Why Today Should Be The Last Holy War...

UNPOPULAR OPINION ALERT

Today at 8:00, I will go down to the SUU lounge area (which has become my football watching headquarters). Despite the fact that SUU will be playing its home opener at that time and my professor/father figure Peter Sham will be honored at half time, my attention will be fully settled on the final (for now) showdown between the University of Utah and the Brigham Young University. And lets face it, Peter will probably get honored at another halftime some time in the near future. Its not like Cedar City is swimming with people they need to honor. Cody Judy is set to be honored when we play Northern Colorado.

But I want to get this out before the game so my opinion cannot be written off as being a sore loser/wanting to quit while I'm ahead. I'm writing this with no idea what is going to happen tonight. Because I want to talk about something off the field.

Last week at a CES fireside, LDS Apostle and former BYU President Jeffrey R. Holland told a story of being disgusted at the disparaging treatment an LDS basketball player got at the hands of many fans of an opposing team, who were also LDS. He was further disgusted when a fan suggested that when it came to sports, he "checked his religion at the door." Elder Holland was addressing bigger issues than fan relations, yet he touched on a subject previously spoken of by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in October of 2010. President Uchtdorf said the following:

Perhaps there is no better laboratory to observe the sin of pride than the world of sports. I have always loved participating in and attending sporting events. But I confess there are times when the lack of civility in sports is embarrassing. How is it that normally kind and compassionate human beings can be so intolerant and filled with hatred toward an opposing team and its fans?

I have watched sports fans vilify and demonize their rivals. They look for any flaw and magnify it. They justify their hatred with broad generalizations and apply them to everyone associated with the other team. When ill fortune afflicts their rival, they rejoice.

Brethren, unfortunately we see today too often the same kind of attitude and behavior spill over into the public discourse of politics, ethnicity, and religion.

My dear brethren of the priesthood, my beloved fellow disciples of the gentle Christ, should we not hold ourselves to a higher standard? As priesthood bearers, we must realize that all of God’s children wear the same jersey. Our team is the brotherhood of man. This mortal life is our playing field. Our goal is to learn to love God and to extend that same love toward our fellowman. We are here to live according to His law and establish the kingdom of God. We are here to build, uplift, treat fairly, and encourage all of Heavenly Father’s children.

This rivalry is different from Auburn-Alabama or Ohio State-Michigan. BYU is a religious school; and in contrast to Notre Dame, TCU or Marquette, it is the only Division I school in the country that represents the Mormon Church. People would never assume to paint all Catholics under the same brush as the Gold Domers. Nor do all Methodists feel responsible to answer for recruiting violations of the 80's. In its inseparability with its religion, BYU is truly a one of a kind.

And thus, how sad is it that this game engenders so much ill will towards the school? Half the state (give or take) supports the other team. Name calling, taunting and unfortunate soundbites become ammunition on both sides. How is an athlete coming from out of state to play for Utah supposed to view Mormons when the Mormon school is his sworn enemy? Even to us outside of the arena, the game is locally divisive, in a time where unity should be paramount. The game harbors feelings of persecution on both sides, and digs up old grudges.

Is the game great? Its fantastic, passionate and utterly spellbinding. I haven't been disappointed with the game itself (independent of outcome) in 15 years. But is it really building Zion? Is it making a better world? Is it spreading the Gospel of Christ?

I'm a Utah fan, guilty of much negative feelings toward the other fan base. I'm also an active Latter-Day Saint. The BYU athletic department can do a lot of good. It can promote values and teach valuable lessons. The Brandon Davies saga was a great example of an institution sticking to its policies and not showing favoritism towards a prized athlete, and also a young athlete showing humility and character by being honest, serving his punishment and working for redemption. If I wasn't a Utah fan, I could admit I find much to admire at BYU, especially in Dave Rose's basketball program.

But anyway, GAME ON, mutha-------s!