AMAC Exclusive – By Aaron Flanigan
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Dodgers enraged Christians and non-Christians alike by pledging to publicly honor a radical LGBT group that mocks Catholic nuns at the team’s annual “pride night” event. While the move has sparked predictable backlash from conservative media pundits, many Christians are now also looking to players on the Dodgers to take a stand against anti-Catholic bigotry.
There would be no more powerful sign of opposition to the hateful actions of Dodgers management than Christians on the Dodgers or the opposing San Francisco Giants refusing to take the field during pride night on June 16.
On May 4, the Dodgers announced that they were inviting the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (SPI)—a group of drag performers who dress as Catholic nuns and crudely mock the crucifixion of Jesus Christ—to their annual “pride” event to receive a “Community Hero Award.” But following a torrent of criticism from the Catholic community and other Americans of faith—including a letter to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred from Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)—the Dodgers withdrew the group from their list of honorees, acknowledging in a now-deleted tweet that the inclusion of the SPI “has been the source of some controversy.”
Though Catholics, conservatives, and countless ordinary baseball fans applauded the Dodgers’ withdrawal of the invitation as a victory for “sanity and common sense,” the franchise was predictably hounded by left-wing advocacy groups and progressive Twitter personalities, who claimed the pulled invitation was a sign of exclusion and hate.
The Dodgers promptly caved to the progressive activist class and reinvited the group—offering their “sincerest apologies to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, members of the LGBTQ+ community and their friends and families.”
Although the MLB’s embrace of wokeism and gender ideology is far from new (last season, several teams donated funds from their “pride” events to groups that champion “gender-affirming” surgeries), the Dodgers’ decision to honor the SPI is a particularly glaring instance of hostility toward Americans of faith – and Americans who simply want to attend a baseball game without having sexual and irreligious matters shoved in their faces.
The move is even more egregious given that the Dodgers draw in large numbers of Hispanic Catholic fans, and according to Outkick, many players and Dodgers staff “are openly religious.” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, for instance, has stated that his “relationship with Christ is the most important thing in my life.”
But despite widespread outrage from Catholics, conservatives, and other baseball fans, Christians on the Dodgers have remained virtually silent. The only sign of resistance thus far from within the Dodgers organization has come from Christian pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who announced a “Christian Faith and Family Day” at Dodger Stadium in July—a transparent attempt to placate outraged Catholics.
One Christian player on another team has courageously spoken out, providing an inspiring example that other players might follow. In a statement posted to social media on Tuesday, Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams blasted the Dodgers for “inviting and honoring a group that makes a blatant and deeply offensive mockery of my religion.”
“I believe it is essential for the Dodgers to reconsider their association with this group and strive to create an inclusive environment that does not demean or disrespect the religious beliefs of any fan or employees,” Williams continued. “I also encourage my fellow Catholics to reconsider their support of an organization that allows this type of mockery of its fans to occur.”
That call to action is one Kershaw, Roberts, and other faithful Christians within the Dodgers organization would do well to heed. On June 16, they have a unique opportunity to both display authentic Christian witness and send a message that anti-Catholic bigotry will not be tolerated by refusing to take the field.
Refusal to participate in team “pride” events is not without precedent: last June, for instance, several players on the Tampa Bay Rays refused to wear uniforms with “pride” logos, citing their religious convictions. Several National Hockey League players also drew the ire of the left last month for refusing to wear “pride jerseys.”
Although a boycott by Christian athletes would almost certainly make participating players the prime targets of the left-wing outrage mob, it would also signal to Christian baseball fans and non-fans alike that their faith matters—and that it is worth defending from grotesque attacks no matter the cultural, social, or professional costs.
“Recently, you stated that Major League Baseball needs to ‘make decisions that are as inclusive and welcoming to everyone as possible, and keep us as apolitical as possible,’” Senator Rubio wrote in his May 15 letter to Manfred. “I write to ask whether your League wants to be ‘inclusive and welcoming’ to Christians, and if so, why you are allowing an MLB team to honor a group that mocks Christians through diabolical parodies of our faith.”
Baseball, Rubio continued, “has always been tied to our nation’s values, at the heart of which is faith in God.”
In the not-so-distant past, as Rubio acknowledged in his letter, baseball was regarded as one of the last remaining sources of national unity in an otherwise hyper-politicized culture. For generations, nothing captured the American spirit quite like a summer afternoon at the ballpark.
Now, that all seems to be slipping away, But on June 16, Christian players can reassure fans that America’s pastime has not become a stomping ground for anti-Christian bigotry.
Aaron Flanigan is the pen name of a writer in Washington, D.C.
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Sigh. Another boycott is in order. With Trump, this would never have happened. A shame these wierdos feel emboldened.
I have been an avid Dodgers fan for 80 years. Baseball was always a fun, wholesome family event. Never could I have imagined that the team would not only condone and honor immorality, but would flaunt Christian beliefs in this manner. I hope the whole team will refuse to wear “Pride” uniforms and refuse to take the field if this demonic organization is recognized. If a person wants to be a member of the LGBTQ group, that is a private matter that should not be publicized or celebrated. Are we going to have baseball nights to honor murderers, thieves, shoplifters, anti-police groups, pro-abortion baby killers? Where do we draw the line? Pray that God will bring repentance and revival to our country.
