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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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102 comments

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krisdaly | Aug 12, 2012, 01:14 AM EDT

...AND THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS, AND THE DARKNESS DID NOT COMPREHEND IT.

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mtheresa | Aug 12, 2012, 12:45 AM EDT

Roberts: she also has freedom of speech.What a waste of time with your blather and spite!!!!

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greg_wheaton | Aug 11, 2012, 10:54 PM EDT

Sorry, Mr. Roberts . . . you're the one who's wrong. If you quoted her correctly, it seems to me that you deliberately misrepresented what she said. She said that God helped her be who she is . . . That is her opinion and her right. She was bein interviewed, not you, and she expressed her opinion and her faith. And you used HER interview to launch a diatribe against athletes expressing their faith . . . So who exhibitted less class???

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greg_wheaton | Aug 11, 2012, 10:23 PM EDT

This girl deserves to express her opinions. Is it because she is a Protestant and a Christian that she is being subject to so much abuse by Southern Ireland Catholics????. Despicable attitude by the Roman Catholic Church members. OR maybe they are not church members who are complaining.

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hollabackgurl | Aug 11, 2012, 09:21 PM EDT

Without God I would not be here to tell you that He doesn't need the publicity, He didn't ask for it, and He's not the reason she one.

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michaelidaho | Aug 11, 2012, 08:48 PM EDT

Definitely one of the most bizzare blogs I have ever read on Irish Central. At best, it is grossly insensitive to people of faith. At worst, it is bigotry plain and simple. Congratulations to Katie Taylor for her gold medal and the courage to proclaim her religious beliefs.

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cartersmate35 | Aug 11, 2012, 08:27 PM EDT

I think THIS is ridiculous! We are getting to be a picky planet! Why are we afraid to live our faith every day, as GOD HAS TAUGHT US????? Don't let the people who wish to censor us win!

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irishpjk | Aug 11, 2012, 07:50 PM EDT

wtf What is wrong with her saying this is what she believes got her there. Who has the right to censor what she wants to say in her interview. Thank god for people like her and the land of freedom which allows people like her to speak their mind. If you want censorship I can suggest a few places that you might move to.

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citizen69 | Aug 11, 2012, 07:26 PM EDT

Just more sensationalism from Irish Central... Cash for controversy. The more hype or controversy they can create around story, the more page hits on that article... and more hits means more advertising revenue. It's just a cheap online tabloid rag.

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seanomelb | Aug 11, 2012, 07:24 PM EDT

I can just imagine Jesus in shorts prancing around a boxing ring. That somehow reminds of Christy and the child of Prague.

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emorstscr | Aug 11, 2012, 06:53 PM EDT

I cannot believe these comments, she won because of years of training and hard work not because God was on her side, I found her remarks, within minutes of winning off putting.

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cillowen | Aug 11, 2012, 06:13 PM EDT

In an atheistc Ireland its nice to hear a creation of God's making satanic forces uncomfortable and looking stupid.

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seanomelb | Aug 11, 2012, 06:00 PM EDT

Katie has every right to her beliefs and as a practicing atheist I defend her right to believe what she wants.Must be a slow day for Roberts, surely this is not the best he can come up with .

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seanomelb | Aug 11, 2012, 05:12 PM EDT

Religion is a waste of time but if she believes that faith gave her the strength to win then let her rejoice and thank her god then fair play to her. You can't openly criticise a Jew for being Jewish or a Muslim so why do you think it's ok to criticise a Christian? As I said earlier i don't believe but i believe she has the right to belive and if she wants to thank him for it openly who are you to criticise? This is a crap story by a low rate 'wannabe' journo.

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billie061 | Aug 11, 2012, 04:32 PM EDT

Everyone is entitled to express their feelings, and in my mind Katie earned her right. Roberts get over yourself. And by the way I am not a practising catholic but I do have respect for those who are.

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