{"id":32920,"date":"2022-09-10T16:28:25","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/does-god-decide-care-who-wins-the-super-bowl\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:28:25","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:28:25","slug":"does-god-decide-care-who-wins-the-super-bowl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/does-god-decide-care-who-wins-the-super-bowl\/","title":{"rendered":"Does God Decide, Care Who Wins the Super Bowl?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Bob Smietana<\/em><\/p>\n

An old gospel hymn says God\u2019s eye is on the sparrow, but what about panthers and broncos? Not the ones from Carolina and Denver matched up for the National Football League\u2019s Super Bowl 50, according to a new survey from Lifeway Research.<\/p>\n

The poll found most Americans are skeptical about divine intervention on the football field. They say God doesn\u2019t determine who wins or loses. And most believe God has bigger things to be concerned about.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Bible says God sets up and takes down nations and rulers,\u201d said Scott McConnell, vice president of Lifeway Research. \u201cEither Americans do not agree, or they think God focuses on political leaders rather than cultural sports icons.\u201d<\/p>\n

The phone survey of 1,000 Americans found almost 9 out of 10 (85 percent) say \u201cno\u201d when asked, \u201cDoes God determine winners and losers in the Super Bowl?\u201d About 1 in 10 (11 percent) says \u201cyes.\u201d One in 25 (4 percent) doesn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

Americans who identify as evangelicals (15 percent), as members of a non-Christian faith (18 percent), or as attending a religious service at least once a week (13 percent) are more likely to say God determines the Super Bowl winner. So are those with graduate degrees (15 percent).<\/p>\n

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In popular culture, God gets some credit for two of the most well-known plays in NFL playoff history: the 1975 \u201cHail Mary\u201d pass from Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson and the \u201cImmaculate Reception\u201d caught by Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 fullback Franco Harris in 1972.<\/p>\n

Still, most Americans don\u2019t believe God cares about the outcome of the big game.<\/p>\n

Nine out of 10 (88 percent) say \u201cno\u201d when asked, \u201cDoes God care who wins the Super Bowl?\u201d Almost 1 in 10 (8 percent) says \u201cyes.\u201d One in 20 doesn\u2019t know (5 percent).<\/p>\n

Christians (89 percent) are more likely to say God doesn\u2019t care about the Super Bowl winner than those of other faiths (79 percent). Those with some college (91 percent) are more skeptical than those with graduate degrees (81 percent). Americans who attend a religious service at least once a week (10 percent) are more likely to say God cares than those who attend once or twice a month (3 percent).<\/p>\n

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Those with evangelical beliefs (83 percent) are less likely to answer no when asked if God cares about the Super Bowl winner than other Americans (90 percent). They are also more likely to be unsure (7 percent) than other Americans (3 percent).<\/p>\n

Americans remain devoted to pro football\u2014especially the Super Bowl. Last year, a reported 114 million Americans tuned in to watch the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots.<\/p>\n

And while faith and football sometimes go together\u2014NFL players often form prayer circles after the game ends\u2014few fans admit seeking divine aid for their teams. A 2014 Lifeway Research survey found only about 1 in 8 Americans (13 percent) say they have prayed for a sports team.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur previous research has shown most Americans think God is concerned with their day-to-day decisions,\u201d said McConnell. \u201cYet this survey shows Americans do not see God as interested in their favorite sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Bob Smietana<\/h2>\n

@bobsmietana<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Bob is the former senior writer for Lifeway Research. In September 2018, he joined Religion News Service, where he currently serves as a national writer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n