{"id":392,"date":"2006-06-23T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2006-06-23T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/idolchatter\/2006\/06\/world-cup-interlude.html"},"modified":"2006-06-23T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2006-06-23T12:00:00","slug":"world-cup-interlude","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2006\/06\/world-cup-interlude.html","title":{"rendered":"World Cup Interlude"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

And so the dream has died, with the United States\u2019 loss to Ghana <\/a>yesterday (2-1) in the World Cup competition. Even though Italy did its part by beating Czechoslovakia (2-0), the U.S.\u2019s loss cemented its shameful exit from the first round of the 2006 World Cup. I guess all my \u201cbismillahs\u201d as the U.S. maneuvered for a goal and all my prayers to God<\/a> for a U.S. victory went unanswered. Them\u2019s the breaks.<\/p>\n

But the excitement persists, and faithful fans continue to call on the highest power to put their team over. In my opinion, it’s faith (and skill, of course, and maybe some questionable calls by the referees) that drives this tournament. In fact the churches of Germany are capitalizing on the World Cup by trying to reach out to people of all religions.<\/p>\n

An article on Forbes.com<\/a> reports that thousands of churches asked for and received broadcast rights to the games: \u201cSome are showing them on large screens in churches–others… in impromptu places of worship. Preachers have worked soccer themes into their sermons.\u201d It seems that church officials are stressing the similarities between religion and soccer: \u201cboth have rituals, offer a sense of community, a chance to leave the ordinary behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

And apparently Christianity has cornered the world cup market in Germany. The article goes on to report that Muslim and Jewish communities are not undertaking similar efforts.<\/p>\n

Too bad. It seems to me that the churches of Germany have latched onto something interesting. Want to increase attendance? Just broadcast World Cup soccer! But that doesn\u2019t guarantee that your parishioners will listen to your message about God. As one Roman Catholic Church spokeswoman said, “We have to be realistic. Most people come here to watch soccer.”<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

And so the dream has died, with the United States\u2019 loss to Ghana yesterday (2-1) in the World Cup competition. Even though Italy did its part by beating Czechoslovakia (2-0), the U.S.\u2019s loss cemented its shameful exit from the first round of the 2006 World Cup. 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