Politics and Football

There is a lot of information coming to light about the interaction of REAL football and international relations. By real football, I mean soccer, as us Americans call it. Only in America can we turn the ole' pigskin game that is played with the hands into "football," which doesn't actually use the feet at all. (Yes, I know they kick field goals and punt, but the kicker is also the least respected guy on the team. They slap his helmet, but secretly think he is a wuss for not suiting up on the line...)

But here I am talking about real football. The one actually played with feet, involving dribbling, crossing over, crossing the ball, fake shots and step overs... Players who can literally dance with the ball over 100 yrds down the field. Not 300 lb linemen bashing each other's skulls in, or running backs cutting the knees out from under a charging linebacker. Not even basketball, which does involve more skill than American "football." No, I am talking about the jurga bonito, the beautiful game, played by BILLIONS around the world. The game that causes billions of people to stop whatever they are doing and watch their favorite, famous (or infamous) players take the field and battle for 90 full minutes at a full sprint. That, folks, is the beautiful game!

But I digress... Football and politics...

There are a number of great books coming out discussing our topic: Soccernomics, How Soccer Changed the World, etc. They argue that soccer has a greater impact on the world than we Americans would believe.

For instance:
How many of you know about the difficulties being encountered by FIFA over the Ireland/France World Cup Qualifying game a week ago? Thiery Henry, (Tea-airy On-Ree, for those you you who might need a more phoenetic spelling), played the ball with his hands on the goal line, played the ball back across the face of the goal, allowing another French player to score and keep the Irish squad from qualifying for the World Cup. Henry has apologized and admitted to handling the ball, but the referee's discretion wins the day. (Now even the refs have admitted it was handling, but you cannot overturn a game decision. It is a part of the Laws of the Game...)



OR...

How many of you know about the basketball refereee who was accused of fixing NBA games? Well, FIFA is currently arresting DOZENS of referees around the world for the exact same offense. (Much of this has taken place in Europe, although it is a problem around the world...) FIFA is distressed by the scandal and level of cheating taking place, and wants to make a change.

OR...

How many of you know that the Arab/Israeli conflict extends to football? Even in places that aren't Israel or Arab states. For instance... Amr Zaki is a top striker who plays for Wigan. He has been courted by the larger club Portsmouth for a few years. Portsmouth is owned by another Arab, Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who would love to have Zaki on his team. Zaki, an Egyptian national, refuses to consider signing, stating that he refuses to play on a team that has any Israelis in their employ. These two Israelis, defender Tal Ben Haim and Avram Grant, the director of football operations. Zaki refuses to consider having ANYTHING to do with a Jew. "I refused their offen before, but now joining Portsmouth is no longer an option for me... After Portsmouth signed an Israeli player and hired an Israeli football director a possible move was ruled out." Racism at its finest, ladies and gentlemen. And Egypt was the first Arab nation to diplomatically recognize Israel!

Zaki has also refused to sign because there is also an Algerian player on the squad, and Egypt and Algeria recently came to blows on the soccer pitch. (Algeria recently defeated Egypt, the "African soccer champion," in a tie-breaker played in Sudan last Wednesday. Riots have taken place in Cairo which involve the burning of the Algerian flag and the beating of Algerian citizens. Granted, lots of problems have taken place recently between the two countries. Rioters attacked Algerians with rocks in Cairo, injuring four. Algerians burned Egyptian businesses to the ground in Algeria in retaliation...) Currently, the Egyptian government is discussing cutting ALL diplomatic ties with Algeria.

This makes Oakland Raiders fans look pretty tame in comparison!

The Flag and the Cross

Last night I was watching ABC News with Charlie Gibson. They were interviewing a soldier in who had known Major Hassan in the Army and worked with him in the past.

In his interview, the soldier said something that rubbed me the wrong way. "I always had a problem with him. He always said he was a Muslim first and an American second. But I didn't think that was right. If you took an oath to defend your country and the Constitution, that should come first. Anything else is simply wrong."

In our nation, where radical faith of any kind is looked down on or questioned, it seems like his statements make sense. He wants to attack radical Islam and make sure that it cannot rear its ugly head again.

But here is my problem. I have always considered myself a Christian first and an American second. My allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, and always will be so. I have no problem with patriotism and loving one's country, and even dying for one's country in order to defend rights and freedoms. But as a Christian, regardless of how much I love my country, I simply cannot drink all of its Kool-Aid.

As a Christian I cannot just ignore some of the legal things that I think are unethical. I must always view my political leanings as an outlet of my faith. Now, this says nothing about being a Democrat or a Republican. Both are fine places to sit, and neither is a Christian position. Rather, I approach every issue in life in light of my faith. My belief in God MUST color my thoughts about abortion, capital punishment, unjust war, taxes, health care, etc. As Paul tells me "'Everything is permissible,' but not everything is beneficial..."

I am a Christian first and an American second. It simply isn't going to change, regardless of what the government or the military tells me. My allegiance to the flag does not trump my allegiance to the cross; when one stands in stark contrast to the other, I must take notice.

Does this make sense? What are your thoughts?

The Gospel of Beautiful Music

I often imagine that my Christian walk is a symphony. As a Christian I am simply asked to play my instrument (use my gift) for the greater glory. As a musician in an orchestra I may have a huge role. I could get a solo, my name in print, a chance to be on the billboard or stand and take a bow. Or, I could be a third french horn or the triangle player. Their part isn't nearly as big, yet without them the symphony wouldn't be the same. Each of us has a part to play to make the greater whole bigger and better than it would be without us. So use your gifts.

One of the amazing things about music is that it is universal. Now, the sounds may differ, the notes may be different, but every culture has some musical form. The technique and theory are the same, but the manifestation might be very different from Brazil to inner city Memphis to Appalachia to France. Music flows out of the soul and expresses our deepest needs and desires; it gives life to ideas that we don't have words for. It cries out our deepest longings that we might not even realize that we have.

I think this is a new way of looking at the Gospel, the Gospel of Beautiful Music. The gospel is the same across the world, yet it's manifestations might be different. Christianity in Brazil doesn't exactly look like Christianity in inner city Memphis, or in suburban Fairfax Virginia, or in France, Ghana, China, Afghanistan, etc. Yet the Truth is still the same. As Christians, each of us has a part to play in the continuation of the music. Each of us has been given gifts to use for the Kingdom, and we are called to do that faithfully. We can choose not to, and the music will continue on, yet something will be missing. So, brothers and sisters, let's use our gifts to God's glory, to allow the beautiful music to continue.

I saw this video a few months ago, but never got the chance to post it. I think it echoes the idea that music is universal. I hope you enjoy!