There is a debate going on whether Shawn Green of the L.A. Dodgers should play this weekend or not. For background I will give you this. Shawn Green is Jewish. This Friday and Saturday is Yom Kippur, the holiest day for the Jewish People. It is the day when Jewish People are not to eat, drink, or work at all as atonement for their promises broken to God. The Dodgers are in the middle of a pennant race with the San Francisco Giants who, coincidently enough are the opponent for that weekend. So what is Shawn Green to do?
Most might think I would say he should play. I'm not religious, I'm a team player, and I am a Dodger's fan. It is hard for someone like me to understand the importance that people put in their faith and would be likely to say, "The Dodgers are in the middle of a pennant race. They haven't won a playoff game in 16 years. Its time to get back to the post season". Most people would be wrong.
How can anyone blame Shawn Green. This is what is important to him. It may not be important to me but that is not for me to decide. People think that Shawn Green owes something to the Dodgers and their fans but let me tell you this. No man owes anybody more than he owes himself. There is only one person who you can be sure to please all the time if you so choose and that is yourself. I do not expect Shawn Green to play for me by sacrificing his heritage and beliefs. He is paying for his choice. As I understand it he will not be paid for that day. If the Dodgers had a problem they shouldn't have signed him. It was well known that Shawn Green was very religious when he signed. It was actually a reason he signed with the Dodgers, L.A. has a very strong Jewish community.
So lay off the guy. His beliefs are his to have. It is after all just a game.
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5 comments:
I'm rather happy and impressed to hear you have this point of view. I admit, I thought you would have said otherwise. -Mike
On the other hand, I am not at all surprised by Terrence's comments. In everything that he says, the essential tennet is something akin to, "To thine own self be true," which I think is cool. However, I would argue that Shawn Green is not doing this for his own self, but in respect and honor for God...and I'm sure it's not even a question to him because all he has is from God.
I agree, Terrence. Have you seen the movie The Chariots of Fire?
I'm not surprised at Terrence's opinion. He seems very strong on individual freedom. I am surprised at Shawn Green's decision. From what I heard, he chose to play Friday night (when Yom Kippur started) and sit out of Saturday's game. I don't understand that. Either play or don't play. you can't really have it both ways and try to please everyone. I would not condemn his choice either way ... if he had made one.
Hey Terrence, I don't think Sergio has a blog any more. You can replace his with mine :). davidcho.blogspot.com.
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