Religion in the Clubhouse

According to Colin Cowherd, ESPN Radio personality, this morning's USA Today had a feature on "Religion in the Clubhouse", focusing a great deal on the Colorado Rockies and the Christian ethics and morals they display in their dugouts, clubhouses and organization.

From what the USA Today article mentioned, there are no copies of Playboy, Penthouse or even Maxim magaizine around, there are scriptures painted on the walls of the weight room and the Rockies even host weekly chapel and prayer services, all of which are well attended. Rockies' GM Daniel O'Dowd cites the recent success of the team due to God's blessing and favor.

"You look at things that have happened to us this year" O'Dowd says. "You look at some of the moves we made and didn't make. You look at some of the games we're winning. Those aren't just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this."

As I continued to listen to Cowherd's semi-tirade about how religion doesn't belong in sports, I decided I'd try to call in to ESPN Radio, a phone call I've tried to make numerous times before but always...I mean ALWAYS...got a busy signal.

This time though...I immediately got in.

The call screener asked my name, where I was calling from and what I wanted to say then put me on hold. Then...it happened.

I was back on the air. LOL

Seriously though, Colin greeted me and I asked him if there had been any players who felt like the Christian influence and/or prayer meetings were being "forced" on them. I said if so many people were being forced into going, why haven't we heard about it more often? He liked the question and then answered MY question with HIS question.

Typical talk show host tactic. Never commit to any ONE answer. His last name befits him well.

Anyway, he said "if you were opposed to this way of thinking, would you be standing up and making a scene?"

I said if I felt strongly enough about it, I might.

"But" I added "let me clear up a very common misconception. You are correct when you say 'God doesn't root for the Rockies and pull against the Cardinals.' However, I DO believe, as a Christian myself, that God gives His favor at various times in a person's life and PERHAPS this was the time that Daniel O'Dowd and the Rockies were experiencing some of those blessings."

I then said that I would NEVER claim to know the way God thinks and how He processes things but I do believe that as He raises some up at one time, He uses other experiences to grow others.

"Well, what about the '86 Mets? They won the World Series but were full of drug users, cheaters, and all kinds of guys. Do you think the Rockies are going to win the Series this year?"

"No" I replied. "But again, and I'm not claiming to know what God thinks, but perhaps He was using the '86 Mets for one purpose and then..."

click.

Time's up.

I didn't get to hear Cowherd's rebuttal or how/if he made me look like a simpleton. But that's OK. There were several other callers who felt the same way I do/did and were phoning in to express their opinions. I really could've and would've like to have made a few more points to Colin but I do realize it's not my radio show and he's got to keep things moving.

As far as the filthy music and magazines go, the Rockies are a PRIVATE ownership and can therefore conduct themselves as they see fit. O'Dowd signs the checks, it's his team and if he wants to have Biblical scriptures on the walls of the weight room, that's his right. I don't know how many times I've heard people on talk shows and in newspapers saying "it's my this or that and I can do whatever I want with it." So then, why now is it an issue that the Rockies want to have a Christian influence all over their organization?

Could it be because it might...gasp...'offend' someone??

Quick, Mr. President!! We need to get you to Air Force One!!

(I shake my head in frustration)

I'm so sick of hearing about offending people and wondering about nonsense like that. It's much more offensive to be in a locker room full of filthy language and posters of naked women on the walls than someone feeling like their inner child is being hurt.

Excuse me sir, but I think your inner child needs a spanking and a dose of reality and personal responsibility.

There were so many fallacies talked about this morning and of course, the show slanted the article to sounding either like Christians are obnoxious, hypocritical lunatics or these values & morals were being forced on everyone.

Check out the article for yourself in today's edition of USA Today. I think Daniel O'Dowd is very sensitive to the feelings of non-believers but as GM, he does have the right to conduct his clubhouse as HE sees fit, not some radio talk show host in Connecticuit. I applaud O'Dowd and the Rockies organization for being bold enough to stand up and draw that line in the sand by not allowing such decadent influences permeate their team but also for being bold (yet loving) in their faith, belief and trust in God Almighty.

We need more good people like that who are willing to take that risk, stand up for what is right and ignore the insults and slanderous remarks of those who have absolutely no idea what they're talking about.