It happened very slowly - actually, no one really noticed. A few of the more esoteric journals commented on the possibility of it happening, but few took the notion seriously.
However, it should be noted that a few religious leaders began to take it seriously and among several of the various denominations, real concern began to dominate their thinking, but they were much too late. They had neither the resources, the public relations savvy nor the entertainment value to have any lasting effect. They knew they had lost. And then, before anyone hardly noticed, the National Football League replaced Christianity as the dominant religion in the United States.
Now some will say how can football be considered a religion? Doesn’t a religious faith require believing in a deity? We should not that one of the definitions of a deity is “one who is exalted or revered as supremely good or powerful.”
The commissioner of the National Football League fits this definition perfectly. He is given his power by the College of Cardinals, excuse me; I meant the team owners, who vote secretly and anoint who they chose to lead them. And clearly, it is understood that the Commissioner of the NFL has unquestioned authority over his religion, excuse me, I should say, professional football.
However, all of this would be mute without believers or followers who number in the millions. A serious religion requires staunch devotion to its beliefs and ideals and where will you find more faithful followers than in the various denominations (teams) of the NFL.
If there are still some doubters than consider Super Bowl Sunday. Is there any religious celebration in the United States that can even come close in comparison? We all know the answer. Super Bowl Sunday has become our most important holiday and by definition religious celebration. It is estimated that 120 million people will partake. We come together by the millions to watch the crowning of a new champion. We celebrate with friends and families. Festivities abound everywhere.
Nothing brings people together more than a communal, national celebration with shared beliefs and values. No wonder Christianity lost. All it could promise was salvation.
Brother Giovanni
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