Humor is hot on Bleacher Report these days but I'm taking a slightly more serious look at football and life.
What is religion?
In a dictionary, Religion is defined as "beliefs and spiritual practices which run sets of mankind."
Sachin Tendulkar is God in India because Cricket is a religion.
In Football, supporters are too passionate about their respective clubs and they believe there is a loyalty that exists and it overtakes their minds.
Recently, as Manchester United played Liverpool at Anfield, where they were defeated 2-1, a distant relative of a friend parted ways with the love of her life.
I'd prefer not to name the couple but 'X' who supported Liverpool and her nine-year relationship with 'Y' headed towards Splitsville after a heated argument over 90 minutes of some intense football, where Ryan Babel ensured Liverpool took all three points.
They say "It's just a game" but as Dev Ashish pointed out, it clearly isn't.
The latest sensation on Bleacher Report has undoubtedly been the rise of Michelle Alves alongside a late bloomer, Thomas.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Michelle recently wrote a piece on "How Football Ruined Her Life"—it's a humor piece but makes for a good read.
Thomas' came out with "What To Bring and What Not To Bring To Bleacher Report"
Back to the topic now, Football is increasingly becoming a globalized phenomenon.
The English Premier League attracts an audience not just from England or Europe but from as far away as Asia and North America.
This growing fanbase of Premier League is largely due to Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal—Chelsea, I'm not too sure.
The new members of this contingent are often called "glory hunters" but some of them possess a passion which is hard to match.
After Chelsea's defeat to Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final, over nine different cases of suicide were reported—most of them were teenagers.
"Passion" or Stupidity, I'll leave that to you.
Maybe a line needs to be drawn, but can one ever be?
Being a true supporter of any football club around the world, regardless of it's popularity, whether it's Blackburn, Newcastle, Atlanta, Nurnberg, Dundee United, or LA Galaxy requires:
- Passion—this is essential.
- Patience—especially if you support Arsenal or Newcastle.
- Pulse—In Football, shocks and surprise are very regular, whether it's 6-0 rout or £32m signing of Robinho, you need a fighting heart which can withstand all "forces".
- Inspiration—If you're a Hull City supporter, fighting relegation, you need inspiration or a simple belief to beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium
- Commitment—Is it right to switch from Arsenal to Liverpool because of your girlfriend, when you've supported Liverpool since you were four?
- Confidence—Does this really need an explanation?
I love contradictions—I've voiced my opinion, now going back to the "Thought of the Day", I'd say "No".
Yes, football is just a bunch of men kicking a ball, when it's compared to religion.
Whether you're a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Red Devil, a Gunner, or a Scouser, I've got nothing against you...
Religion and the Belief of God is too superior to be compared to football or any sport for that matter...
Give us your thoughts....
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3 months ago
Religion and the Belief of God is too superior to be compared to football or any sport for that matter...
That's true, but there are many people who don't believe in God, or a superior being. A religion is a set of beliefs... whether it be in a superior being, or not.
Some people regard football as their life, it affects them, for such people it is a religion. I'm not saying it is or should be regarded higher than God , but for those who don't believe in a superior being ,it is a glimmer of hope...
I like to describe football as a "feeling"
A combination of pride, joy, sadness , hope, peace, comfort...
isn't that what religion brings to your life too?
Great article ,Salaar, absolutely brilliant
and thanks for the mention
cheers
3 months ago
Fair enough..
Thanks Michelle.
3 months ago
haha i just realised i sounded like an atheist :P im not really ;)
from 3 months ago
I got that feeling, I thought it would be rude to comment on your belief but it's good to know :P..Hahha
3 months ago
haha :P football isnt a religion for me to be honest , its life ;)
from 3 months ago
same here..haha..Michelle, you've given me another thought for an article.."Football, Is is bigger than life itself"..how does that sound? - kind of weird,eh?
3 months ago
No! its a brilliant idea...
i wrote an article called "Is cricket larger than life" for an examination... Got an A :P first time my English teacher ever gave anyone an "A" :P
from 3 months ago
Brilliant..I love Cricket too, hailing from Pakistan - we are just Cricket fanatics in the Indian subcontinent, the say "Cricket is inside our blood"...whats strange is Dubai doesnt really have a strong following for Cricket except the India, Pakistan immigrants do they...UAE does have a team..I've seen them get thrashed by Sri Lanka and India a few times in the Asia Cup :p
3 months ago
lol.. that true, the U.A.E cricket team isn't that great...
i long for those days when big games were played at sharjah... do you remember the India vs Australia game? The one that gave shane warne nightmares? haha i was there for that game :P even though i was hardly 8..best day ever!
Now that stadiums gone to the dogs :( no more great matches here :(
from 3 months ago
The Sharjah Cup was scrapped by the ICC since the Abu Dhabi Stadium was created...are you talking about the game where Tendulkar slaughtered Warne all around the wicket..I remember a six he hit of Damien Fleming..an unbelievable shot...great times.
3 months ago
yeah... but the Abu Dhabi stadium is too far away, i went there for the youth world cup finals, useless really :P
haha yeah, i remember... it was then i started liking the aussies ;P
from 3 months ago
haha..so who do you support in Cricket..there's no Liverpool there? :p
3 months ago
the aussies, started of with a shane warne craze, moved to brett lee.. and now shane watson :)
definately the aussies, india second (dhoni fan) and new zealand third (cuz i love ross taylor)
what about you?
from 3 months ago
Loyalty with my roots so Pakistan upfront and the Aussies then on and India..the arch rivals :p...I love cricket but nobody seems to care about that.
3 months ago
Religion is a way of life, more than feelings and passion. If football is one's religion or even worse, one's life, it's a person I deeply sypathize with.
I respect the fact that at the end you said, "Religion and the Belief of God is too superior to be compared to football or any sport for that matter..." because truly there are millions of ways to think but one truth, one right way, one God.
Football mania is something very common worldwide, but I wouldnt call it my religion nor anything near any belief of mine. '
from 3 months ago
good to know.
3 months ago
Nah - football can't really compare with religion.. not a chance..
Great article Salaar.. been busy off late?
from 3 months ago
Thanks Shyam..
Yes, I haven't gotten as much time..I'll be on and off..keep up the great work..
3 months ago
Ah, I wrote something similar recently, it won pick of the day. Religion is old and tired and not really changing to suit the evolved consciousness of humanity. To tell you the truth Salaar, with you as community leader I would expect a more succinct and readable article than this jumbled jotting of idea's. I think if anyone wholeheartedly believes in anything it can be more serious than a religious belief and therefore is more serious because they believe it is. To rubbish the opinions of others by saying that hands down religion is more important than something they might believe in is over the top. I do see your sycophants have come to the party with their various comments though. I have recently been disappointed with the downturn in quality articles on the site. Guido and Ana Maria at least are doing something to remedy this.
from 3 months ago
I respect your opinion, Illya..we all have off-days but calling them sycophants is not on.
3 months ago
I completely agree with you, Salaar. Great article. Football cannot even come close to being compared to a religion. I feel bad for those who treat it like it is.
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