Barack Obama, Tradition, and Football

US President Barack Obama made the news related to some of his comments related to the sport of American football:

27 January 2013

WASHINGTON Football’s first fan isn’t sure he’d let his son play the game, in light of the impact it takes on its players.

“I’m a big football fan, but I have to tell you, if I had a son, I’d have to think long and hard before I let him play football,” President Barack Obama tells The New Republic.

“And I think that those of us who love the sport are going to have to wrestle with the fact that it will probably change gradually to try to reduce some of the violence,” Mr. Obama said. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57566044/obama-not-sure-hed-let-son-play-football/

Gradually change is what is needed?

No, it needs more than that. The sport of American tackle football is immediately harmful and should not be participated in nor encouraged.

Like many, including certain ones in various churches other than the Continuing Church of God, Barack Obama was being a bit hypocritical here. However, unlike many others, at least he is basically admitting it. He likes watching the sport, yet understands that it is harmful. And so harmful that he would not want any male offspring who he could have had to play it.

Jesus taught “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39), while the Apostle Paul wrote “no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it” (Ephesians 5:29). American tackle football is not consistent with those or certain other scriptures.

You may be telling yourself, well since my church (like most) does not condemn football (and/or possibly encourages it) the Bible really does not apply here. If so, be careful about accepting that that type of tradition.

Jesus Himself taught:

7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

8 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:7-9)

The position of the Continuing Church of God is that American tackle football is evil and should not be encouraged. Most other claimed COG groups with a USA presence either directly or indirectly endorse it– or at least will not boldly condemn it (could cost them supporters, etc.). But should not Philadelphian Christians condemn truly violent acts against others?

John the Baptist taught soldiers:

14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. (Luke 3:14, KJV)

Since I do not actually watch American football, I do not know how many violent acts normally occur in each game, but the number is likely to be quite high, and maybe even a lot more if thoughts of violence are included (cf. Matthew 5:21-22).

I could not reconcile loving my neighbor as myself and cherishing my flesh and not doing violence to any man by encouraging others to do it by watching them do so in a football game. Notice also the following:

9…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10, NKJV)

Because people regularly need to get harmed in the normal playing of the game, the tackle version of the sport of American football is evil (touch football I would not consider to be inherently evil–though attitude is still a possible factor there). Also, no Christian can really defend how professional football cheerleading females are often publicly dressed and displayed.

As far as violence goes, the Bible shows that God is against violence:

23 ‘Make a chain,
For the land is filled with crimes of blood,
And the city is full of violence.
24 Therefore I will bring the worst of the Gentiles,
And they will possess their houses;
I will cause the pomp of the strong to cease,
And their holy places shall be defiled. (Ezekiel 7:23-24)

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality…30…violent, proud, boasters,…31…unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32)

Do you approve those who practice violence?

This is something that Christians, and others, should think about. And that those hoping to be amongst the most faithful Christians need to be careful to make the biblically-correct decisions along this line and not overlook the word of God because of their preferred traditions (Matthew 15:7-9).

For more scriptures, as well as the position of early Christians and others on watching violent sports or participating in other violent pursuits, please see the following:

Is American Football Evil? Is the most popular spectator sport in the USA something that Christians should watch? What do the Bible and early writings show? This is the first time I have announced this article on this new page and it contains not only my views, but many quotes that Christians, as well as people who claim to be, should think about. Do you really want to know the answer to the question the title asks? If not, why not?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
Prophecy Obama: Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.