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Some of our grandsons play football for a church sponsored private school. The pastor of the church always gives the invocation before the game.
As everyone, regardless of faith or non-faith, stands there on the bleechers, he goes on and on and on.....it's a sermon, not the usual invocation. You can see people looking at each other and shaking their heads. The players on the field, who have already had a pre-game prayer get restless and start moving about.
As my very Christian husband said tonight, "I can see what non-christians mean about having it shoved down their throats."
Is this sort of invocation out of line? Or do you approve?
Just wondering.
Location: Somewhere along the path to where I'd like to be.
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Yeah, I'd say it's out of line. The pastor may feel it's an opportunity to share the gospel, but unless people (especially the non-religious in the bleachers) are told ahead of time that this is going to take place, it's a bit inappropriate and rude, and he needs to make it short and save the lengthy sermon for those who actually choose to attend church on Sunday.
The preacher is definitely "out of bounds" ..He is taking undue advantage of what should have been an honor..I doubt many heard a word he said anyway..
"Church sponsored, private school." That about says it all. Seems that people would understand they were attending a church-sponsored private school's football game. No-brainer that an invocation would be delivered. Duh!?!? And I absolutely think it's fine.
Last edited by Sooner_Nation_60; 10-20-2007 at 08:19 PM..
Reason: Addition
Christians will use anything to convert, even football.
There is no I in team does sound brotherly tho.
Would Christian players object if the coach was lets say a Voodoo priests and used voodoo dolls to bless the players or something? Or started to kill chickens at the beginning of each game to read its entrails so he could divine exactly which strategy to use?
"Church sponsored, private school." That about says it all. Seems that people would understand they were attending a church-sponsored private school's football game. No-brainer that an invocation would be delivered. Duh!?!? And I absolutely think it's fine.
I don't think that was the point... obviously he's allowed to give an invocation, since it's a private religious school, but the OP was asking if it was too much. Personally I don't know, since I'm not really sure of the difference between an invocation and sermon. But if even the Christians are getting annoyed, I think someone might want to "gently suggest" he keep it short. Like Rob said, it's a football game, and people aren't expecting to feel like they're in church!
"Church sponsored, private school." That about says it all. Seems that people would understand they were attending a church-sponsored private school's football game. No-brainer that an invocation would be delivered. Duh!?!? And I absolutely think it's fine.
They were playing a public school team. The private school has a nice stadium, the public schools in the area do not. This is a common practice to have the game in the better facility. The church was not sponsoring the game. The school was. Duh????
I know this is splitting hairs, but since this school plays Jewish schools, Catholic schools, and public schools this peaching of salvation at what is basically a public gathering, is waaaayyy out of line. He had a captive audience.
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Christians will use anything to convert, even football.
Or started to kill chickens at the beginning of each game to read its entrails so he could divine exactly which strategy to use?
