Are sports "the opiate of the Masses?"

I have been watching sports my entire life. I often succumb to base instincts of yelling, punching and swearing while watching them. It's embarrassing at times but UMD basketball fans should empathize with me. Many cultures used athletic events (think: gladiators) to distract their constituents from tax hikes, commodity scarcity and a lifetime of forced servitude. However, liquor and wine were readily available for the games. Rebellion is difficult when your in a drunken stupor if you still remember the grievances by the government.    

While part of the appeal of spectator sports may be similar in that they provide a distraction from everyday stress and anxiety and allow one to imagine oneself as part of a larger group with a shared purpose.  It might be more appropriate to make the statement that "religion is the opiate of the masses and spectator sports is the crystal meth.” Sporting events are the manufactured conflicts of contemporary society and exist to let off steam that might otherwise be expended on actual warfare or other anti-social behaviors.

Gladiator Arena

                                                                                   
Painting oneself blue and screaming “We’re number one!” at the opposing team simulates loyalty and dedication to the team. Imagine our society if there was not a relatively innocuous way to channel the violence and frustration that is innate in human nature. In recent years, America has seen random acts of violence against innocent children, college students and at military bases. They can also be targeted for opposition action: today there were 2 explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, whether the attack was foreign or domestic, the perpetrator was attempting to use that stage to deliver a misguided message.

Religion. Sports. Patriotism. The sum of these three ideals is
greater than the parts and but they have many similarities. Common goal or belief system, members/citizens/fans, conformity and uniformity. They all create a sense of belonging to a larger and more meaningful group. Each has events to symbolize their member loyalty: inauguration, Christmas/Easter (Christianity), sporting events. In the case of religion and sports, they use marketing tactics to grow their fan/member base even larger. Patriotism invokes pride, just as a win in a major game or competition does for fans. Joining the military is the ultimate act of nationalism, which has boot camp to test the mettle of the recruits. Joining a college/professional sports team takes years of dedicated work to hone your craft and then "tryouts" to determine which athletes are worthy of a scholarship or professional contract.



The next time you are watching your favorite local team and yell at a screen or in the arena in an alcohol induced rage, remember that many of our ancestors did the same. Unfortunately, they were influenced by political motives unbeknownst to them. In modern times, people are too intelligent to fall for such simple distraction and there is more separation between religion and politics. But it is interesting to think about  sports as more than just games but events with nationalistic and religious similarities. It makes me want to read anything other than the "espn.com." But I know I won't.