All-Star Religion In The Gym

[Aussiekat]

I don't think anyone's ever really offended by prayer, it's just the perception that in a team environment some might feel pressured to participate, which might go against their family's own religious belief/non-belief. I personally feel uncomfortable around certain Christian members of my team, not because they are religious but the way they act out their religion. I have the utmost respect for all faiths, although I have none myself, and wish that these team members would extend that same respect to me when I choose not to participate in prayer instead of making me feel bad, or like I don't care enough about the team to pray with them. I care enough to turn up early, stay late, stretch, tumble etc. and dedicate myself to the sport, my commitment as an athlete should not be measured (by anyone) by my non-participation in team prayer.

Prayer can be a powerful team bonding activity and can make those who do not subscribe to the same faith, or any faith, feel like an outsider. NOT ALL PEOPLE OF FAITH ARE LIKE THIS, nor are all people on my team like this. I think with this issue, just like many others, taken in moderation and applied to each individual situation will be more beneficial than imposing blanket rules. Each team works differently, every kid is different; the most important thing is to have an open, friendly and accepting environment in the gym, and it's incumbent upon all adults - parents, owners, coaches, adult team members - to set the right example, whatever that may be.

 

[Ashley]

I've been on a few open teams where the coaches say a prayer before we compete. We live in a very liberal part of the country, and as someone who was raised Catholic but isn't really religious anymore, it seemed kind of weird at first. But now I just take it as a time to breathe, stand in a huddle with my team, and think about what I need to do. My coaches usually say something like help keep everyone safe, hit our stunts, some other skill we've been struggling with, etc. It kind of forces you to relax and think about the little things. I don't usually say "Amen" at the end, but I think we're all adult enough at this point that even if we aren't religious, we just use the moment for ourselves. Though I don't think any of my coaches would have been upset if an athlete chose to step away from the group during it.

 

[cheeringfor3]

I am curious....would people feel differently about prayer at practice if the gym clearly stated in their mission statement that they were teaching athletes in a Christian environment?

 

[kristenthegreat]

I went to Catholic school, even though I no longer considered myself catholic (or even religious, for that matter), and stood quietly while everyone else prayed. We were a school of many faiths (both christian and otherwise), despite being catholic, and if people didn't want to pray, they mostly stood there. I think my French teacher (who was also a religion teacher for a few years), summed it up best: 'This is a Catholic school. You are here to get a Catholic education. That being said, I understand many of you are not Catholic, Christian, or even a person of faith. I will not attempt to push my beliefs onto you, and I would request you don't push yours on me. Everyone just keep an open mind, do your homework, and this will be easy.' It was. When I coached at the school this year, we prayed before each game...

Consider instead, perhaps, a 'moment of silence'? Or a 'moment of reflection'? It's non-religious, yet can be if people choose to take it in that direction. I can understand that, if it is not in your mission statement, for people to be a little upset if you're routinely bringing in religious moments that can make others feel like outsiders. If we prayed at a gym now, and it was out loud and I was the only one not saying anything, I'd feel uncomfortable. People have their right to religious practices, and I have the right to a secular life. Do I mind mangers or christmas trees or menorah's at Christmas? Nah. I think they're cool actually. Anything that makes me feel like I'm forced to participate outside of places of worship/designated religious institutions, kinda tickles me the wrong way sometimes..

 

[Babs]

I appreciate it when in any non-religious setting the person saying the prayer is cognizant that their religion is not the only religion that exists. A prayer can be spoken so that it works for a broad cross section of faiths.

 

[youbetterwork]

This is so different for me. It would never ever happen that a whole team prays together in Sweden.

 

[Aussiekat]

I am curious....would people feel differently about prayer at practice if the gym clearly stated in their mission statement that they were teaching athletes in a Christian environment?

I believe that T&S is an openly Christian gym and promotes itself that way. That's totally cool for them and anyone walking into that gym would know that. I don't think anyone would have a problem with prayer at practice in this circumstance, and they seem to build very happy, healthy and fierce athletes in their environment. I think @Mclovin actually moved her family to OK to be a part of the gym!

