Customer Reviews

God In The Stadium: Sports and Religion in America

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Very in depth commentary on the historical, social relationship of sports and religion, particularly in the South. Almost of equal importance in this work is the inseparable bond of both to the military.
This book is not for the casual reader. The subject is covered in depth and the author philosophizes in great depth through very weighty questions.
While one may not agree with every statement, I'm certain the author does not either, but rather wishes for the reader to think hard about perspectives and cultural realities that we often follow blindly or just take for granted.
He definitely succeeds in doing this. Most will be angered and nearly driven to arms while reading, but will come away with a greater understanding of the the profound influence of these great phenomena in American Culture.

The author has some good thoughts here: 1. Christians are commanded to be servants--the shepherd metaphor is used throughout the Bible. 2. Modern Christianity has begun to succumb to the world's idolization of entertainers--including athletes. 3. All perspective has been lost in the world of sports. Winning is everything and we overapply "life lessons" from games.

Unfortunately these good points get lost in page after page of bitter ranting and boring exposition.

Dr. Higgs' begins with a premise that good Christianity "balances" the victory-over-sin-and-adversity aspects of the faith (practiced by knights) with humble servitude (practiced by shepherds).

Nearly the entire text of his book is spent running down knights. He finds an assortment of sins practiced mostly by the black knights of Christian fundamentalism (manliness is among the worst). As a result, he ends up taking on strange allies--frauds and demagogues like Mitch Snyder and Jesse Jackson, for instance--and even atheists like Mark Twain.

Professor Higgs' interesting points are completely washed out with nearly continual tirades about "knighthood." There is a good catalog of background research included, even if it is presented from the far left end of the political-religious-cultural spectrum. The book might be a useful find for someone doing research, but overall a big disappointment.