Both Sport and Christianity are two things that have been around for a long time but never seem to be associated with one another. Actually, Christianity has been involved in sport for a long time. Way back in the 1800's in England, an attitude toward physicality developed known as muscular Christianity. This had a huge effect on sport in America.
             Muscular Christianity argued that there is something good and godly about brute strength and power. Physical weakness was considered to be unnatural because it was only a reflection of moral spiritual weakness. So people tried to overcome physical weakness as an effort to be Christian, moral, and good. Sport activities came to be seen as an effort to be a good Christian. Christians believed that the body was a temple and so they thought they were obligated to care for and develop one's physical being.
             Some of the cherished ideals of muscular Christianity have not lost their appeal among religious and sports leaders in the new millennium. On October 28, 2000, the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II, officiated at the opening of a weeklong celebration of sport called the Sports Jubilee. He urged athletes and officials to abide by the inherent benefits of sport, especially the spiritual and human ideals. The Pope said, "Sport is not an end but a means. It can become a vehicle of civility and genuine fun, pushing people to give the best of themselves on the field, shunning that which can be of danger or serious damages to themselves and others." His belief in the contributions that sport has the potential to make, reflect some of the attitudes and goals of the muscular Christians. The Pope's interest in sport comes from when he was goalie for his soccer team when he was a kid. He also likes hiking and skiing. The attention that the Pope gives sport is important because it clearly establishes that some of the ideals
             ...