12 Reasons Why…
Originally Published August 17, 2015
With football season upon us there is a new meme that has been circulating Facebook recently. You might have seen it.
Obviously, this is meant to be a passive/aggressive criticism of those who use these same excuses for not going to church. And as usual, it gets its share of “likes” and positive comments and “amens” all around.
So, with one of our topics being all the issues wrong with the institutional church, and with our focus being that of home fellowships, and because I have a tendency to be a trouble-maker, I decided to take the above idea and run in a different direction with it. For your consideration, I am pleased to present to you:
12 reasons why attending a sporting event is better than attending church.
- The coach isn’t going to kick you out of the stadium for being critical of his play-calling.
- The only people asking you for money are the workers at the concession stand, and at least you get a snack and a cold beverage in return.
- You are surrounded by total strangers, but most people will interact with you like you’ve been lifelong friends.
- Those same people won’t judge you for what you’re wearing.
- There’s no “fan covenant” to sign where you agree to support the team no matter what.
- Nobody is going to question your team loyalty if you show up to the stadium late or not at all.
- Group participation is not only allowed but encouraged!
- You don’t have to worry about the coach showing up at your house the next day asking you why you weren’t at the game.
- You don’t have to worry about the coach getting on the P.A. system to bad mouth the season ticket holders who missed last week’s game.
- If you get to the stadium early, that’s ok. There’s most likely several parties already going on in the parking lot, and they won’t mind if you crash in, even if you didn’t bring a dish to pass.
- If there is ever a team scandal, the coach doesn’t blame the fans for it.
- You can be fairly certain that no one will ever tell you that the outcome is pre-determined!
Of course, if you have any others that you care to add, you are welcome to do so!
Andy
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
Yes, Andy, I saw the Calvinist attempt at guilt tripping when it came out originally. It was pathetic then, and it is pathetic now. According to that meme, the church is the ticket to heaven and that nothing should keep you away from her because then you are keeping away from the sovereign “god” and his holy, holy, holy personal messengers and their gnostic messages and “godly’ authority. Why did the writer not come out and say it? Because some people would have told him to take a hike, and rightly so. It irks me when people are trying to be smart but end up looking like fools, as the Einstein who had originally come up with this cringeworthy effort. Of course, the Protestants would “like” it and share it and what else it is they do with smelly propaganda like this (print it and plonk it on the wall, I guess). End little rant.
My reasons for rather going to a sporting event:
1) Every now and then you see something truly spectacular (like a cross-court Federer forehand shot);
2) There is interesting stuff (useful stuff) on the huge screens and not Reformed/Calvinist rubbish songs;
3) People don’t smell me because I am single;
4) People don’t threaten to put a stake through my heart should I rock up there with a lady friend, both of us being single.
5) I can eat a hot dog whenever I feel like it.
6) I can make single women laugh without being branded a “womanizer” or a “Cassanova.” (Yes, I am single myself).
7) I know that God’s on neither side’s team; He’s instead interested in each person there individually (those in the stands as well).
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John,
Those are all GREAT reasons! Love it!!!
Andy
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#13 …. People are actually excited to be there; they want to be there and there are smiles all around.
#14 …. No one is looking at their watches to see how long it is before the game is over.
#15 …. The rules of the game are clear and do not change from coach to coach or referee to referee.
#16 …. The teams who are playing and the experience is different each time one attends a game.
#17 …. There is a sense of comradere, friendship, and unity.
#18 …. The prices for tickets, drinks, snacks, etc. are stated up front so you know how much it will cost.
#19 …. The restrooms are accessible and one can use the restroom at any time without glares or nasty looks.
#20 …. If you can’t go to a game, you can always sell your tickets or give them away to a neighbor.
#21 …. Many games are accessible via public transportation — so you may not even have to drive.
#22 …. The rules of the game are universally agreed upon. Three strikes equals an out no matter where the game of baseball is played (Boston, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, etc.).
#23 …. If the game runs into overtime, there is typically a heightened sense of excitement and anticipation — usually no complaints, but instead, folks are on the edge of their seats to see the final action unfold.
#24 …. Anyone can play the game … you don’t have to be a “professional athlete” … you can be a little kid, a dad, a brother, a mom, a sister, a friend … anyone at all …
Amazing. Between Andy’s 12 and my 12 …. there are double the reasons to go to a sporting event/ game on Sunday rather than to a church worship service. No guilt and no guilt trip.
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Susan,
I really liked numbers 15 and 23!
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Great insights, Susan; and great add-ons!
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