This makes me smile.

matamoros1965

Watching sport especially football, it always annoys me when I see the players pointing skyward to thank their almighty protector for his gift of success.
A small chuckle emits as I see that the worst offenders Brazil and Argentina have been knocked out of the World Cup, the former who have a number of members of the Bahai faith who constantly use their fame to spread their illness and the latter who used the "hand of god" line to explain their cheating and have said that it's the "will of god" this time that they will win.
Even better that Argentina have been knocked out by the fairly rational Germans, I will call this the "hand of Nietzsche".

Ickle Magoo

I think it's hilarious...millions of people dying of starvation and due to lack of rain-water and they think their god is going to ignore all that yet intervene and change the trajectory of a pigs-bladder into a set of goals. Sums up my view of religion and it's priorities. :pac:

krudler

Its also nice that god doesnt step into clean up oil spills, but hes on top of the list when people win Grammy awards and Oscars, has a bit of thing for the entertainment industry it seems.

PDN

matamoros1965 wrote: »

Even better that Argentina have been knocked out by the fairly rational Germans, I will call this the "hand of Nietzsche".

Quite a few Muslims among your "fairlty rational Germans". :rolleyes:

Most of us just enjoy watching talented footballers without getting our knickers in a twist worrying about the religious views of the players.

Ickle Magoo

Who's getting their knickers in a twist bar yourself, PDN? The thread is called "this makes me smile" and the OP is followed by a post re hilarity. The extra chuckles just add to the overall entertainment factor. :cool:

PDN

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

Who's getting their knickers in a twist bar yourself, PDN? The thread is called "this makes me smile" and the OP is followed by a post re hilarity. The extra chuckles just add to the overall entertainment factor. :cool:

Well, if it makes you smile to cheer on atheist sportsmen then the elimination of North Korea must have caused a few glum faces in Dawkinsland.

Agricola

When a Luis Fabiano has abit of a pray before a match against Portugal in which Ronaldo has abit of a pray also, how does God choose who to favour for progression in the World Cup.

Is it as simple as everyone having a softspot for Brazil (including God) while the big man thinks Ronaldo is a show pony so he decides to magically guide the ball for the south americans!

Ickle Magoo

PDN wrote: »

Well, if it makes you smile to cheer on atheist sportsmen then the elimination of North Korea must have caused a few glum faces in Dawkinsland.

Who said anything about smiling while cheering on atheist sportsmen? Seriously PDN, where do you pull this stuff out of? Your posts reek of far more bitterness than anything said in the posts you were supposedly pulling up.

I just cheer on sportsmen and enjoy the game, there is no rule that states you cannot both watch and appreciate sporting events while also sniggering at the expectations of the religious involved... :rolleyes:

PDN

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

Who said anything about smiling while cheering on atheist sportsmen? Seriously PDN, where do you pull this stuff out of? Your posts reek of far more bitterness than anything said in the posts you were supposedly pulling up.

Gee! Who mentioned bitterness?

Don't worry, I get it. This thread is for atheists to express their humor and I'm unwelcome. Fair enough, carry on. I won't spoil the party with my presence anymore.

MikeC101

matamoros1965 wrote: »

Even better that Argentina have been knocked out by the fairly rational Germans, I will call this the "hand of Nietzsche".

I like it!

PDN wrote: »

Don't worry, I get it. This thread is for atheists to express their humor and I'm unwelcome. Fair enough, carry on. I won't spoil the party with my presence anymore.

PDN in "screw you guys, I'm going home" dramatic exit from World Cup (thread) shocker!

(It really loses the dramatic impact when it's the 5th 10th 20th time)

Ickle Magoo

Oh please, PDN, you're making me smile now. Bitterness? How about the rolly eyes and twisting knickers comments and trying to drag N. Korea into the proceedings like that is anything to do with the OP.

You brought in a heap of digs about things that people hadn't even mentioned and tried to push that football enjoyment was somehow governed by religious/non-religious affiliation rather than acknowledge the point being made about an action wholly unrelated to play.

Now, how's my fantasy footie team fairing after that.... :cool:

amacachi

Agricola wrote: »

When a Luis Fabiano has abit of a pray before a match against Portugal in which Ronaldo has abit of a pray also, how does God choose who to favour for progression in the World Cup.

