There is very little in life that cannot become a story for the media. Usually, the stories are blown out of proportion, not because they are not in themselves newsworthy but because our society has made them newsworthy. Chosun Ilbo recently asked some of the soccer players what they thought of the praying rites on the field after a goal is made. A religious group sent a request to the soccer federation to prohibit all religious rites on the playing field. Following, briefly noted, are some of the responses of the athletes:* Religions should not be involved in these matters.
* Why does one have to find fault? It is not asking one to believe nor does one need to look...
* When one does go to extremes in the ceremony, it is not pleasant to see, but to single this out is not a good idea either.
* Overseas there are many who make the sign of the cross.
* What if our Korean players are unique in praying on the field?
* Buddhist believers can make their own praying ceremonies.
* All that is said is just an excuse. Isn't it just not nice to see? Let us be honest.
* Whatever ceremony is used, getting goals is what it is all about.
* I am a Buddhist, the ceremonies are thanking God and religions should not squabble about it.
* When a goal is made you thank your teammate for the pass, and when home you can pray.
*Jesus told the Pharisees to pray behind closed doors.
* A representative of the Korean soccer team is not a representative of any one religion.
* Christians are told to pray, it is their disposition and a way to evangelize.
* We have freedom of religion but I do see it as an extreme act.
* We should also respect the team that didn't prevent the goal. We should consider their feelings.
* In Europe, they do not have such ceremonies.
* An athlete is a public person and should be without public religious ceremonies.
* I have no religion but seeing an athlete kneeling to pray leaves me with a bad taste.
* The T.V. cameras need not transmit these scenes.
* It would be nice if the religious ceremonies were shorter...
These are only a few of the many responses by the soccer players. Hearing what the athletes had to say makes for a story, but one wonders what a topic of this type does to make the question less of a problem. A good prescription to keep in mind when dealing with potentially divisive issues: "In essentials unity, in non-essentials freedom, in all things charity."
