Should Christians View or Participate in Sporting Events that Honor Pagan gods

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presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,160
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#22
Paul's conversation about idols (especially 1 Cor 8 and 1 Cor 10) is basically to say idols are nothing in themselves and that actions associated with idol worship aren't necessarily idolatry.
Paul gave other reasons for not participating in idolatrous practices beyond seeing an idol is nothing:
- the sacrifices are to demons
- he did not want them to have fellowship with demons
- they should not provoke the Lord to jealousy.

Some people stop in chapter 8 and do not read through to chapter 10.


We shouldn't eat food offered to idols if we are told but we do not have to ask, for the earth is the Lord's and everything in it.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
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#23
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
My thought is that the Devil is real, but Zeus is an obvious myth. I don't think that the Olympics would be considered demonic.

My question would rather be whether the years of training for the Olympics would be a worthwhile investment of the precious little time we have to prepare for eternity.


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ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,256
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#24
But He didn't. There is no record of him attending any such event. There were Olympic games and Gladiator games in the time while Jesus was here.
Basically Jesus taught in the synagogues and where ever crowds thronged him, as he went about teaching his disciples.
Okay, if you say so.
 
Jun 28, 2022
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#26
They do not bow down to idols?
You don't know what you're talking about. 😊🕊️
And are averse to changing that.

Have you ever been to southeast or east Asia?
Have you?I'd say no, or else you'd know better.

You should have read it. Then you'd know better than to keep on with your display.

You know nothing of Buddhism or bowing as pertains to Asian culture. And it was an article URL you copied while obviously never reading the article.

You really have nothing more to say when you don't know what you're talking about.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,160
1,787
113
#27
My thought is that the Devil is real, but Zeus is an obvious myth. I don't think that the Olympics would be considered demonic.

My question would rather be whether the years of training for the Olympics would be a worthwhile investment of the precious little time we have to prepare for eternity.
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Certain Old Testament passages seem to indicate there are real entities behind pagan gods or can be. Deuteronomy 32 warned that Israelites would worship shedim (demons). Paul warned that those that sacrificed to idols sacrificed to demons and not to God.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
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#28
I dont know, Im not really into sports. Does anyone wear nike shoes (isn't Nike a god? )
I cant think of any other sports gods.
It seems to me that many put throwing balls around games Gods. It should be a relaxing entertain to play these games, instead it is a leading "religion" in our country. I wonder if it doesn't take our money, instead of using it as God instructs us to do. Our newspapers even has a separate section devoted to sports, that is not true of newspapers speaking of news about religion.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,005
4,313
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#29
Many years ago, I turned on the TV to see an image of Zeus being paraded around at the beginning of the Olympics.
what do you mean to participate? Jesus walked around in Ciserea Philippi, where there were temples to Zeus, the god of Pan and the dancing goats, and the cave known as the gates of Hell. Jesus asked the disciples who do these people here say that I am. Then Jesus said who do you say that I am? There is no better place to make it known that Jesus is the only way than at a false god event :)

  • Elijah challenged a false god and their prophets.
  • The Ark of the Covenant was placed by the FALSE god of Dagon
  • Paul ate meat sacrificed to false gods
  • and a Christian Olympian can Thank Lord for his or her as the nation looks on.
We have not been given the spirit of fear but one of Love, power, and healthy mind
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,903
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#30
what do you mean to participate? Jesus walked around in Ciserea Philippi, where there were temples to Zeus, the god of Pan and the dancing goats, and the cave known as the gates of Hell. Jesus asked the disciples who do these people here say that I am. Then Jesus said who do you say that I am? There is no better place to make it known that Jesus is the only way than at a false god event :)
He even mentioned the gates of hell while near or at the gates of hell...
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,903
29,286
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#31
Paul continues his argument in chapter 10.
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

1 Timothy 4:1 plus 1 Corinthians 10:18-21~ The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot
drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.[/COLOR
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#32
Certain Old Testament passages seem to indicate there are real entities behind pagan gods or can be. Deuteronomy 32 warned that Israelites would worship shedim (demons). Paul warned that those that sacrificed to idols sacrificed to demons and not to God.
Deuteronomy has lots of interesting little rules. We who have been born again live under the New Testament now.


Matthew 22

37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.


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