Comments on: Sabbath sports

by: Top of the Mountains » Blog Archive » A birthday party

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 01:07:29 +0000

[…] May 2006: heavenly autographs, censorship, Sabbath sports, passion, dating, and seven reasons to study the classics. […]

by: Top of the Mountains » Blog Archive » Accentuate the positive

Sat, 13 May 2006 04:08:56 +0000

[…] When I read that, I instantly thought of the recent trend I’ve noticed creeping into my writing here: a crack of criticism, small to be sure, but unchecked it could tear my foundations apart. For example, my Sabbath sports post was a bit too negative. It left a slightly sour taste in my mouth, even though I thought I was standing for what I knew to be true. (And in a sense I was, yes, but I’ll get to that in a moment.) And it’s been bothering me since then. […]

by: Shaun

Wed, 10 May 2006 05:45:26 +0000

When you put it in terms of addiction, no addiction is good. I have little interest in sports, but I love tinkering with puzzles or games or sometimes even napping. It’s a matter of preferences. I agree that it’s a vicarious means of participating in an event you otherwise could not. Let’s face it, less than 1%, less than .1% of the population ever could have the chance at playing in a professional game. It depends on your motivations for doing an activity.

Hence my views on Sabbath activities. Let’s be frank, one can only spend so much time actively thinking of and worshiping the Lord. We are a people with divided attention, even Peter could not stay awake in the garden of Gethsemane while Jesus prayed (you can read into that if you wish, but the words simply state he kept falling asleep). If your motivation for playing games is purely entertainment to fill up time or an activity for yourself then it may not be the best activity. But in some ways I can think of few ways to better worship the Savior than to build up good relations with other people through wholesome activities. It’s an act of connecting and sharing enjoyment, being there for one another, being involved in another’s life. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40).

In the end, it isn’t just actions one is judged on. Motivation is an equally, if not more so, important factor. One can do anything for the right or wrong reasons, and that completely changes everything. Don’t get hung up on what is or is not appropriate, focus more on your reason for doing something and that will tell you almost every time if it’s right or not.

by: Liz

Tue, 09 May 2006 22:32:04 +0000

As for my part, I don’t really have a problem playing games on Sunday. Sports might be a bit much, but my extended family usually gets together every Sunday, and we like to play games and such. To me, bonding with family will always be Sunday appropriate (as long as we aren’t breaking other commandments, like your mafia example). I mean, I’m sure you might talk about things with your family that day that aren’t centered on Christ. How is this that different than playing a game with your family? (However, I draw the line at going to visit friends on Sunday. I try to stay in my apartment and hang out with my “family.”)

Also, your issue with televised sports is a little over the top. As you say, if we become obsessed with them, then of course it is bad. But that is because of the addiction to them, not because they are completely useless. It would be a similar problem to be addicted to work, studying, music, reading, etc.

Entertainment is, I think, a valid purpose. We do lots of different things only for entertainment: movies, tv, some books. I mean, how does reading a thrilling adventure story or Jane Austen romance help the world? Perhaps we learn more about human nature. However, we also do that through sports: it’s a vicarious experience of the thrill of competition, just as novels are a vicarious experience of other life experiences.

by: Laura

Tue, 09 May 2006 21:52:36 +0000

Ah, but watching sports doesn’t have to be an idle activity. I have crocheted baby booties while watching a BYU football game with my brothers.

No, I agree that watching sports can be taken much too far. For example, watching golf really couldn’t even be classified as entertainment. Maybe a cure for insomnia, though…

by: rachella

Mon, 08 May 2006 22:58:05 +0000

good point.

by: Ben

Mon, 08 May 2006 22:13:24 +0000

I’ve certainly considered that as the reason for my perspective, and I’ll admit that a lot of what I said no doubt comes from the way I was brought up. But I’m trying to see it from a more objective viewpoint, and even if I hadn’t been raised this way, I think I would have come to the same conclusion. And of course not doing those things doesn’t automatically mean that we’re observing the Sabbath — there are innumerable ways to break it. I guess what I’m saying is that avoiding those things helps me personally to keep the Sabbath day holy.

by: rachella

Mon, 08 May 2006 17:54:08 +0000

I understand where you’re coming from, but that’s probably because we came from a family or cultural background that choose not to do certain activities on Sunday. I think it is harder for people who weren’t, to see a discrepancy, if there is one. I remember being so disappointed when I found the people I respected or looked up to engaged in what to me seemed frivolous activities on Sunday. I think God, through our leaders, gives us standards (that are sometimes ambiguous) and individuals are responsible to adapt them as the spirit guides them. There are different levels of spirituality, but also different circumstances. All I know is that while I may wear a dress all Sunday long, that doesn’t mean I’ve kept it holy.

I believe one of the best resources of what is appropriate to wear and do on Sunday is the “For the Strengh of the Youth” Pamphlet.

http://www.lds.org/youthresources/pdf/ForStrengYouth36550.pdf

As far as sports, I should probably avoid another tirade on that matter.