Did everyone enjoy the Superbowl game last night? I know I did. It was even better than last years. It was a great game for it to be Warner's last. It would have been nice to see him go out as a winner, but even though Arizona lost, I feel that they went out in style.
In Durkheim's definition of religion he says that people gather in specific places with the same belifs and they practice the same rituals while using scared objects. (Remember, the definition has NOTHING to do with God.)
Regardless of who you were going for in this years Superbowl, think back about how you watched the game. Did you and all your friends gather at one mutual place? Were there any things that you all did together as a group when certain things happened in the game? (Like when Steeler James Harrison intercepted that pass from the Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and ran those 100 yards!) Could you point out any possible sacred objects involved?
As you might have guessed, my opinion is that football is a religion by Durkheim's definition. Can you see where he is right?
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I sure did catch the super bowl this Sunday, who didn’t? Ratings spoke for themselves, it was the biggest event ever watched in US history. I would completely agree with that the super bowl is indeed a religion, part of our US culture. Its not even a question anymore if we are going to see it, we just know we wouldn’t miss it for anything. Although Durkeim never had the opportunity to make this assumption himself, according to his ideas about religion the “super bowl” fits right in there.
ReplyDeleteLets talk about the most successful woman in America Oprah Winfrey, an influential leader whose audience is mainly composed of women. Oprah’s television and magazine audience reaches in the millions only proving she is truly the media Queen. So I will ask this, Is Oprah a religion? Yes, she most certainly is according to Durkeim. Bigger than the super bowl I may add.
I would agree that Oprah is indeed a pop culture icon, but I'm not exactly sure she would be considered a religion. According to Durkheim, there must be beliefs and practices, rituals, a community, and sacred objects. I can see the beliefs as far as what Oprah says, many women believe. I can see the practice of rituals, whereas many people get ready to watch her at a set time every day, and of course I can see the community involved (all those that watch her program or read her magazine), but where is the sacred object? Would it be the TV? Something that is profane and then turned into the sacred object only for a limited time?
ReplyDeleteFor those who werent able to see the Superbowl you missed out on a great game. First and formost my family and I are die hard Steeler fans and can see the relation to how football can be seen as a religion. Durkheim believed that in order to have a religion it must consist of a belief, ritual, and a sacred item. In foootball you can see where all these i just listed above can be found. The belief can come from either the fans or the team itself. I have the belief that the Steelers are the best team ever and in reference to the team they have the belief that the game they play every week should be won and that 110% should always be given. Their ritual consist of their practices that take place and the specific plays they need to follow and learn in order for the whole team together as a whole and score that touchdown or get those 10 yards they need for the first down. As a player their sacred item is the football.Having the football and crossing the goal line is not a touchdown and means nothing to our team unless you have the ball. The field goal post can be seen as a sacred object in relation to the field goal kicker and a terrible towel to the fans. So, yes Analytical I believe that football can be seen as religion in reference to Durkheims definition.
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