Touchdowns to Taboos: When Sports, Politics, and Religion Collide
I was on a sales call today with a company that sells email automation and social advertising. I like meeting new people so I always make sure to learn a little bit about the sales person I’m speaking with and today was no different. This salesperson was in Louisiana and when he learned I was in Toronto he described it as waaaaaay up north – which globally Toronto is far north but relatively speaking, so is Louisana. I asked him if he was a basketball fan – he’s not – and then I asked him if he was excited for the Superbowl.
And that’s when he told me that although he had been a life-long Saints fan, he no longer watched the NFL because it had gotten “too political.”
I nodded to affirm I had heard him and moved on. It was time to talk business but also I’m not an observant enough fan of the NFL to know if it is political at all. Granted I have heard some late night talk show hosts making fun of Fox News anchors who are upset that Taylor Swift might endorse Joe Biden for president but I don’t know if that’s actually a real thing or not.
Either way, a life-long Saints fan has given up on the NFL because of politics (I asked and he gave it up after the Saints won the Superbowl, so there’s that).
Matthew Petrusek’s, Evangelization and Ideology[1], discusses this idea: that politics has entered every last bastion of life from the news we watch to the words on our coffee mugs and while this is happening, discussing religious discourse has become taboo.
Upon reflecting on a turn of a conversation it’s clear how politics and ideology have become intertwined with our everyday lives. A sales call with someone from Louisiana who has distanced themselves from the NFL due to its politicization serves as a reminder of this connection. This anecdote echoes the discussions in Evangelization and Ideology which explore how political discourse is ever present in our existence in seemingly harmless interactions that can expose deep rooted ideological divides.
By drawing parallels to the insights found in Jason Clark’s Evangelicalism and Capitalism; A Reparative Account and Diagnosis[2] it becomes evident that the intersection of faith, ideology and public life is not merely an issue but deeply ingrained. The paper delves into how evangelicalism and capitalism have co evolved shaping and reinforcing one anothers ideologies and practices. This relationship, characterized by both convergence and tension mirrors the trend where politics permeates every aspect of life. From sports to religious discussions.
The increasing reluctance to engage in conversations within spaces as discussed in both Evangelization and Ideology and Evangelicalism and Capitalism underlines an emerging unease when it comes to navigating the intricate interplay, between personal beliefs and public expression. This emerging trend brings up questions, about how faith plays a role in the sphere and what it means for evangelical communities in particular. The research presented in the paper sheds light on how evangelicalism responds to the influences of capitalism revealing the challenges of maintaining religious expression in a world that is increasingly driven by consumerism and politics.
Clark’s section on commodification and voluntarism[3] particularly explores how evangelicalism’s engagement with capitalism has influenced its approach to voluntarism and identity, suggesting that evangelical identity has been shaped by market dynamics, which prioritize individual choice and commodification (Discussion on the rise of voluntary societies and their impact on evangelical church, pointing towards a “mixed bag” relationship with capitalism).
Evangelization and Ideology delves into the intricacies of engaging in discussions particularly when it comes to matters of faith and religion, in a society driven by market forces[4]. One specific example that illustrates the concepts of participation and individual identity, within market dynamics is its exploration of how the current political and cultural climate has impacted the approach to spreading beliefs. Petrusek sheds light on the difficulties faced by discourse in spaces emphasizing the importance of adopting a nuanced approach to evangelization that takes into account prevailing ideologies and market influences. This broader conversation examines how religious identities and practices are shaped and responded to within the framework of a society.
When we incorporate these reflections into our experiences it becomes clear that the political and ideological aspects of our interactions are not just coincidental but essential for understanding the cultural and religious landscape. Disengaging from watching NFL games due to political reasons shows how these larger trends can impact individuals personally but also serves as a small scale representation of the difficulties that individuals and communities face when navigating todays politicized environment.
[1] Petrusek, M. (2023). Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture. Word on Fire
[2] Clark, Jason Paul, “Evangelicalism and Capitalism: A Reparative Account and Diagnosis of Pathogeneses in the Relationship” (2018). Faculty Publications – Portland Seminary. 132. https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/gfes/132
[3] Clark, page 11
[4] Petrusek, page 30
About the Author
Mathieu Yuill
While raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens may be a few of Julia Andrews' favourite things, here are a few of mine: Talking to strangers, Learning about what you do for fun, Conversation over coffee. I own a marketing and communications company in Toronto, Canada called Leading With Nice. There are a lot of names I could have given the company but a trusted friend encouraged me to name it that because I really value the humanness in us all. Bah - this is starting to sound like a horrible LinkedIn post. So whatever, let's have coffee. I'd love to hear about what you do for fun!2 responses to “Touchdowns to Taboos: When Sports, Politics, and Religion Collide”
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As a Swiftie myself, I truly appreciate any blog post that can work in her name. In your next post could you work in some of her lyrics?
It is sad that people are giving up things they enjoyed because politics or religion has taken over. It sounds a bit like cancel culture – which we will be addressing this week.
I was deeply impressed how you pulled in Jason’s work on capitalism and religion when discussing Petrusek.
Hey! I am curious if you had time to talk to your client about why he thought NFL and politics were and why his not watching it was helping him, what would you ask? I am wondering if curiosity would be the way we all find our way back to each other in society? What do you think?