multiple tries to gain the distance we need to score.

Many people have a favorite team or sport(religion) that they like the best, and sometimes, people don’t like football at all. Instead of playing a sport, they might rather spend their time taking a walk in nature or sitting at home, thinking about what they like and don’t like, what they understand and what they still need to learn.

When a team wins a game, there is much rejoicing, and we also need to celebrate spiritual gains, whatever they may look like. And when a team wins the Super Bowl, wow, they’re a shining example to all the other teams and players, kind of like when we witness someone practicing an act of kindness or when we meet someone whose love, joy, and peace shine through, affecting everyone around them. We should all aspire to be more like them.

Whether you like football or not, if you look closely enough, you can really learn something valuable. If you decide it’s not the sport for you, there are all kinds of alternatives. All you have to do is find what works best for you, what you’re good at, and what makes you happy.

Blessings to all of you!