Anyone who follows hockey knows that Maple Leaf fans are into self-flagellation while Canadiensfans are pentecostal in their fervour (hey, this is Pentecost weekend.)
I heard a professor from the University of Montreal who teaches a course on -- yes-- hockey as religion. Professor Bauer (can you believe the name) teaches theology and points out that in French the legendary hockey team is often known as the Sainte-Flanelle (the Holy Flannel). Before Jaroslav Halak supplanted young goaltender Carey Price he was nicknamed Jesus Price, as the savior of the team. He says that some people believe that they can be healed by touching the jersey of Habs great, Maurice Richard.
Come to think of it, some people refer to hell as H-E-Double Hockey Stick.
Bauer isn't sure whether we should do battle with hockey as religion or build on the spiritual sensibilities. All I know is that a lot of clergy have a love/hate relationship with hockey. It used be possible to play hockey as a kid and go to church. Now hockey pushes the faith community into the background, and I feel strongly that those children and society will end up losing out because of it.
What do you think about Bauer's course? And what about organized religion jostling with organized sports and other activities? Oh yes, the Canadiens "resurrected" their playoff hopes last night.
From watching the Eastern final last night I can say with some certainly that God is obviously a Montreal fan.
ReplyDeleteThat aside, I hadn't considered how the game (in its gestational stages) has pushed church to the back burner. Such an interesting observation!
Thanks Ian - I was afraid of a shutout. I tried not to stick handle around the issue but to go straight for the net.
ReplyDeleteSeems that one of the biggest challenges as a parent these days is jostling for time...time to sit down at a meal together, time to sit down in a pew together....time to sit and do nothing together...Having all girls, and none inclined toward hockey, has made our Sunday choice of going to church as a family quite easy. We have said no to other Sunday AM activities but they can usually be found at other times, and I know hockey doesn't work that way. I admire one of our St P's hockey families who said they made the commitment at the beginning of the year that whoever of the family wasn't at hockey on any given Sunday would be at church. And the beauty is the more our kids have gone to church and become involved the more the decision to go has become their own and they and the world will be better for it.
ReplyDeleteWow! I can't believe how much of this blog I could not keep up with. I am living in a country where hockey is part of its culture. I still can't keep up with it.
ReplyDeleteFortunately Deb you have a husband who can tutor you in the holy mysteries.
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