EP 16 - Ch 15 –- Sport & Religion

Whether religious or secular, people often shy away from discussions of religion since they worry it will be uncomfortable or confrontational. We address that question and argue the connection between sports and religion is important and needs to be analyzed sociologically. We also discuss how sociology gives tools for analysis of sports and religion. Through a discussion of "muscular Christianity" in the British Empire, we show how religion sanctified white supremacy. We then discuss Christians unique relationship with sports and address key stereotypes Muslims face broadly and in sports specifically through a discussion of Orientalism. We then conclude with Jeffrey Scholes' typology of religious expressions during sports events to see how theology operates in everyday life and reproduces racial relations.