The BBC Web Site (Religion and Ethic Page) reports ' When the hosts of the 2014 World Cup take on Croatia in the opening match of the tournament on June 12th, God will also be on the pitch. And whoever opens the score sheet for Brazil, it's likely that Jesus will get the credit.'  

Its no secret that I enjoy football. This BBC article describes the reported  influence that some forms of religion has on one of the greatest football teams in the world. This appears to be very strange. It seems bizarre to think that God or Karma or whatever deity takes your interest for that matter, will be wearing the top or waving the flag of any particular team in the world cup. 'Divine Rights' do take on strange manifestations. On reflection it's not so new; football  and religion have been mutual victims long before this. The separation of Church and State is accepted by some of us, as a fundamental principle, to ensure that any citizen can exercise the freedom, to have a religious faith or not. The separation of Church / Religion from sport seems an equally sound policy if we would have an inclusive, community building approach to involvement in one of the great pleasures of life; sport. The BBC article is worth a read.... Brazil: Where God is on the pitch