There is an interesting phenomenon that occurred after the Patriots pulled ahead of the Colts in their championship game: the price of Superbowl tickets reportedly fell significantly. People it appears are just not excited about seeing the Patriots play in another Superbowl. However, many people see more than a dominant team or deflated footballs are the reason for who plays in the Superbowl. A recent study found that one out of four Americans believe that God helps choose who wins sporting events. I personally find this hard to accept since the Chicago Bears remains God’s chosen team and yet they remain again out of the Superbowl. However, over twenty-five percent of people believe that they are watching the hand of God in the outcome of sporting events.
The student by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute also found that 53 percent of Americans and 56 percent of self-described sports fans believe that athletes with faith in God are rewarded with good health and success. That does not quite explain Tim Tebow’s career unless Saturday Night Live explained the limits of God’s grace:
Some 26 percent of Americans (27 percent of sports fans) agree with SNL that God puts a thumb on the scale at games to favor those in his favor. That is a pretty frightening thought when Kurt Busch comes to mind.
Applying football success strategies to business teams down in the trenches:
1) shared goals
2) blending egos
3) equal participation
4) always say yes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenkotler/2015/01/19/the-4-secrets-to-seahawks-nfc-success-and-how-they-can-be-applied-to-business/2/
And perhaps the real brains behind the Seahawks’ mindset:
http://michaelgervais.com/
Uh-huh. I’m reminded of the great George Carlin. Praise Jesus whenever they win; never mention his name when they lose. You never hear: “The good Lord tripped me up behind the line of scrimmage…”
You know, we have this woman at our Presbyterian Church who, I swear to God, got up and said “You know, it’s kind of like choosing a baseball team the way God chooses his people” to the Children in the Children’s Sermon – The History Professor got up and walked up there and said, ” no – its not – its kind of like a party and everyone is invited.” lololol
I mean, I have heard of the Elect, but people never read the next sentence about God’s grace and salvation is open to all. So typical. Sickening.
God helps those who help themselves, and God loves the so-called ‘loser’ who gave it their all! And this will also to be true for whichever team wins/loses the Superbowl. Let the games begin.
If God picks favorites in sporting events, will She pick a favorite in the 2016 presidential elections? And how do you account for the 1919 World Series? And how do you account for Her allowing the existence of brussel sprouts and Fox News ?
‘Russell Wilson credits, and blames, divine interventions for Sunday’s win.’
“God is too good all the time, man,” Wilson told Erin Andrews of FOX Sports immediately after the win. “Every time.”
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/20/russell-wilson-credits-and-blames-divine-intervention-for-sundays-win/
Garlic and turmeric is good for reducing inflammation also.
Pogo
I would like to see a study of how other groups have fared with regard to their health and sanity.
== High ranking Nazi leaders
== People who believe they influence their sports team in some mystical fashion
== Pagans versus mono-theists
== Those who cannot miss an episode of Star Trek
Religion seems to be salutary for health.
But does God favor certain sports teams?
Doubtful, but based on Jewish battle victories in battle as the Chosen Ones, it suggests hope or envy, and explains Islam.
The results show that religious affiliation has no statistically significant results on contemplation of suicide, suggesting that religion does not deter thoughts of the act. However, adolescents who affiliate with a religion are less likely to attempt suicide, according to the findings.
http://kb.gcsu.edu/src/2014/friday/175/
Religiosity has been linked to better mental health including lower rates of depression and other psychiatric problems.
Religious activity remained a significant predictor of dysthymia after all adjustments: higher levels of religiosity were associated with a lower likelihood of dysthymia among the respondents over and beyond other factors. There was no difference between foreign-born and US-natives in developing dysthymia over time, but religiosity remained a significant predictor (lower likelihood) of developing dysthymia over time in the total sample.
https://isaconf.confex.com/isaconf/wc2014/webprogram/Paper66879.html
The study provides evidence of the salutary effects of religious engagement on chronic inflammation among older adults, especially for Black Americans, which may be useful in reducing the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953614005565
Using sibling fixed effects models, we find novel evidence that intrinsic religiosity—self-reported importance of religion—during adolescence has the most significant effects on reducing dependence on use and abuse of additive substances.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167268114000882
Science sez they’re half right, cuz the religious are healthier:
People who have a spiritual understanding of life in the absence of a religious framework are vulnerable to mental disorder.
http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/202/1/68.short
Conclusion: Religiousness is related to significantly less depressive symptoms, better quality of life, less cognitive impairment, and less perceived pain. Clinicians should consider taking a spiritual history and ensuring that spiritual needs are addressed among older patients in rehabilitation settings.
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mjl/sreh/2011/00000043/00000004/art00007
A study showed that one out every 8 sports fans thought faking out a survey scientist was a hoot.
The hand of God. But whose fingers?
It is about dyslectic mindset. The Framers intended to state in the Second Amendment the proposition that “The Right To Arm Bears Shall Not be Infringed.” The scroll who wrote it out got it wrong. God is Dog spelled backwards. Dog decides who wins the Superbowl. On The 8th Day God Put Dog On Earth To Watch Over Mankind.
Maybe it was the hand of God that deflated those footballs.
Given this theory, God hates da Bears! And I thought it was because the Bidwell’s were not spending enough on personnel rather than Divine intervention that was causing the Cardinals to lose games.
A pretty harmless belief, in contrast to faith in Keynesian policies.
Now that’s some cray cray that do us some damage.
Only the Jews and the Christians felt that God has some interest in individual people (other religions promoted the indifference of the gods, or active animosity), so I’m pleased to see this residual effect still extant.
Albert Einstein was a smart guy!
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I am not sure about the former.
-Albert Einstein