 |
| 'Christ the All Black' Artist Don Little |
Logically no one would say that Rugby is an actual, adequate religion. But in terms of its rituals, icons, language and traditions, Peter Lineham points out that it has become a surrogate religion for many Kiwis in the absence of any other belief.
Kim Hill on 'National Radio' recently pointed out that she has an "App called 'Rugby Heaven', but if we lose the RWC we will all be living in Rugby Hell. "
Rugby does seem to have reached incredible heights in New Zealand society. Like religion it offers its believers a great deal of belonging, places of worship, regular services and priests? Like a religion we have also seen in the last few weeks how rugby has a way of pulling people together around a common goal. Rugby also loves to celebrate its historical figures. Rolling out clips and stories of 'The Needle' and 'Pine Tree Meads' or 'The Buck', like Achilles, Moses, or David and Goliath? Peter Lineham points out that through these historical figures and recollections we are being drawn into the historical narrative, and as New Zealand we begin to find we have an important place in the story which feeds our national identity....heavy stuff.
I feel sorry for All Blacks caught up in the midst of all this. What a lofty height they have reached in our new religion. Not only do they have to be great rugby players with God like bodies but also exceptional moral examples to our children.
One News screened a piece recently about the Wallabies astonishment at the craze and hype around the All Blacks. It has become so familiar to me now that I don't even see it. I have daily devotions on my RWC 'app'. I have even committed to memorising the players names, numbers and stats...hmmm.
Personally I am okay with it. So rugby has reached a religious status, so what?...does it detract from the real God or does it just highlight the innate human desire of needing something to worship, and so actually proves we are created beings? I could be very wrong about that though, I must be a one eyed stage 2 faith rugbyain.
Hi Luke,
ReplyDeleteI think you might just be on to somehting here. Though I don't think it's unique, afterall you've only got to look at the Manchester United fan base and UK soccer to see sporting idolatry.
What ever the truth, it's only reinforced by the news that the AB's may pull out next time over money and the IRB 'playing God' over the likes of wirst band verses and controlling how there image is portrayed as more important than God's
Hey Luke,
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this article, it was hard to know what the Opening Ceremony was trying to portray whether it was integrating Maori mystique and culture, or if it was simply portraying New Zealand's identity, either way it reflected a level of appreciate and pride for the role of rugby in our nation.
As Stephen noted I don't think that the role of sport is unique to New Zealand. I think that it can lead to idolatry at it's worst, but at it's best it has unified New Zealand which is positive.
It's interesting how sportsmen are worshiped for their talents, when these talents will wane later on in life. One positive thing is that we very rarely celebrate individuals success in New Zealand, and at least we give adequate praise to the All Blacks for their achievements. It will be interesting to see how long they are worshiped after the world cup, especially if they lose the cup.
Luke,
ReplyDeleteI never thought about the RWC opening in that way! But when I think of Rugby in that light, do you know what it reminds me of - the Gladiator arenas of Classical times! The way that rulers could be seen to represent countries, picking the best men to battle. As was then, this ritual was far from the Christian trades of the day, but it definitely made its own spiritual links, and not all of them good!