An Epidemic

Is it just my imagination, or do I detect an unusual amount of bad sportsmanship during this year's Olympics? It has been so disappointing to have to explain to my 10-year-old daughter and my 8-year-old son why the atheletes are treating each other in such a bad way. Case in point, the Italian ice dancers during the short program. The man accidentally fell at the end of the program, causing his partner to fall as well. When it was over, she stood in the middle of the ice and glared at him for a good minute and a half. She then "stomped" off the ice (if anyone ever could stomp off the ice, she did) and continued to glare at him for the remainder of the evening. The next night they arrived in separate vehicles, warmed up separately, and didn't speak to each other the entire evening. Millions of people watched as this woman acted like a spoiled 3-year-old who didn't get her way. Millions of impressionable young kids watched. My kids watched.

As it often goes, after the couple skated a perfect routine that night, she finally embraced him and fawned all over him like nothing had happened. I think this was even worse. No apologies, no humility on her part. Just gratification for her injured ego. Then last night, we watched as Sasha Cohen skated one of the most beautiful programs she has ever skated. As the scores were being announced, the cameras cut to a shot of her teammate with a disgusted look on her face because it knocked her down a place. This morning Katie Couric told of two speed skating teammates for the US who were so busy trying to out-do each other that the Italian skater came in and beat them both to win the gold. Each one congratulated the Italian, but couldn't even speak to congratulate each other on winning the the silver and bronze.

USA Network aired a commercial this morning featuring Bode Miller. In it he professed his belief that one of the reasons obesity and inactivity among children is so rampant today is because we have placed such a tremendous emphasis on "win or don't play at all" - "be the best or be nothing". I have witnessed this attitude for the last four years as my children have played Upward Basketball, a Christian organization focused on the fact that every child is a winner not matter what. Even with this focus, you find those parents and coaches who scream (and I'm not exagerating) at their 7, 8, 9, 10+ year old children to perform at professional levels. It is incredible to me that an adult could expect a small child to comprehend the entire game of basketball and score at any cost - some of them can't even tie their shoes yet! Although they do not keep score, almost every parent and coach is obsessively keeping track of each basket made. Now I understand that it can be equally detremental to a child to teach him that life will always be equal and that you shouldn't try for anything more than mediocre. We have tried to emphasize to our children that their personal best is what counts. Win or lose, we expect them to play to the best of their ability - and we expect their ability to grow to the capacity it can. We emphasize being a team player - not just an individual star.

How much do we see this in the church today as well? Everyone is out for themselves. No one is thinking about playing as a team. It's win at all costs - be the biggest and the best - have the most people in attendance - make the most money - save the most souls... We compete against other churches, refusing to participate in something that isn't sponsored by "our" denomination or "our" church. Gossipping and back-biting if another church prospers in an area where ours doesn't. Now we can expect this kind of behavior from those who do not claim to know Christ as their Savior. It shouldn't surprise us - is it disappointing? Yes, of course, but not surprising. We hope those who are role models for younger generations will conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of their positions. But when we see this "bad sportsmanship" manifest itself within the body of Christ, how much more devastating is it?

Let's get past our petty competitions and selfish motives. Let's be a bold new type of Christian - one who promotes the true body of Christ - not one who worships the structure of man-made denominations and religions. Let's get behind each other and cheer for one another. Let's forgive easily when one of us slips and falls accidentally (or maliciously for that matter). Only when we decide to lay down our selfishness and put others before ourselves will we be able to wipe out this epidemic.