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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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Brolaur | Aug 26, 2012, 01:53 PM EDT

I congratulate Katie on her fabulous win but I agree her religion should be just that, her own. according to her logic her opponent should have won also! I think there's something Dark about that relationship with her Dad being so involved. God had nothing to do with her success. She's a messed up kid.

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curtisjohnson | Aug 15, 2012, 09:43 PM EDT

Kilsally has won the debate.

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Kilsally | Aug 15, 2012, 05:48 PM EDT

Katie is being true to herself and the bible - once born again, your faith is everything. I`m not quite sure where the author gets that faith should be private. Faith is personal relationship with Christand the great commission is to preach the gospel to the whole world. Might surprise a few but as an Ulster Orangeman was rooting for my sister in Christ from the South.

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cynicus | Aug 15, 2012, 12:55 PM EDT

What begrudgers Patrick Roberts and other 'antis' are! Those of you who do not believe in God or Jesus, just piss off and get over you obssession! If you don't like our Christian religion, then stop trying to vent your spleen on us; just go away and worship a rock or something that you can see and feel!!

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tmfkap | Aug 14, 2012, 02:44 PM EDT

As a born again christian she believes jesus is coming for her in a spaceship and will leave the rest of us behind (rapture). How is that good, positive or even sane?

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roibaird | Aug 14, 2012, 12:46 AM EDT

Roberts should check to see how many boxers of all nationalites cross themselves before and after their bouts .........as well as many other sports persons in their field of sport. Kate is more than entitled to say what makes her feel good!

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irishcoffeekid | Aug 13, 2012, 09:10 PM EDT

Oh get over it! She's entitled to put her win down to whatever she wants, her fighting spirit or her spiritual spirit - either way she won a gold medal and the whole of Ireland and the Irish are proud of her. In this day and age its great to see someone have the neck to talk about their faith - she's entitled to do so, its freedom of speech - stop looking for all the negatives and for once focus on the positives - only one coming out of this story bad is the writer!

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olgspu | Aug 13, 2012, 06:29 PM EDT

Dear Patrick, Good news there are so many wonderful things that you seem to be missing. For example some athletes thank God when they lose....read Shawn Johnson's Winning Balance in which she describes her reaction to coming second in Beijing. Think of it, Katie was telling the truth when she talked of her gratitude of God...would she be better off lying? spinning a take for the viewing audience. Do you realise what you have written..."Training, commitment and sheer raw talent is what won for Taylor". She is telling us that we does what she does for God which includes the hard slog of training, that her commitment, her winning commitment, is to God and that her raw talent comes from God...so why wouldn't she thank him. Finally, when Katie speaks she says positive, encouraging, beautiful things. A boxing coach who knows her confirmed this impression when he told me that there is "not one bad bone in her body". Maybe rather than criticise her for sharing her ardent love of God you might consider that with the help of God, you too could be happy and lose your obvious bitterness

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cuddlybuddly | Aug 13, 2012, 04:06 PM EDT

I thought the second She thanked God, how brave She was to let herself connect to her God in what is obviously a very strong relationship...now going on and on and on and on about it is another thing

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lokionline | Aug 13, 2012, 01:13 PM EDT

So Katie is a born again... so what? She won the medal, she gets the right to share her sense of what made that happen.

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jamieLM | Aug 13, 2012, 08:55 AM EDT

@Keviindar, well said. I saw athletes from many different countries crossing themselves and "thanking God." They were expressing their beliefs," as they have a right to do. Training, commitment, and raw talent are essential, but Mr. Roberts, you don't know for sure how God works in people's lives and if anyone wants to thank Him for having a hand in their success, so be it. Congratulations, Katie!!!! Well done.

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Keviindar | Aug 13, 2012, 08:05 AM EDT

Patrick Roberts obviously has some axe to grind. It is clear he hates Christians and Christianity, for whatever reason. Instead of simply congratulating Katie for her wonderful win, he decides to attack her faith, and her desire to give the glory for her achievement to her Creator. What is it with this guy? Why shouldn't she be allowed the Free Speech of declaring her Christian Faith is that is what she wanted to do? Where is the tolerance of this guy? It is clear he is just a mean spirited and bigoted individual, whos is just trying to make a name for himself I'm journalism, at the expense of his human dignity. He failed, Katie deserves all the praise for he win and for her courage in declaring her faith in a faithless, unbelieving and synical generation.

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lakeisle | Aug 13, 2012, 12:21 AM EDT

We all have and use material bodies which are very complex machines. We didn't create our own bodies or the world around us, but an intelligent force (who is ultimately a personal 'Being') did. Therefore there is nothing philosophically wrong in thanking God for anything. You can read more in the philosophy section of Krishna.com (among other places!)

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MichaelH | Aug 12, 2012, 09:44 PM EDT

As an agnostic (though still catholic!) I have no problem with Katie thanking God. It seems to me that you misunderstood what she was saying. Her message is that her God is an essential part of her life, her strength and her shield, and she would be nothing without him. At no point did she say that her God helped her win the fight. On the contrary, she has said that in her prayers before fights she prays for both herself and her opponent that God will keep them safe. Her Minister said the same thing last Thursday in a radio interview. It's not my belief system but this is a charming, immensely talented, humble, extraordinary young woman and if her faith has, in any way, helped her to become that then who am i to say she is wrong.

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seanomelb | Aug 12, 2012, 07:17 PM EDT

who cares whether she believes that "God" was behind her victory. Much ado about nothing. If Roberts believe that religion should be kept out of sport so what! Chaplainmiles you need to tone down "your" religious zealotry. A world without religion would be so calm and peaceful.

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