A forum member writes: Okay, all constitutional questions aside... I don't see why people would want to pray before a sporting event. It makes some vague sense to me, I guess, if it's done before some kind of important ceremonial event, or a meal, or on religious holidays, etc. But I don't really see why it's done before sporting events, of all things. They're purely recreational and don't have any religious aspect to them at all.

This sort of question is ultimately about the nature and purpose of prayer itself — what's it for? Perhaps we should ask instead: what do believers use it for? Is it a petition to cosmic forces to intercede in some event, like who will win a game? Is it a means of social bonding and a communal religious experience? Read More...