Sin rears its head in sports

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

Don't think the world is getting more complicated? Consider: You could sin by rooting for the wrong sports team.

Before Packer fans say, "We've been telling Bears', Vikings' and Lions' fans that for years," that's not what it means.

Fr. William McFadden, a theologian and rector of Scotus College, Scotland's national seminary, told Scottish soccer fans they might be sinning if they do not back England in the World Cup. Scotland did not qualify for the World Cup and England is their historical and soccer archrival.

"If a Scot has an automatic negative reaction to supporting England, then they would have to question where that feeling is coming from," he said. "As Christians we are called to have positive relationships with others who may be different from us. If we have an automatic anti-relationship with someone simply because they are English, then that is anti-Christian. On the other hand, if your motivation comes from the enjoyment of football (soccer) and you choose to support a different team for that reason, then there is no sin in not supporting England."

In other words, if an NFC Northern Division team other than the Packers is in the 2007 Super Bowl - God forbid - it would be wrong to root for the AFC team just because of who the NFC team is. But it would be OK if someone liked the way the AFC team plays. So far, no word on whether there's a loophole based on team colors or mascot.