"there has only ever been one perfect man, the Lord Jesus, and we killed him. I only missed a putt."
Religion
Religion is never very far away in India. The Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village is located right next to the Akshardham Temple, the biggest Hindu Temple in the world located in a 100 acre complex which even includes a food court.In my hotel they told me there are 5 magnificent temples within walking distance. Must visit places in Delhi include Jama Masjid mosque, built 1658 and with seating for 25,000 – more than most of the Commonwealth Games venues, the Bahai Lotus Temple – a lotus shaped marble structure and the Sheeshgarj (Sikh) temple.
The Olympic Charter guarantees freedom of religion and this is generally interpreted as the provision of a religious centre as a place for private or corporate worship in the style and manner the individual is accustomed to. There is a principle of no proselytising in the Olympic Village. Proselytising means not discussing religious matters with people unless they have first expressed a clear interest in doing so.
The Commonwealth Games generally follows the Olympic norms with regard to provision of religious services. In the Commonwealth Games Village in Delhi there is “Religious Centre”. The Indian Express ran a major article on it, under the title “Body stretched to extremes, athletes seek a mantra to relax the mind”.
Noting the unusual situation of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Buddhism, operating under one roof, the article concluded: “If this centre of spirituality at the Commonwealth games is anything to go by, religion is as much a binding force for humanity as sports”.
Ngawang Gyaltsen, a Buddhist Monk, operating in the Religious Centre, said that some people who come to the Religious Centre want to know more about the Buddhist religion while others simply wonder if Buddhist methods of meditation could help them cope with increased stressed levels.
Ghulam Rasood, the Muslim chaplain, reported “people showing an overwhelming interest in the fundamentals of Islam”. It was standing room only for the Friday prayers.
Chief Christian Chaplain, Xavier Bharath - pictued above, is running early morning devotions and a more music-related worship service in the evening. He said that athletes “come to be encouraged by the spiritual teachings. Faith keeps you going when the pressure is so much”.
There is also an element of superstition in the interaction of sport and religion. I am reminded of the professional boxer who told me, “I sometimes go to church but always the week before a fight”. Similarly there have been teams who have turned up at the Commonwealth Games Religious Centre to be blessed before their competition.
The chaplains themselves have had a lively discussion of the ethics of praying to win. Xavier Bharath expressed a concern that an athlete promised victory if he is more devout in his faith may reject his religion if he does not win.
Christian chaplaincy to sport is simply the application of Christian faith to sport. It is athlete centred – focussed on the needs of competitors and coaches, not simply on religious practices. The Global Sports Coalition has drawn up principles to help identity potential chaplains. Those who wish to serve as major event Christian chaplains should:
• Value sport both as a worthy activity in itself and as God's vehicle to draw individuals closer to his purpose for their lives;
• Demonstrate God’s unconditional love and grace;
• Be people-oriented, not merely message-oriented;
• Be students of the Bible, able to communicate its insights to the people of sport.
• Minister out of a servant's heart, seeking to give, not to get;
• Demonstrate personal integrity by keeping their promises;
• Be trusted to maintain pastoral confidentiality;
• Embrace ministry as an opportunity to discipline one’s heart to die to self;
• Respect appropriate boundaries in relationships with individuals and sports authorities;
• Be faithful to maintain contact with people of sport throughout the year.
It is good to know that faith is alive and well even in the cauldron of competitive international sport.