speaking from a reputation lens: focus is on virtues, commendable ethical qualities embodied by the community. If a player wishes to express religion on the field/court then so be it (1st amendment). As long as the expression does not attack another player or represent something bad then so be it. I see no problem with it at all if the expression does not offend another person on the playing field because it was directed at them in a bad way.
I think that there should be no question to allow religious expressions in games. People have their freedom to believe in whatever they want and they should be allowed to express it on the field. I think that the NFL in particular has become way to strict with their rules on the field. It their expressions aren't causing any harm to any other players then they should be able to do what they want.
Agreed brother. Religious gestures are allowed in the public, as long as they are not harming others. Yes, some people take this too far and it is a touchy subject. Speaking from a reputation lens, these players have a religious right to express their beliefs. If they aren't harmful gestures, then who cares?
When my group analyzed this topic in class, we considered all four ethical perspectives and developed a response to this topic using each point-of-view.
From the rights and responsibilities lens, the consideration focuses on duties and abiding by the rules with an emphasis on the Kantian principle that the individual should also be an end and never the means to an end. Therefore, this perspective was utilized to stipulate that people should not have their religious freedom restricted for the purpose of maintaining or promoting harmony in society, as this constitutes limiting the autonomy of someone and thus applying them as a means to an albeit valiant end.
From the results lens, the focus is on the principle of utility and on maximizing pleasure or minimizing pain. The primary stakeholder that should be considered is the individual who seeks to express their religion while the secondary stakeholders are the fans and spectators who watch the sport. A cursory cost-benefit-analysis would suggest that limiting the rights of the individual to demonstrate their religion would constitute much more pain for the primary stakeholder than allowing for expression would for the secondary stakeholders. In this regard, therefore, it would likewise be unethical to limit the religious freedom of an athlete on the field, fairway, or court.
The relationship lens is concerned with fairness and the idea of justice as determined behind a veil of ignorance. The conclusions drawn for this ethical scenario through the use of this lens were that a perfectly just community would allow for religious freedom with the qualification that that right would not infringe on the respect due to other members of the community. Given that expression of religious beliefs on the field or court does not really infringe on the rights of others, this ethical lens likewise indicates that restriction is unethical.
Finally, from the reputation lens—which emphasizes virtuous behavior and good citizenship—community values require religious freedom, as this is a foundation of our society and culture and is clearly outlined in the Bill of Rights. As a result, expression on the field or court should be permitted, again though within reason and not in excess (for example, it would be unreasonable if such expression resulted in delaying the game).
In conclusion, all of these ethical lenses lead to the same conclusion—that religious freedom should be maintained even at sporting events—but utilize different reasons and considerations to support said conclusion.
Speaking from the reputation lens, I think that it is ok to allow religious expression on the field/court because sports are one part of people's lives just like religion is one part of their lives as well. I also think that culture plays a role in different people's religions and its importance to them. So I think that mixing sports and religion is a way for some athletes to give thanks for the sport they participate in. Like Jake said we all have the right of freedom of speech in this country given to us in the 1st amendment so in my view I think that it is alright for athletes to give religious expression on the field/court as long as it is not excessive and as long as they do not try to push it onto their fellow participates
When looking according to the Results Lens, I believe religious expressions should be allowed to be shown on the field/court. The focus of the results lens is said to be on the results of our actions, consequentialism. If an athlete makes the decision to devote their life through God, or whatever their beliefs consist of, they should be able to dedicate their success to him on the playing field. As the Lens says we must make decisions that will help us reach our goals, and choosing a religious lifestyle has helped numerous athletes reach their goals. I personally don't see the difference between giving credit to your coach or a trainer in an interview and givinng the credit to God; they are all someone to lean on and trust in to lead you towards success. I know after my wreck I would not have been able to mentally or physically make the recovery I did without the help of God, and if someone asked that would be the first thing I would tell them. We are blessed with freedom of speech in this country and telling athletes they can not show their religion on the playing field or giving credit to God in an interview is intruding on that freedom. Next step will be making athletes cover up cross tattoos, or not letting them wear a cross on their necklaces.
I think that you should be able to, but when looking through the responsibilities lens, and how it focuses on duties and abiding by the rules, should high school or college teams be penalized for breaking the rule of celebrating after a touchdown or a big play? Because you are breaking a rule by celebrating even though it is a religious expression. College is more lenient, but I've seen stories on high school kids getting penalized for doing so.