Logic has no place in Religion!

matamoros1965

There is a serious side to this question of sportsmen and their beliefs.
The two mainly christian teams that I mentioned show me that although they say that they adhere to a supposedly higher ethic, their behaviour in order to win a football game is of a very low ethical standard. That to me is hypocrisy, when hypocrites fail in their endeavors, I smile.
Secondly,my assertion is that a person who believes in any superstition whether it be gods or rabbit's feet or being the last one out of the tunnel before a game is a person whose psychological preparation is flawed.
If there really was a god on one side or the other, anyone could turn up and win, read "The Art of War", all battles are merely the expression of the preparations for it (paraphrase).
And if you think it's just a game, go to Buenos Aries tonight and tell them that! Maybe you'd get quite an unchristian approach, safer with rational atheists who would say and know, it's only a game!

Galvasean

PDN wrote: »

Well, if it makes you smile to cheer on atheist sportsmen then the elimination of North Korea must have caused a few glum faces in Dawkinsland.

I actually rooted for North Korea. Of course their atheism has nothing to do with it. It's just nice to see the little guy to well against his overpaid opponents.

This month's Dubliner magazine actually had a piece on this very topic (footballers praying). It had a mock up conversation between God and Brazilian ace Kaka where God idignantly responded to his prayers. It went something along the line of:

God: "I made you one of the best players in the world with movie star good looks and you want my help beating North Korea? C'mon man they're like the lowest ranked team in the tournament!"

Kaka: "Yeah but I pumped millions into that crazy churchof mine. I think you owe me!"

God: *sigh* "Okay...."

Galvasean

matamoros1965 wrote: »

There is a serious side to this question of sportsmen and their beliefs.
The two mainly christian teams that I mentioned show me that although they say that they adhere to a supposedly higher ethic, their behaviour in order to win a football game is of a very low ethical standard. That to me is hypocrisy, when hypocrites fail in their endeavors, I smile.

True. What would God think of their blatant cheating?

Ickle Magoo

Galvasean wrote: »

True. What would God think of their blatant cheating?

They thank god for their talents, they did it out of love for him, it's allowed...

Dades

PDN wrote: »

Don't worry, I get it. This thread is for atheists to express their humor and I'm unwelcome. Fair enough, carry on. I won't spoil the party with my presence anymore.

Ah now, don't be getting the hump because you misinterpreted atheistic bemusement for atheistic indignation.

robindch

Galvasean wrote: »

I actually rooted for North Korea. Of course their atheism has nothing to do with it. It's just nice to see the little guy to well against his overpaid opponents.

Grab a copy of The Game of Their Lives, which tells the tale of North Korea's trip to the 1966 world cup. It's one of the best documentaries out there, and certainly the best sports-related one I've ever seen -- hilarious and touching in equal measure.

BTW, the associate producer, Nick Bonner, is the joint-owner of Koryo Tours, the company who organized my trip to the DPRK. If anybody is at a loose end in Beijing for more than a week, then give KT a ring. Getting into the DPRK is straightforward, and as a holiday destination, it really does beat Trabolgan hands down.

robindch

Dades wrote: »

Ah now, don't be getting the hump because you misinterpreted atheistic bemusement for atheistic indignation.

What's the opposite of "militant"?

"Thigh-slap-inducing" just doesn't cut it.

Ickle Magoo

Shtickish? :pac:

fisgon

matamoros1965 wrote: »

Watching sport especially football, it always annoys me when I see the players pointing skyward to thank their almighty protector for his gift of success.
A small chuckle emits as I see that the worst offenders Brazil and Argentina have been knocked out of the World Cup, the former who have a number of members of the Bahai faith who constantly use their fame to spread their illness and the latter who used the "hand of god" line to explain their cheating and have said that it's the "will of god" this time that they will win.
Even better that Argentina have been knocked out by the fairly rational Germans, I will call this the "hand of Nietzsche".

Interesting to see this thread here, I was thinking exactly the same thing, I was going to start a thread about it and call it "Where's your god now, Kaká, Diego?" There were pictures of Maradona today before the Germany game, with rosary beads, blessing himself over and over again, muttering prayers to himself, and I did find it amusing to see them get walloped.

