With the World Cup driving so many into a frenzy, I think its a good time to pose this question: has Sport become, for all intensive purposes, the new religion of most of the western world's male population (and partly female)?
There are a variety of reasons why I make this contention. First, watching or following sport has become a ritual-like function for so many--almost like going to church. Fans have their superstitions, prayers, and wild faith. Second, modern athletes create miracles on the field, that no ordinary person could accomplish. This just serves to renew ones faith in the power of sport. Third, sport is a universal language with a set of rules all must follow and understand--sort of like the bible or religious code--and this universal language also produces a community of the faithful, who can gather and reaffirm their faith.
Finally, in most of the western world (not the USA), religion has become obsolete. I think only 11-15% of Europeans attend church services, and the number is similar for the Japanese and the Chinese. Has sport replaced religion as a tangible alternative?
There are a variety of reasons why I make this contention. First, watching or following sport has become a ritual-like function for so many--almost like going to church. Fans have their superstitions, prayers, and wild faith. Second, modern athletes create miracles on the field, that no ordinary person could accomplish. This just serves to renew ones faith in the power of sport. Third, sport is a universal language with a set of rules all must follow and understand--sort of like the bible or religious code--and this universal language also produces a community of the faithful, who can gather and reaffirm their faith.
Finally, in most of the western world (not the USA), religion has become obsolete. I think only 11-15% of Europeans attend church services, and the number is similar for the Japanese and the Chinese. Has sport replaced religion as a tangible alternative?