Should Christians View or Participate in Sporting Events that Honor Pagan gods

Many years ago, I turned on the TV to see an image of Zeus being paraded around at the beginning of the Olympics.

No one believes in Zeus any longer, and I doubt anyone worships Zeus. Some things are part of a country's history, like Greek mythology, literature, etc. Personally I would not have trouble participating in the Olympics. Zeus would be the last thing on my mind. Don't torture yourself.

Good advice.

There are still pagans in the world. Their pantheon is vast. Including Zeus.

Id be more interested in the athletics, the art history would be a secondary thought.
I once visited a Buddhist temple years ago, because it was fairly new and it peaked my curiosity. I didnt think too much of it, it was a beautiful building with interesting art and lifestyle but at the end of the day it was a teachable moment for the young ones in my family to see the difference between worship of a statue and a Living God.

Perhaps the concept of participation in meat eating applies...

! Corinthians 8

5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

Buddhists don't worship statues. That of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, or any other.
To do so would violate the Tripikata.

Buddhist temples are lovely in their architecture and adornment. The incense perfume is spectacular.

Thats interesting, there were plenty of statues there, the main lobby also featured a bigger sized one in full display with candles incence and the monks would kneel before them and pray.
The monks came into the main area where there on display was the biggest statue of Buddha. They lit incense, candles and knelt down to pray in front it it. I dont think they were learning their times tables But yes the temple itself stood out amongst modern buildings and was worth visiting.

I dont know, Im not really into sports. Does anyone wear nike shoes (isn't Nike a god? )
I cant think of any other sports gods.

Paul continues his argument in chapter 10.


19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

They prostrate before (shachah, proskueno...aka 'worship') them, don't they?

it is written: He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord; and again, Let no man glory in men.

Paul's conversation about idols (especially 1 Cor 8 and 1 Cor 10) is basically to say idols are nothing in themselves and that actions associated with idol worship aren't necessarily idolatry.

The reason i don't watch or support the olympics; syncretism and also this whole gender stupidity.
Then there are a host pf other reasons, but those are the primary ones.

Deu 5:6 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Deu 5:7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
Deu 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Deu 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
Deu 5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Deu 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Setting the specific issue of the Olympics aside for a moment, something I notice is some evangelicals take 'literal idolatry' very lightly, while others make wide use of allegoricalized idolatry. I saw some women accuse another woman who heavily emphasized submitting to her husband of making an idol of her husband. One man accused those who objected to kneeling at the national anthem as a racial equality protest of 'idolatry.'

But I have also seen a Hindu idol on a church-going family's shelf as 'art.'

No.

If there's a giant cross behind the pulpit in our churches are we worshiping that idol when we bow our head in prayer?

Rather than presume it's very easy to take the time to learn the truth.

Buddhists do not worship the statues in their temples anymore than Christians worship the cross on display in church, or hanging around our neck.

WWJD? He'd probably attend to preach repentance and spread the good news of the Kingdom to people there.

But He didn't. There is no record of him attending any such event. There were Olympic games and Gladiator games in the time while Jesus was here.
Basically Jesus taught in the synagogues and where ever crowds thronged him, as he went about teaching his disciples.

I've got a better question:

Should Christians view or participate in sporting events at all?

It seems to me that sports are rooted and grounded in PRIDE or a desire to show one's self superior to another.

Is that what the mind of Christ is all about?

Philippians chapter 2

[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
[4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

If you ask me (or the Apostle Paul), then it seems to me that sporting events are full of strife, vainglory, and high-mindedness, and I hardly see such Christian concepts as esteeming others better than one's self being exemplified through the same.

Then, of course, there's also the ridiculous amounts of money that athletes make at the expense of those who fanatically ("fans", remember?) support them. It certainly seems like a blatant form of idolatry to me.

Not to mention all of the time that is wasted viewing or participating in such events. Time which could be much better spent serving the Lord.