Sunday, January 26, 1992, will be the most important religious holiday of the year. On this day the high priests of the ideal religion will perform their rituals. They are well versed and thoroughly rehearsed in their profession. They will be dressed in suits of blazing colors. They are totally committed to, and devoted to, their task. Their actions will be very meaningful to the many adherents of this religion.
The worshipers will give adoration in many ways. More than 80,000 will experience the ceremony in person. In the United States, an estimated 45,000,000 television sets will bring the experience into virtually every household. Around the world, as many as 600,000,000 people will participate vicariously in the event. For many persons, the entire day will be planned around the ceremony. Without question, it will be an unprecedented spectacle.
For many businesses, this holiday will pay handsomely. Some will provide the finest accommodations for those who want to worship with other adherents. For a fee, the worshipper can observe the proceedings on large-screen media while enjoying fellowship at the same time. Grocery and beverage dealers offer a “Super Bowl Package” for those who prefer to worship at home.
For other businesses, this day will be expensive. For $850,000, Madison Avenue will provide 30 seconds of time to any business wanting to adulterate the worship by presenting its wares.
Sports is the ideal religion. But, why not? It is characterized by total commitment. It has a definite objective. It requires the participant to forsake and desist from other pursuits. It demands a pledge of loyalty. Its adherents lay aside any weight or unnecessary burdens. It requires sacred time–time set apart for the perfecting of performance. It recruits and proselytizes from among the finest specimens of humanity. They are seeking immortality, the dream of becoming a god or an idol to the many worshippers at the shrine of sports. They use only the finest equipment, nothing but the best.
This religion is also characterized by an unparalleled devotion among the worshippers. The level of enthusiasm is unmatched anywhere. The devotion is total. It occupies the attention constantly. It is its own industry. It has its own section in the local news. Frequently it tops all international news stories.
The most despised element of religion is hypocrisy. That is why sports is ideal. With few exceptions, it has no hypocrisy. because hypocrisy is not allowed. Either the ball was caught or it was not. Either the ball was fair or it was foul. Either it went through the net or it did not. There is no pretense. The person who gets there first wins. There is no language for sale; no bills of goods are sold. What you see is what you get, and you get it now.
Another worshipper from another religion once wrote a commentary on the present scene. He said, “They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it (apply the same rigorous requirements to Christianity) in order to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:25).
January/February 1992