 

[WorkToWin]

While I understand there are different religions, I love the idea of team prayers. God is an important part of everything we do. It's not a public school, it's a private club. I think it can unite a team and I am 100% for it. @Mclovin does twist and shout pray in practice or before competitions? They are the most religious gym I can think of off the top of my head. I love them!

One last thing to say, you can pray to whatever God you want during a prayer. If you don't believe in God, you can just listen. It's not like hearing a prayer is going to force you to believe in a religion.

 

[WorkToWin]

PS- despite what any of you think, at a competition last year I heard the cutest 'cheer' a team said together right before they went on stage. I think it may have been Twist and Shout, but don't quote me on that. I absolutely love it.

"Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John; Bless this floor we're cheering on. And if we do our very best, we know that God will do the rest. Amen".

 

[gofriars610]

I go to a Catholic college (shouldn't be too shocking; my mascot is a Friar), and when I cheered we never prayed before games or practice or anything. The flyers got into a circle before we competed but I don't think they prayed. We went to a student-athlete mass that the dept. of athletics put on with the rest of the athletes at my school.
When I played rugby last year (random combination of sports, I know) we would pray a Hail Mary before every game and our captain would scream "OUR LADY QUEEN OF VICTORY" to which we would respond with "PRAY FOR US!"...and then go into a team chant of "kill kill hate hate murder murder mutilate, sacrifice our bodies!" (#rugby is the only explanation for that one haha) I thought it was nice, and i liked praying before games.

 

[ashscott41]

Maybe it is because I grew up in the "Bible Belt," but prayer before competing was always the norm for me. Since we had team members of different religious backgrounds, we never prayed to one specific God, but more of a general asking for safety and guidance in doing our best. I don't remember the gym being openly affiliated with any religion, but in the winter we had a Christmas tree and menorah in the gym. It was never a problem because we accepted everyone's differences.

Side note: My team always joked about creating our own religion since we spent every Sunday of our childhoods at the gym. Our owner was our God, the gym was our temple, conditioning was a "religious sacrifice" and all of the days we missed at school traveling for competitions were holidays. Its amazing what a group of 30 high schoolers will come up with after too much time together hahaha

 

[Rudags]

I typically let my kids pray as a group on their own. Of course if a kid didn't feel comfortable they would not have to participate. I think Ill start leading prayers with my kids this season. Lord knows our area could use it!

 

[marissa.d]

I've always individually prayed before competing, but my team from SC always does a team prayer too! Only the coach actually has to say it, but we all seemed join in anyways.

 

[xtremeteal4life]

lets not forget..as sometimes people do that the kids who want to pray have just as much right to do so as the ones who are offended by it....I get tired of things being taken away by the few to the dismay of the many....why is everyone so sensitive? IMO

Or why is everyone else so insensitive to others' religion or lack thereof.... I think that clearly goes both ways. Could you honestly say you'd feel comfortable w/a few Wiccans saying their prayers, chants, etc. as well? Or what about Muslims who are supposed to pray numerous times a day? Should we wait for those too since they have the right as well?

I get tired of narrow minded people who aren't considerate of others' religions and just assume everyone is fine w/Christianity. I'm not necessarily saying this to you personally..I'm just giving another point of view. If individuals want to do their thing, then sure all of them can if you don't mind taking up practice time, etc. for it if they feel it's really imperative. Everyone has the "right", but don't expect it to revolve around one particular religious view. IMO it's better kept as a private thing.

Believe it or not, some people don't want their kids learning about God/Jesus/Mohammed/Buddha, etc. at any non secular event and plenty of kids feel the need to conform if it's something done regularly or feel uncomfortable if it's a gym and/or team thing unless they all happen to be of the same religion, which would be a different story.

 

[xtremeteal4life]

I am curious....would people feel differently about prayer at practice if the gym clearly stated in their mission statement that they were teaching athletes in a Christian environment?

I think it would be clearly obvious to anyone who joins and I would expect it (prayer, etc) and take that into consideration. It's nice to know that kind of stuff before hand