Is sport a religion?

Question

Mainly trying to focus on AFL.

Is it like a religion? Why/why not?

What are the similarities/differences between religion and AFL?

Answer 1

No. AFL is g*y

Answer 2

AFL is very much a religion.

Our clubs can be various sects (much like Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist etc.)

Our players and coaches are like different religious figures (Moses, Jesus, Buddha, and even the disciples)

Even commentators are like preachers, spreading the good word around.

People following sports (especially AFL) can be extremely passionate about their team. They wear it as a badge of honour, it can even make strangers almost family.

Strike up a conversation with anyone in Melbourne, and most likely after the "hellos" and such, the next line will be "so which team do you follow?"

It is a big part in many people's lives. We spend hours watching games, spend countless dollars on merchandise, going to games, going to away games.

Sport brings a sort of 'constant' to life. It is always there, it is bigger than us, and its something we can't control. All these things are the same with religion.

We all need to be part of something, sport and religion? Same thing.

Answer 3

personally i dont think so because i think religion is spiritual

but i guess you could argue that it is because people follow teams no matter what

and in many ways, their team is part of their identity (as silly as that sounds)

btw, the guy above me is an idiot

Answer 4

i treat AFL as a religion. i worship it, i believe in it, and most sundays i attend a footy match.

Answer 5

yes i believe footy is a religoin. afl is the main then break off in smaller groups called teams/clubs .. whos followers will do anything for there club. over all they do all love afl.. but believe in different aspects/techniques of the game.