When looking at whether or not religion should be expressed on the court/field from the results lens, I believe that it should be expressed if the player wishes to do so. In the results lens it is believed that a person portraying these characteristics take on what will make them happy and in their happiness what their consequences may be. If a player believes in God and a certain religion than it is their God-given right to reflect what they believe in whatever way they believe. If that means praying before and/or after a game, doing the sign of the cross after a touchdown, etc. let them do so. If it makes them happy then why get in their way. They know the consequences and that if they are going to do something that portrays their religious lifestyle, they may get some flack for it, that's life. Not everyone in life is ever going to believe the same thing, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't express what you believe on and off the field, especially if it makes you happy that you play your sport(s) through your religion,
Looking through the rights and responsibilities lens which basically state the golden rule. I think it is unfair to the players who are being judged by the referees because their action is different. If I was in that players shoes I would want to be able to express myself to God without the fear of reprisal due to the views of someone else. Now now looking at it from the perspective of the ref with the results lens I would want them to not take a long time celebrating, if they slow down the game then it would slow down the game thus interfering with the refs job. To them this may be why they want religious aspects out of the game, but I disagree with this view and believe that the best amount of good for the least amount of pain (Utilitarianism). There is no real pain cause by letting them celebrate to their God therefore should not be punished or not allowed. The US was founded on the principles of freedom of Religion why should we restrict it, on that aspect if it is distracting toward the game (too long of a celebration) then it shouldn't be allowed.
I think there should be no say in if there should be religious in sports games or not. People have the freedom to believe and practice whatever they want. When looking through the rights and responsibilities lens everyone should be allowed to show religion. Guys play sports with tattoos of crosses, Jesus, etc. on their body and don't get punished. guys also point to the sky to give thanks to God and they don't get in trouble I think you should be able to express yourself how ever you want without getting penalized for it.
From a reputation lens, I think the athlete should be able to make any religious gesture he wanted on the field, regardless of what denomination they are. It is your first amendment right to make whatever gesture you want, as long as its not provoking or insulting anyone else. But you know people will take this too far, as everything else. I wish the media wasn't as awful as they are, making a big deal out of nothing all the time.
When speaking from a reputation lens, I feel that it should be allowed and commended that athletes should be able to express their religious actions through celebration. No matter where you're from, it should be seen as a freedom of your first amendment and no one is allowed to take that away from you. If the religious gestures or action are intentionally hurting or offending someone, then there is room for judgement. The media more than anything provokes these kinda things when they happen on a field or court.
Yes, i believe that religious expression should be allowed on the field or court. I say that because we should have the freedom to express what we want. on the other hand if those expressions offender or hurt another person, than that is when they should not be allowed.
speaking from a reputation lens: focus is on virtues, commendable ethical qualities embodied by the community. If a player wishes to express religion on the field/court then so be it (1st amendment). As long as the expression does not attack another player or represent something bad then so be it. I see no problem with it at all if the expression does not offend another person on the playing field because it was directed at them in a bad way.
ReplyDeleteI think that there should be no question to allow religious expressions in games. People have their freedom to believe in whatever they want and they should be allowed to express it on the field. I think that the NFL in particular has become way to strict with their rules on the field. It their expressions aren't causing any harm to any other players then they should be able to do what they want.
ReplyDeleteAgreed brother. Religious gestures are allowed in the public, as long as they are not harming others. Yes, some people take this too far and it is a touchy subject. Speaking from a reputation lens, these players have a religious right to express their beliefs. If they aren't harmful gestures, then who cares?
DeleteWhen my group analyzed this topic in class, we considered all four ethical perspectives and developed a response to this topic using each point-of-view.
ReplyDeleteFrom the rights and responsibilities lens, the consideration focuses on duties and abiding by the rules with an emphasis on the Kantian principle that the individual should also be an end and never the means to an end. Therefore, this perspective was utilized to stipulate that people should not have their religious freedom restricted for the purpose of maintaining or promoting harmony in society, as this constitutes limiting the autonomy of someone and thus applying them as a means to an albeit valiant end.
From the results lens, the focus is on the principle of utility and on maximizing pleasure or minimizing pain. The primary stakeholder that should be considered is the individual who seeks to express their religion while the secondary stakeholders are the fans and spectators who watch the sport. A cursory cost-benefit-analysis would suggest that limiting the rights of the individual to demonstrate their religion would constitute much more pain for the primary stakeholder than allowing for expression would for the secondary stakeholders. In this regard, therefore, it would likewise be unethical to limit the religious freedom of an athlete on the field, fairway, or court.
The relationship lens is concerned with fairness and the idea of justice as determined behind a veil of ignorance. The conclusions drawn for this ethical scenario through the use of this lens were that a perfectly just community would allow for religious freedom with the qualification that that right would not infringe on the respect due to other members of the community. Given that expression of religious beliefs on the field or court does not really infringe on the rights of others, this ethical lens likewise indicates that restriction is unethical.
Finally, from the reputation lens—which emphasizes virtuous behavior and good citizenship—community values require religious freedom, as this is a foundation of our society and culture and is clearly outlined in the Bill of Rights. As a result, expression on the field or court should be permitted, again though within reason and not in excess (for example, it would be unreasonable if such expression resulted in delaying the game).
