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People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Olympic winner Katie Taylor wrong to bring religion into sports

Posted on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 08:38 AM

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Katie Taylor

Olympic winner Katie Taylor was wrong to bring religion into sports - Saying God ensured she’d win her gold medal is just plain wrong

Right after Katie Taylor’s victory she was interviewed on RTE, Ireland’s national television station. She took her first few minutes of the interview to thank the Lord and Jesus Christ her Savior for her victory.

"I serve an amazing God and without Him I wouldn't be here without this gold medal around my neck," said Taylor, who wore a robe with the line, "The Lord is my shepherd and my shield."

"I would be nothing without God. He's the main thing in my life, the most important thing."

If you were unaware that Taylor was a born-again Christian, then her remarks set you straight. It was an unwelcome insight into a special moment, Ireland’s first gold medal since 1996.

It struck a jarring note, at least for this writer. Religion does not mix with sports or politics in my opinion. Religious views should be held in private and should not be used to justify victory, defeat or anything else.

I am sick and tired of athletes here in America using Jesus as their touchstone when they win (though they seem to forget to thank him when they lose).

Let’s get it straight, there is nothing wrong with being religious and pious and if it helps your focus and your ambition to win, so be it.

But to say that God has directly intervened to help you win is complete nonsense.

Besides, if there is a God, He/She has better things to be doing than worrying about an obscure boxing competition or an NFL game.

There has not been a word of criticism of Taylor’s over-the-top religious comments in Ireland, where she walks on water after her Olympic victory.

I can bet they would be the first to roll their eyes if it was an American who was spouting such sentiments after winning her gold medal.

There is a private place for religion in athlete’s lives but making a point of making God and Jesus the prime reason for your victory is absurd.

Training, commitment and sheer raw talent is what won for Taylor, not some religious blessing from an Almighty deity.

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POL O L | Aug 12, 2012, 03:37 PM EDT

I would like to Thank Jesus for letting me find this Excellent site a few days ago.Hello,I turned off my TV when that crap exited her mouth.Get a life.They all seem to be Thanking,Kissing,Bowing,Praying to someone these days on various sports fields.Ban it all.

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antoman | Aug 12, 2012, 03:21 PM EDT

@woundedbollix- how about your create another few accounts and discuss with yourself the pro's and cons of being imbecile? I've no doubt it would be an insightful discussion. And perhaps at the end of it I may be able to suggest a cure for you.

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DrTrelawney | Aug 12, 2012, 03:14 PM EDT

Will people stop bleating about "free speech". Nowhere in the article does Roberts suggest that he wants Taylor or any other bible-basher to be prohibited from praising their made-up deity. He merely says that he would prefer if they didn't do so. He is exercising his own right to free speech.

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WoundedKnee | Aug 12, 2012, 02:26 PM EDT

Where were all the people who are now attacking Roberts when the free speech and civil rights of Catholics were under attack on this site?

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WoundedKnee | Aug 12, 2012, 02:23 PM EDT

antoman: You're going to comment even less here? Wow, the average IQ here just went up 10 points. Now if only a couple of your fellow imbeciles would make the same commitment...

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chaplainmiles | Aug 12, 2012, 01:38 PM EDT

Patrick Roberts has never disguised his blatant hostility toward religion,Christians or even more pronounced, his hostility toward God. Something has made him a very bitter person which is very sad. Roberts is more to be pitied than vilified. Rev. Austin Miles

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cherykie | Aug 12, 2012, 01:04 PM EDT

Not only are you wrong about Katie and her rights, you wrongly commented about religion not mixing with sports or politics. Sports and politics may not mix well with true religion, but true religion permeates every aspect of a believer's life, because it is God who gives life and sustains it, and who can take it in any given moment. Appreciate every breath you draw, PR, it's only on loan...

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Gearoid4 | Aug 12, 2012, 10:16 AM EDT

The sentiments in this article are typical of a very narrow, intolerant mindset, that has beset liberal commentators, regarding anyone who proclaims a Religious Faith in the Public Square. She is just acknowledging the graces which she has received from her Creator. Some like the author of this piece would like sporting heros/heroines like Katie, to restrict their Faith to behind closed doors. But we are living in so-called liberal democracies, and the practice of Religious Faith is guaranteed in both the public and private spheres.

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johnymac60 | Aug 12, 2012, 10:15 AM EDT

Begrudgery. Absolute and utter. Roberts, you are a piece of work. When you win your next olympic gold, let us all know, will ya.

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oldboreen | Aug 12, 2012, 09:55 AM EDT

Equally, Patrick Roberts,given your obviously biased view of faith, you're just as "wrong to bring religion" into this article. Could'nt you have simply celebrated her success and left it at that? Or was the temptation to push your own agenda too much to resist?

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micky74007 | Aug 12, 2012, 09:38 AM EDT

Thank God for women and atheletes like her. Has anyone else noticed how stupid and spiteful this site has become?

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antoman | Aug 12, 2012, 08:43 AM EDT

My reply to this spiteful and clearly antagonistic article is to unlike IrishCentral on facebook and comment even less on this site.

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dochara | Aug 12, 2012, 07:17 AM EDT

Absolutely 100% right Patrick and kudos to you for saying it in public. Her references to her God and her Lord were nothing less than embarrassing and should NOT have been said. So her God wants her to physically beat another woman?

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boydshield | Aug 12, 2012, 06:01 AM EDT

Patrick are you an eejit? God has time for every thing and every one. And to say if there is a God?Niall should be done and rid of you, you pompous Amadan!

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BARNEYKX | Aug 12, 2012, 06:01 AM EDT

Theres been talk of Katie maybe going the pro route,after reading todays sunday mail it would be maybe madness for her to even considerate it according to girl pros in USA they barely get a living out of it,with her boxing grants and sponserships she is doing very well for herself in deed and im sure she will have more sponsers queuing up for her name on their products WHAT DO YOU THINK??

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