Sporting Events On Religious Holidays?

[Mitchell]

Someone I know who isn't a sports fan, but has been surrounded by them their whole life, has told me for many years that they dont think any sporting events should be held on days like Christmas, Easter Sunday, and days like High Holy Jewish holidays. They feel it is sacreligious for teams to play on these days, and also feel that the players, even though most of them make millions of dollars, should not have to engage in what is their work on religious holidays.

What do forum members think? Should there be sporting events on major religious holidays like Christmas, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Jewish high holy days, or should those days be free of such events?

I'm Jewish, as most forum members who know me are aware, but I'm not religious. Personally, it doesnt bother me if there is a baseball game on, for say, Yom Kippur.

Thoughts on this subject?

Mitch

 

[Cy/MiG]

I think it's a shame that pro's do in fact play on holidays.

I don't care how much they're paid, everyone deserves to be with their families on the holidays.

America can live without sports for one stinking day (or the major holidays.)

And I do believe that more players should follow in the steps of Koufax and sit out 'religious holidays'.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

No one is forcing anyone to watch these games. Anyone who objects can choose not to watch. Fans sell-out stadiums and arenas to see these games on holidays. These sporting events don't affect the holidays. They affect how the traveling team will celebrate, but it doesn't do anything to the fans. The players are the only people who have any room to complain. Certain NBA teams always have to play on Christmas Day. I've never heard any of them make any significant complaint.

 

[maniactickler]

Its all about the money.

 

[punkrockergirl]

i see no problem in it, if the player doesnt want to play then dont.. they will be fined a small amount. and then go back to buisness as usual.. and for the fans i dont see why it would be a problem if you dont like it dont watch

 

[Mitchell]

I'm bumping this thread from two years ago, for a reason.

I just read an article on AJC.com, which stated that Lakers coach Phil Jackson told the media he doesn't believe that sporting events should be played on religious holidays such as Christmas. The Lakers almost always play on Christmas Day, and this article said that Kobe Bryant has played on Christmas Day in thirteen of his fifteen NBA seasons.

This year, the league has gotten extremely "Grinchy". It used to be where there would be two games on Christmas, either the Knicks or Celtics vs someone, and then the Lakers. This year, there are FIVE Christmas NBA games, including the Knicks, and the Lakers.

It's all about TV ratings, and the money, but I can see Jackson's point.

If this is true, then the NBA, NHL, and, in years it has started already, MLB, should probably have no games scheduled on Easter Sunday as well, as that is the other major religious holiday when games are played.

Someone in this thread mentioned Koufax sitting out games on Jewish High Holy days. I have a book about the 1969 Mets, which tells how outfielder Art Shamsky, who is Jewish, sat out a critical series against the Pirates down the stretch of the 69 season, because of Rosh Hashanah.

It would be unrealistic to think that a whole team with Christian players, could boycott playing a game on Christmas Day. Koufax was one Jewish player, who didnt even play every day, because he was a starting pitcher.

I doubt that sports will ever refrain from scheduling games on religious holidays. There is just too much money to be made, and it's all about the $$$.

Mitch

 

[MrMacphisto]

It doesn't matter to me. If I played a pro sport, I wouldn't care. Then again, I don't have a religion, and I can see my family whenever I want.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

Scheduling games on a religious holiday is 100% acceptable. People who consider themselves to be religious always seems to forget one thing, WE DON'T ALL BELIEVE IN THE SAME THINGS! Why should someone of a different faith or no faith have to take your religion into consideration for everything. It doesn't mean anything to millions of people.

Players can simply work with their leagues Players' Association. I think leagues would work with players if enough players object for religious reasons and not because they want Christmas off. Not wanting to play on a holiday for non-religious reasons is understandable, I just don't think it will work as well. Teams should rotate these holiday games a little better so that the same teams aren't used all the time, unless they want to be.

 

[Deuce]

Isn't any sport enterainment, my feelins are this go stay in your place of worship and come home when the game is over and they will do there best not to run into O.T. for ya.

 

[Mitchell]

Tickle Fiend has a point about not everyone believing in the same thing.

I'm Jewish, for example, and not religious, so it doesn't bother me if teams play on Christmas. I also don't have a problem if baseball teams play games, on, for example, the Jewish High Holy Days.

I do agree with you, Tickle Fiend, that the leagues should rotate, so that not all the same teams play on holidays. This is especially true in the NBA. I see Phil Jackson's point about his being tired of the Lakers playing seemingly every Christmas Day.

Mitch