Religion and Race - a new cornerstone for us?

[The_Tooth]

The circle of prayer doesn't bother me if its relatively short and sweet, either in the dressing rooms before the game or on the field after. I was a little surprised though to see our players doing it with the opposition (Newcastle). Still no problem with it.

I thought it was **Josh Aloiai** that instigated it at our club rather than **Kevvie**.
Pretty sure he was the one leading the prayer with the Newcastle players.
He is obviously very religious and grateful.

Excuse by ignorance but is it the morman religion that some of our guys are into?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I'm not religious like most of you guys but I think its a good thing.
It would help with team bonding.
In fact if I were the coach I would get my whole team involved , whether it be on the field or in the sheds, at training or game day. It would show that they are one team that respects each other and not separate groups of churchies and non-churchies.
The prayers can be non-deminational and not mention god too much. For the non-churchies it would be a quite moment of reflection and may aid their focus.

This is ridiculous. So if you were coach you would force people who were not religious to join prayer groups for self reflection?

Yes.
Its no big deal. Just 30 seconds out of the day. Its shows respect.
And no one would be forced.
Look I'm not religious but I find it strange that the only people on this forum who want force there own beliefs on others are atheists.

And which "God" are they praying to exactly? Apollo, Thor, Wotan, Muhammad. Religion is not a bonding tool if not everyone is on the same page.

 

[Abraham]

When you consider these guys train 6 days a week together, play together on game day, in addition to all of the other off field time they spend socialising together, then if the religious aspect brings a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood to the group, it can only be a good thing.

Might also be a good influence on some of the younger players coming through, who would otherwise be caught up in the drinking/drugs culture of footy clubs, to have a wholesome alternative to look into.

There is no downside to this.

 

[stryker]

There is a downside. ..it's called exclusion.

 

[Nelson]

There is a downside. ..it's called exclusion.

Yeah you don't need religion involved for people to form factions…it just helps them along.

 

[supercoach]

I really do not see what all the fuss is about. If a group of players want to meet after training and have prayer session who cares, if they get into a huddle before and after games and have a prayer who cared. Ever since they first televised football I have been watching guys cross themselves as they run onto the field…whats the difference????

Would rather see th guys hanging out together than hanging out with known bikie gang leaders going to the casino,,if you get my drift.

As for me, the religious stuff is not my go but I do not knock anyone who is into no matter what religion

 

[jctiger]

There is a downside. ..it's called exclusion.

Why would there be exclusion ?

 

[Abraham]

There is a downside. ..it's called exclusion.

lol what a load of new-age touchy feely rubbish! These are grown men we are talking about, not sensitive 4 years olds.

So should we ban players from listening to music before games in the sheds, because some players might not like music, and could have their feelings hurt?

What about banning guys from wearing brightly coloured boots, because the guys with plain black boots might feel excluded?

How about we just ban them from interacting altogether, that way no body can be excluded from anything and everyone can feel warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[Silentio]

Good on em'. At least they're not bonding by getting munted at the casino.

 

[stryker]

LOL Abraham…I knew this topic would draw out the forum's resident religious nutjob.
You mentioned downsides, I gave you one.
Personally I think being religious shows weakness but thats just me. I like to stand on my own two feet.

 

[Silentio]

LOL Abraham…I knew this topic would draw out the forum's resident religious nutjob.
You mentioned downsides, I gave you one.
Personally I think being religious shows weakness but thats just me. I like to stand on my own two feet.

Mate, having the guts to show your faith in public and copping plenty of shit about it is anything but weak…

 

[Russell]

Looks like the Haka should be banned as well then - is that right?

Ramming someone else's culture down other peoples throats.

Or is this different? Because you haven't got an axe to grind.

 

[stryker]

LOL Abraham…I knew this topic would draw out the forum's resident religious nutjob.
You mentioned downsides, I gave you one.
Personally I think being religious shows weakness but thats just me. I like to stand on my own two feet.

Mate, having the guts to show your faith in public and copping plenty of s*** about it is anything but weak…

Mate giving credit to an invisible entity rather than the real live human beings who made your achievements possible is weak.

 

[stryker]

Looks like the Haka should be banned as well then - is that right?

Ramming someone else's culture down other peoples throats.

Or is this different? Because you haven't got an axe to grind.

Who's saying anything about it being banned? I know you're old but try and comprehend what people are saying please.

 

[Chevy]

I dont have a problem with it,if thats the worst thing these players are getting up to so be it.

 

[innsaneink]

Id rather they do this than rape and murder people

 

[Russell]

Looks like the Haka should be banned as well then - is that right?

Ramming someone else's culture down other peoples throats.

Or is this different? Because you haven't got an axe to grind.

Who's saying anything about it being banned? I know you're old but try and comprehend what people are saying please.

People are saying to stop the praying on field - or can't you read.

Name calling again doesn't cut it. - shows lack of thought. Duh!!!!

 

[Flippedy]

10 players in the WT's prey group according to TT.

Prey or pray? There's a slight difference lol

As for the boys praying and thanking God after a game, I like it - should be more of it. I thank God everyday I wake up breathing.

 

[Tigerdave]

I do not want to see the crap that you see in the NFL, praising this deity, praising that deity. If you want to believe, go for it, no need to advertise it as overtly as players in the NFL.

Dave I think that's more become part of American culture than ours mate. Not sure the Polynesian Christianity is headed down that path?

Anyway my reason for bringing this up was more about a changing club culture, and whether it might help us in recruitment etc.

Personally I don't have issue with the prayer groups etc that's there prerogative but as Ink's experience related, it might also create an uncomfortable situation if not handled well.

Don't see how it will help, not everyone is religious and not everyone would be of the same religion. It's divisive not inclusive, best to not bring it in.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Id rather they do this than rape and murder people

I'll take a bloke who shares a prayer in public over a wifebeater or thug who nearly curb stomps a bloke to death every day of the week.

I hate religion, I quite honestly loathe it, but one of my core principles is that people should be allowed to do as they please as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others. I prefer to watch a couple of people share a group prayer directly with their god rather than watch them sit in front of a designated middle man who is designed to extract the most money out of them as they can under the auspices of a deity.