Yes. I think they're just doing it for show and are attempting to attract attention to themselves, the total opposite in fact to what their creed instructs them to do: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6: 5-15 Those self-aggrandizing players and people like them make me want to vomit. However, lets use a more appropriate analogy. Taarabt who was a foreigner playing in a overwhelmingly Christian/agnostic/atheist Country, in front of thousands of fans who were overwhelmingly Christian/agnostic/atheist, decided to celebrate in a manner which clearly indicated his Muslim beliefs (I know Allah means God but the inference was obvious). I thought it was disparaging, disrespectful and crass to be honest. What would you think of a western player playing for say Galatasaray or a Club in a Muslim Country and after scoring a goal, he rips off his shirt displaying a message like "Jesus is God" or "there is no God" or something similar? Would you think that's acceptable behavior from a professional footballer out there? And more importantly, what do you honestly think would happen? Personally I think it would be disparaging, disrespectful and crass. There's no place for it in football lads no matter how loudly you proclaim otherwise.
Whilst I'd prefer it if all religion was kept to the privacy of one's home or place of worship, I believe that what Anelka knowingly did was far, far worse than what you describe. Disparaging and crass perhaps, but not incitement to racial hatred imo. That's the difference between what Dave is saying and most on here.......Dave wants to believe that Analka didn't mean anything by it and it was done in innocence, whilst most seem to think he knew exactly what he was doing. I can see this now either getting out of hand or simply going around in circles, so that's me for this thread.
Free speech and 'saying what you want',is all well and good Dave, but when it becomes public and causes offence, stress and fear in others, it becomes unacceptable. Burning a Koran in public is unacceptable Ripping up a bible in public is unacceptable Holding a placard calling for the death of soldiers is unacceptable Taking your knob out and having a w*** in public is unacceptable. But all the above could be called expressions of free speech. Where does it end ??
Glad i took the 5th... Id suggest locking this now as the point has gone and its going downhill BUT If you want to argue I'm more than happy to read. Over to you guys !
Don't take this the wrong way Queens, but you should be the last person on this forum to take the moral high ground and ask for threads to be closed . I can't see things on this thread getting out of order just yet.... PS (my original dig was purely done in jest bruv )
Mate, no offence taken what-so-ever... i can se where this is heading and itd great fun to me as i have chosen not to get involved. Its a great read with the usual battle lines drawn. Im happily enjoying it. FYI. ive only ever asked for 1 thread to be closed. ill openly post what it was. the one i directed about being gay. I felt it had run its course and out of respect for the very brave souls who had opened up, i felt it was appropiate. As for everything else, i dont agree with banning or thread closing...but this aint my board and aint my rules... Im just a happy poster here like you guys. BTW..its gone midnight and im not myself have fun guys..keeping me amused.
That's my night ruined ... cheers I have just made my placard: Soldiers please don't die and was looking forward to my midnight tosspot
Football is and always will be associated with politics. Teams were based on religions / sections of the cities. Always been this way and is stronger in other countries. Happy New Year to all. Peace on Earth and all that!