I especially liked seeing Brazil dumped out, I wasn't aware about the Bahai connection, but I do know that a lot of them are evangelical protestants, the prods have made inroads into traditionally catholic Brazil recently. It does make me smile to see Kaká waddling off home without getting another chance to point piously to the sky after scoring a goal. I wonder, if he gives his god the credit for the goals he scores, who does he blames when they fall apart in the second half of a World Cup quarter final and lose to an average Dutch side? And if god is in control, why bother training, preparing, working out, practicing, planning?

Now shouting for Spain, nothing to do with religion or lack of it, just like the way they play. Though hard to see them get past the lethal Germans.

PS....Actually, thinking back, it´s surprising that none of the Amiericans interviewed thanked the lord for their success, they´re usually first in the queue to claim divine guidance.

Dades

fisgon wrote: »

lose to an average Dutch side

I'll have you know I've a tenner on the Dutch (since before the World Cup started), so will be reaching for my rosary beads on Tuesday!

Professor Plumb

Dades wrote: »

I'll have you know I've a tenner on the Dutch (since before the World Cup started), so will be reaching for my rosary beads on Tuesday!

Do you always pray during football matches?

You must be very religious.

Dades

Professor Plumb, I'm not sure if you're missing the theme here deliberately or not, but you should really familiarise yourself with your newfound forum before posting some more.

magicbastarder

as a friend pointed out to me, if an atheist laughed when someone who prayed for a job interview didn't get that job, the atheist would deserve a punch in the cock.
laughing at peoples' misfortune is a fickle beast. i do indulge myself, obviously.

ColmDawson

I made a post about this in the Funny Side of Religion thread. Good to see others are as bemused as I am!

Galvasean

fisgon wrote: »

Interesting to see this thread here, I was thinking exactly the same thing, I was going to start a thread about it and call it "Where's your god now, Kaká, Diego?" There were pictures of Maradona today before the Germany game, with rosary beads, blessing himself over and over again, muttering prayers to himself, and I did find it amusing to see them get walloped.

Wayne Rooney was also snapped with rosary beads around his neck during training for England. Now, what did the Bible say about adultery...

JimiTime

Galvasean wrote: »

True. What would God think of their blatant cheating?

As a Christian I do have to laugh at this myself. If they truly want to give all glory to God in the public eye etc, then it needs to be reflected in their behaviour. Pointing at the sky and saying 'Thanks' is all well and good, but diving, hacking, cheating etc, before and after it, is very bad PR for this god of theirs.

Same goes for the Beyonce's and Britneys. Shaking their scantily clad @sses, singing about buying diamonds and rings and cars, and being bootylicious:) or lezzin out with Madonna etc. Then saying, 'I'd like to thank God....'.


Religious believers and hyposcricy. We've got alot to answer for:(

magicbastarder

JimiTime wrote: »

Shaking their scantily clad @sses

why should they hide the ass that god gave them?

JimiTime

magicbastarder wrote: »

why should they hide the ass that god gave them?

because thats where the poo poo is.

Zombrex

JimiTime wrote: »

Same goes for the Beyonce's and Britneys. Shaking their scantily clad @sses, singing about buying diamonds and rings and cars, and being bootylicious:) or lezzin out with Madonna etc. Then saying, 'I'd like to thank God....'.

+1

That sort of thing always bewilders me. I saw P.Diddy (as in Puff I shag my way around the world having children that I hardly see afterwards Daddy) thanking God for his success at an awards show, I felt like asking "God you say? Which one? Cause the Christian one is going to have a word with you when you die"

magicbastarder

i thought the bible was chock full of asses? sure didn't mary ride one while pregnant?

legspin

magicbastarder wrote: »

i thought the bible was chock full of asses? sure didn't mary ride one while pregnant?

