PED 217 - Social Aspects of Sport

Chapter 13

Sport and Religion

If an America has a common religion, it is sport: sport has become the functional equivalent of religion in America today.

Religion is found virtually in all societies.

Sociologists think of religion in terms of what a society considers sacred, a system of symbols, beliefs, values, and practices of ultimate meaning.

It’s interesting that artifacts can become sacred, such as the “Sultan of Swat’s bat. When Babe Ruth was a living idol, the bat he hit home runs with was of course an object. This bat is in the Hall of Fame: it is an object which in itself represents the values of all members of the baseball community: it is sacred.

This bat shows 2 observations: Objects can become sacred, and symbols do not have fixed meanings (it’s only a bat)

Functions of Religion

The need for religion grows out of 3 conditions:

1. Contingency: the many uncertainties that humans face. They are:

Religion offers solace and provides an oasis in a frightening and threatening world. To some it provides a needed psychological crutch to lean on for support during uncertain times

2. Powerlessness
3. Scarcity: the nature of material goods and services. Religion has provided hope for the future to be able to receive these things. For those of good fortune, religion has justified their good fortune.

The social functions of religion: what religion contributes to the larger society:

1. Social control-the lists of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors (the should nots are listed in the 10 commandments). The should (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) exert some degree of control that makes human actions predictable.
2. Social integration-religion binds together members of a community that lean toward what is ok and not ok.

How characteristics of religion can be correlated with the dominant features of sport.

1. Beliefs-participation cultivates personal discipline, prepares one for the competitiveness of life, and contributes to physical and mental alertness.
2. Hierarchy-sports have high councils and ruling bodies typical of governing structures (NCAA).
3. Symbols-things such as bubble gum cards, autographs, photographs, game balls, programs are symbols of the sports faith.
4. Rituals-things such as tailgate parties, pregame and post game fun, watching the NFL Sunday countdown, etc. (page 383)
5. Propitiation-sports people find it important to make trips to shrines to the Hall of Fame.
6. Magic-athletes who wear lucky charms, or repeat rituals before every contest or action. It is somewhat a compulsion, to carry a rabbit’s foot or a 4 leaf clover, or to wear 2 different color shoelaces. It has been found that the most superstitious people are also the most frequent attendees of church

Other things regarding sport relating to religion

Taboo-the avoidance of some activity (a baseball player not stepping on the chalk line when they come onto the field) to prevent bad luck from occuring.

Fetishes-a particularly good or bad performance is associated with a particular phenomenon or event (coins, rosary beads, rabbit foot).

Superstitions-they often perform an important psychological function. It is a very real coping strategy, a way to handle the anxiety that comes with competition. It provides the athlete with a sense of control, and it provides a calming or soothing effect with contributes to anxiety reduction

Wayne Gretzky sprinkled baby powder on his stick before every game. A famous hockey coach would never stay on the 13th floor of a hotel or in room numbers adding up to 13. A goalie would not allow his sister to come to games.

One third of athletes admit to having superstitions regarding specific characteristics of sport: uniforms, equipment.

The late psychologist B.F. Skinner noted similar superstitious behavior when he experimented with pigeons. Hungry pigeons, after being fed, would associate their activity immeadiately before receiving the food as somehow having caused this reinforcement (food). So the birds would want to repeat the performance.

Athletes would not be superstitious about something if it didn’t create success (in their minds).