Prayer circles after games

[CoogansBluff]

Not sure if this is a Southern Bible Belt thing or prevalent around the country, but occasionally after games, a team will gather around the pitchers circle and say a prayer, often inviting the other team.

Curious what people think. Do you think these prayer circles are appropriate on a softball field?

 

[WinThemAll]

No. I don't play softball in church.

But seriously to each, their own. But please don't be offended if someone does not participate.

One of the meanest, nastiest teams, I ever saw (cussed out other team's players, just downright mean stuff) -- asked after the game if the players wanted to pray after the game, the other players refused.

 

[JAD]

My DD's team started out as a Church team, so we are one of the ones leading the prayer circles at the end of the games. In our 4 years of TB, I think we have had 3 teams that choose not to join in after 200+ games. I think all 3 times it was because their coach was upset because that they just got whipped by a Church team! LOL

 

[quincy]

Not for me, I hate the player tunnel to the dugout after the game too.

We had the flag at ½ mast and had a quick group prayer on 9/11 last year before the games, seemed OK but not sure I liked that either.

 

[GOINGDEEP]

No other sport does prayers, why should we?

 

[starsnuffer]

Not a fan.


-W

 

[Momo'sDad]

If players on my team choose to do something like that following a game once we break, I would have no problem with it so long as there's zero coercion meaning that participation would be 100% voluntary. I would not allow it during our organized pregame session or during a game, however.

 

[softballphreak]

We say the Lord's Prayer before each game. The only thought I have (to myself) is that probably not many, if any, are seriously praying. And my personal, non-spoken belief, is that that is vain.

Other than that I see no harm. And it is something the team does together. There are other bonding types things the girls also do as a team while waiting for the start of the game.

 

[GOINGDEEP]

I am FAR from a saint, I'm not a holy roller, and I haven't been to church in a very long time. I do pray from time to time.

Not giving away what I do for a living but in the ER or hospitals when life is hanging by a thread, I see and hear lots of prayers. From normal people, the homeless, the rich, the poor, bikers, thugs, believers and non believers. Those of us who have seen the horrors of war time, how many of your wounded soldiers prayed to live..........or for the comfort to pass peacefully? I don't think a person can/should only pray when things are at their worst.

I let the girls handle the prayer, I have NEVER suggested it. To me it's as simple as the girls asking the team to go eat after the tourney/game, it's a yes or no answer and you move on.

The latest census that I could find has 83% of America's population religious in some fashion. That's way over the majority.

 

[CoogansBluff]

Thanks for the responses, and I hope there are more. ...

I must admit that I'm not a fan of it, either.

Having a prayer of a particular religion excludes anyone who is not a follower of that religion. Does a Jewish or Muslim girl really want to say the Lord's Prayer? Or does she want to be faced with the choice of having to say a Christian prayer or awkwardly decline and be left out? Not fair to them, imo. We're a team when we're on the field together.

I realize there is no harm intended, so I'm respectful of the other side on this. And if it's a church team, then it's fully appropriate. Just don't think it's appropriate in other cases.