Leave Christ out of the huddle?

[asu66]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/uconn-pres ... ncaaf.html

[Gonzo]

Pass the popcorn.

[hapapp]

I didn't realize that football was a Christian sport. Does UConn only recruit Christians?

[AppGrad1]

See Jerry Moore...

[asu66]

Does UConn only recruit Christians?

Probably not. BTW, I just happened upon an interesting article in the Nov. 23, '13 edition of The Weekly Standard entitled "Hello Ocean Grove, NJ--the town that FEMA turned down." It's about our government's rising hostility to the free exercise of religion. Lays out some interesting points on both sides of the issue. In 1992, a nor'easter lashed Ocean Grove's boardwalk--owned by the Methodist Episcopal Camp Meeting Association. FEMA immediately stepped in with emergency relief funding even though the property belonged not to the town of Neptune, but to the Camp Meeting A'ssn. No problem for FEMA.

In 2011, however, Hurricane Irene damaged a small section of the boardwalk--but FEMA declined to provide any support. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy destroyed most of the Boardwalk. Everyone in Ocean Grove was blown away when again, FEMA declared there'd be no assistance this time either. What happened between 1992 and 2013 that so changed the government's mind about Ocean Grove? It turned out to be the church's stand on Gay marriage.

Interesting case that evolved into three appeals. Ocean Grove lost the first two--but the third seems to have legs in the community's favor. It remains in process and unresolved. Both the Alliance Defense Fund and the ACLU are heavily involved. In addition to its ownership by the "association," the case is complicated by the fact that the property has been named as a state and national historic site. And the fight goes on.

[WataugaMan]

I didn't realize that football was a Christian sport. Does UConn only recruit Christians?

The article, at least the one I read, didn't provide enough information. Was the coach saying it will be a requirement for his players to have prayers meetings? Or, was the article indicating that the coach will support his players if they choose to openly show their Christian Faith?

[Rekdiver]

My answer is No. If players want to have a prayer after the game that is fine and voluntary. Fisher DeBerry let this get out of hand at the Air Force Academy. By the way how does this work with a no huddle spread?

[WataugaMan]

If players want to have a prayer after the game that is fine and voluntary.

Agreed. If the players want to do this and have Bible studies, etc. in their spare time, then as a coach, I'd support their right to do so as well. Sure beats the hell (no pun intended) out of assaulting girl friends and things like that.

[Kgfish]

If he had said Allah instead would it have been OK? Just asking....

[Rekdiver]

Again who players pray to is their right but to subject me to it is infringing on my rights. I don't care if it's God, Jesus,Allah, Budda or Ernest Angely......keep it voluntary and away from game time.

[hapapp]

Again who players pray to is their right but to subject me to it is infringing on my rights. I don't care if it's God, Jesus,Allah, Budda or Ernest Angely......keep it voluntary and away from game time.

That's the point. I have no problem with prayer groups/meetings for those who want them. I don't object to prayer post game as long as all of it is voluntary. The statement made, without much context, sounded different than that.

One can only imagine the vitriol that would have been inspired if he said Allah.

[WataugaMan]

I hear some people are offended by the National Anthem, maybe we should stop playing that before football games as well.

[Gonzo]

keep it voluntary and away from game time.

Perfection.

I'd go as far as to change "game time" to work places, public schools and the like and apply it as a general rule for this country.

[EastHallApp]

Simple question of separation of church and state. An employee at a public university cannot legally compel students at that university to take part in any religious practices.

Has nothing to do with political correctness or being "offended."

What I would guess the guy is doing, though, is to try to appeal to parents of potential recruits, knowing that for every one who will be turned off by his aggressive promotion of religion, many more will probably like the idea of their sons being around someone who presents himself as being so devout.

[WataugaMan]

An employee at a public university cannot legally compel students at that university to take part in any religious practices.

Is that what's he is doing? Maybe I need to re-read the article, when I read it the first time it was vague.

Okay, I'm back. Here is the statement in question, I think:

"he and others are going to make sure UConn's players understand that, ''Jesus Christ should be in the center of our huddle.''

What does this mean? I admit that was a "stupid" thing to say. Then again, one would think more was said than just this one sentence.

[EastHallApp]

An employee at a public university cannot legally compel students at that university to take part in any religious practices.

Is that what's he is doing? Maybe I need to re-read the article, when I read it the first time it was vague.

Oh, who knows what he's actually specifically doing? But his quote certainly sounds like he's promoting a particular religion to his players and pressuring them to follow it.

"Ernest Jones ... told The Hartford Courant ... that he and others are going to make sure UConn's players understand that, 'Jesus Christ should be in the center of our huddle.'"

[WataugaMan]

I hear ya, but, something tells me there is more to this story than what meets the eye.

[Deano]

Just taking a stab here at what the coach might have meant when he said "we need to keep Christ in the huddle" From a Christians point of view, everything you do can have Christ at the center of it, whether its sports, work, or whatever. If you are continually thinking of Christ and his teachings then others will see Christ in you and everything you do will be for the glory of God because its him who gives you the opportunity and ability to be there in the first place. I certainly believe that this would greatly influence better sportsmanship in today's athletics. You can't tell by the article to what extent that this coach was going to implement this.

[WataugaMan]

You can't tell by the article to what extent that this coach was going to implement this.

I find it hard to believe he would push "religion" on the players, like others have stated it is a voluntary pursuit. Maybe he meant he was going to be an example and someone his players could look up to.

[MountainMan]

Pass the popcorn.

Got mine ready! These threads are certainly more entertaining than our basketball season!