In conclusion, all of these ethical lenses lead to the same conclusion—that religious freedom should be maintained even at sporting events—but utilize different reasons and considerations to support said conclusion.
Speaking from the reputation lens, I think that it is ok to allow religious expression on the field/court because sports are one part of people's lives just like religion is one part of their lives as well. I also think that culture plays a role in different people's religions and its importance to them. So I think that mixing sports and religion is a way for some athletes to give thanks for the sport they participate in. Like Jake said we all have the right of freedom of speech in this country given to us in the 1st amendment so in my view I think that it is alright for athletes to give religious expression on the field/court as long as it is not excessive and as long as they do not try to push it onto their fellow participates
ReplyDeleteWhen looking according to the Results Lens, I believe religious expressions should be allowed to be shown on the field/court. The focus of the results lens is said to be on the results of our actions, consequentialism. If an athlete makes the decision to devote their life through God, or whatever their beliefs consist of, they should be able to dedicate their success to him on the playing field. As the Lens says we must make decisions that will help us reach our goals, and choosing a religious lifestyle has helped numerous athletes reach their goals. I personally don't see the difference between giving credit to your coach or a trainer in an interview and givinng the credit to God; they are all someone to lean on and trust in to lead you towards success. I know after my wreck I would not have been able to mentally or physically make the recovery I did without the help of God, and if someone asked that would be the first thing I would tell them. We are blessed with freedom of speech in this country and telling athletes they can not show their religion on the playing field or giving credit to God in an interview is intruding on that freedom. Next step will be making athletes cover up cross tattoos, or not letting them wear a cross on their necklaces.
ReplyDeleteI think that you should be able to, but when looking through the responsibilities lens, and how it focuses on duties and abiding by the rules, should high school or college teams be penalized for breaking the rule of celebrating after a touchdown or a big play? Because you are breaking a rule by celebrating even though it is a religious expression. College is more lenient, but I've seen stories on high school kids getting penalized for doing so.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts?
When looking at whether or not religion should be expressed on the court/field from the results lens, I believe that it should be expressed if the player wishes to do so. In the results lens it is believed that a person portraying these characteristics take on what will make them happy and in their happiness what their consequences may be. If a player believes in God and a certain religion than it is their God-given right to reflect what they believe in whatever way they believe. If that means praying before and/or after a game, doing the sign of the cross after a touchdown, etc. let them do so. If it makes them happy then why get in their way. They know the consequences and that if they are going to do something that portrays their religious lifestyle, they may get some flack for it, that's life. Not everyone in life is ever going to believe the same thing, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't express what you believe on and off the field, especially if it makes you happy that you play your sport(s) through your religion,
ReplyDeleteLooking through the rights and responsibilities lens which basically state the golden rule. I think it is unfair to the players who are being judged by the referees because their action is different. If I was in that players shoes I would want to be able to express myself to God without the fear of reprisal due to the views of someone else. Now now looking at it from the perspective of the ref with the results lens I would want them to not take a long time celebrating, if they slow down the game then it would slow down the game thus interfering with the refs job. To them this may be why they want religious aspects out of the game, but I disagree with this view and believe that the best amount of good for the least amount of pain (Utilitarianism). There is no real pain cause by letting them celebrate to their God therefore should not be punished or not allowed. The US was founded on the principles of freedom of Religion why should we restrict it, on that aspect if it is distracting toward the game (too long of a celebration) then it shouldn't be allowed.
ReplyDeleteI think there should be no say in if there should be religious in sports games or not. People have the freedom to believe and practice whatever they want. When looking through the rights and responsibilities lens everyone should be allowed to show religion. Guys play sports with tattoos of crosses, Jesus, etc. on their body and don't get punished. guys also point to the sky to give thanks to God and they don't get in trouble I think you should be able to express yourself how ever you want without getting penalized for it.
ReplyDeleteFrom a reputation lens, I think the athlete should be able to make any religious gesture he wanted on the field, regardless of what denomination they are. It is your first amendment right to make whatever gesture you want, as long as its not provoking or insulting anyone else. But you know people will take this too far, as everything else. I wish the media wasn't as awful as they are, making a big deal out of nothing all the time.
ReplyDeleteWhen speaking from a reputation lens, I feel that it should be allowed and commended that athletes should be able to express their religious actions through celebration. No matter where you're from, it should be seen as a freedom of your first amendment and no one is allowed to take that away from you. If the religious gestures or action are intentionally hurting or offending someone, then there is room for judgement. The media more than anything provokes these kinda things when they happen on a field or court.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYes, i believe that religious expression should be allowed on the field or court. I say that because we should have the freedom to express what we want. on the other hand if those expressions offender or hurt another person, than that is when they should not be allowed.
ReplyDelete