And didn't Samson kill lots of folk with the ass-bone of a Jew? Or was that the jaw-bone of an ass?

amacachi

Wicknight wrote: »

+1

That sort of thing always bewilders me. I saw P.Diddy (as in Puff I shag my way around the world having children that I hardly see afterwards Daddy) thanking God for his success at an awards show, I felt like asking "God you say? Which one? Cause the Christian one is going to have a word with you when you die"

I'm assuming he hopes the Catholic one is the real one, a donation and confession on his deathbed (or after a drive-by, though I've a feeling he isn't as Gangsta as he likes to let on) and he'll be in the clear.

ColmDawson

JimiTime wrote: »

As a Christian I do have to laugh at this myself. If they truly want to give all glory to God in the public eye etc, then it needs to be reflected in their behaviour. Pointing at the sky and saying 'Thanks' is all well and good, but diving, hacking, cheating etc, before and after it, is very bad PR for this god of theirs.

Same goes for the Beyonce's and Britneys. Shaking their scantily clad @sses, singing about buying diamonds and rings and cars, and being bootylicious:) or lezzin out with Madonna etc. Then saying, 'I'd like to thank God....'.


Religious believers and hyposcricy. We've got alot to answer for:(

Well said.

It'd be nice if those inconsistently religious people realised their own hypocrisy — the 'religious' population of the world would get a whole lot smaller.

andrewhpf

In a world where ones image is scrutinised to the nth degree if in the public eye, I highly doubt that the people in question (World Cup footballers, P Diddy etc) do truly have God in mind when they decide to exercise some form of thanks to a higher power for their success. In my mind, they're catering to their audience - demonstrating to their legions of fans that they are God-loving, and part of the people. (Let's face it, they probably don't lose sleep if a few atheists decide to turn off the box)

And for those who do actually believe that God has helped them in their cause, so what? Let them. Successful people sight all sorts of diverse influences when asked for the key to their success. Some say God. Some say their parents. Some say their pet dog. It might be mis-placed, but does it really matter? In any case, I think even the most hardened religious person would resist the urge to attribute ALL of their success to God. They believe God has helped them along the way, and that probably makes them happy and content. Good for them.

On another note, one mustn't assume when images of players/coaches praying prior to a match that they are praying for "God to make them win". Praying for their safety and for God to look out for them is the most common "theme", and although an Athiest might think this equally pointless as praying to win, it is nevertheless harmless. Some people in this world (in fact, I would say most) are just not strong enough to believe that they can achieve things on their own, and so the presence of a God of some sort gives them strength.

Malari

andrewhpf wrote: »

In a world where ones image is scrutinised to the nth degree if in the public eye, I highly doubt that the people in question (World Cup footballers, P Diddy etc) do truly have God in mind when they decide to exercise some form of thanks to a higher power for their success. In my mind, they're catering to their audience - demonstrating to their legions of fans that they are God-loving, and part of the people. (Let's face it, they probably don't lose sleep if a few atheists decide to turn off the box)

I agree, the triple crossing of oneself, followed by kissing your hand and touching the grass before you run on the pitch is much more superstitious than religious, much like the people you see crossing themselves when they pass churches and such.

I mean, 3 times for good luck, it cannot fail, right Diego?!

aidan24326

As Carl Sagan once put it, conveniently 'remembering the hits and forgetting the misses'.

In other words, people love to thank god when something good happens. They win a football match, win an oscar or whatever else, and it's all thanks to god. Yet god seems to get off scot-free when bad things happen.
Something good = god did it
Something bad = free will/nature/god moves in mysterious ways/whatever you're having yourself

And when Brazilian players (in particular) proclaim their victory was because 'we had god on our side', I do wonder what makes them think that god should always favour them over everyone else, even if they're playing another predominantly christian country such as Portugal. It may be relatively harmless all things considered, but it really is mind-numbingly stupid.

Galvasean

If God loves the Brazilains so much why doesn't he do something about their shocking rates of poverty and child murder?

Gordon

robindch wrote: »

What's the opposite of "militant"?

Amilitant..

I wouldn't describe myself as being amilitant, just like I wouldn't describe myself as a militant.

vibe666

JimiTime wrote: »

because thats where the poo poo is.

I really love this guy, can we keep him?

its a genuine pleasure to have you here, I hope I speak for all of us in saying it's nice to see someone Christian in here with a proper sense of humour.

you're not an undercover atheist are you?

(it's okay if you are, your secret is safe with us)