Money talks, boycott not only the the Dodgers but more importantly their sponsors.
Why can’t sports just be sports? I don’t want to pay that much for a lesson in wokeness. Just play the damn game.
This is all about dividing and conquering this country. The people in power are doing everything they can to reach their goals. They only want 2 classes of people, the rich and poor and no entrepreneurs.
I encourage the people of LA to show their support by not attending the game! Religion and politics should remain for other venues, NOT THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTTIME!
All this does is underscore that this world is a realm of Satan – and a place of our Test as Christians. Indeed, those who do not speak out against these grotesque displays will suffer the fate of those outside who proclaim at the window, “Lord, Lord” but Christ will not recognize them.
Why do the few think they can push their agenda to the masses when those they cater to can’t support their venue?
Who are these woke individual/s that are calling the shots?
Tragically, many Christians are much too docile when it comes to loudly criticizing activities which are anti-Christian, anti-nuclear family, and anti-traditional sexual models. All the fans who support both Christianity and the Dodgers should make it very clear that if the Dodgers refuse to treat nuns with the respect and consideration that they deserve, then stadium attendance will dramatically suffer. The management of the Dodgers should hang their heads in shame. Once again, we are seeing an open war on tradition values. Our young people deserve much better.
Stopped watching the NBA and I’m here to report I’ve had no serious health setbacks. Gave up the NHL, which I wasn’t a big fan of in the first place. MLB was next and I now have so much more free time that it’s a blessing. WNBA isn’t nor wasn’t on my radar so no loss there. Soccer never watched it, again nothing missed. Praying golf doesn’t go bonkers.
Seems like the whole world has gone crazy.
The entire gay alphabet is less than 4% of the population. Most of these folks are not huge sports fans, whereas my estimate is more than 30% of baseball fans are Christians of some denomination. It should be a no brainer not to include gay issues in sports. If it wasn’t for Democrats and their propaganda arm the MSM, we would not be subjected to a lot of the woke agenda.
O K DODGERS FANS. Here’s your chance. Just stay home. Show your discourse with a empty stadium. San. Fran . just sit un your dugout. People are sick and tired of all this Gay crap. Kyle L.
There is only one course of action. BOYCOTT, BOYCOTT and BOYCOTT.
Most players ultimately will put their MLB paychecks over their faith, although I hope I’m wrong. As for me, I’ll be done with baseball.
I find that this cowardly trend by corporate groups [sports or otherwise] to attack Christian beliefs is just another example of how these “people” have lost touch with the majority of the Nation’s citizens. The stupidity of the Dodgers is just a confirmation of this. When it comes down to it, who needs these ignorant woke fools? I for one can easily live without dealing with any of these corporate jerks. They will not see my money again.
Those nuns that everyone mocks gave up nearly everything to teach us kids back in the day. Their net worth was a toothbrush and a change of clothes and perhaps a few pictures of families proud of their daughter’s sacrifices. Wouldnt it be interesting to see the sickos doing this try it wearing burkas? But that wont happen. They may be possessed but they know how to survive.
I’ve been a Hugh baseball and loyal Dodger fan since I was 12. NO MORE! Enough is enough. I began boycotting the NFL ten years ago because of their disrespect for our country and those who have served and died to make us the best country on earth. I will now boycott MLB like I do Target and all those companies that support the trash gay and transgender movement.
Only a source of some controversy? How come God can be mocked, Christians can be mocked BUT heaven help us if we dare speak of other minority groups. Were is the tolerance in that? Where is the bigotry in that? Where is the prejudice in that? What happened to TREAT PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED! DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU!
The stupidity of Professional Sports continues. I stopped attending such games in late 1980’s and continue to boycott such events at the professional level.
How about the trannies dress up like Islamic mullahs? What do you suppose would happen then? They like to say they are just confronting power; confront some Muslims, please!
In one word, disgraceful!
It should be clear that the. LA in the Dodgers Baseball club now stands for Lucifer’s Acolytes. Their actions (over the protests of some of their own players) suggests either a complete ignorance of the social pulse, indifference to the harm they are doing to many of their faithful -no pun intended- followers (Catholic or not),or a total disdain for American principles most of us still cleave to. When professional teams began kneeling as the National Anthem was played and no team administrations took any definitive action to correct these actions I turned them off. I haven’t seen a single play of an NFL,MLB, or NBA game since Colin Kaepernick (how appropriately named, even if misspelled) was accepted with his “protest”. Another flag burned, another “peaceful” AntiFa demonstration ($2 million damage and 3 people dead), another BLM riot, and on and on. If you are OK with what they are doing, you are part of the problem. If you are NOT happy with it DO SOMETHING. FIGHT WITH YOUR WALLETS!!! Boycott them. Stop buying their gear. Lots of things we can do to show this is a bridge too far Bud light is bleeding revenue to the tune of 29.5 BILLION dollars since their moronic choice to partner with the idiot man who dresses and Acts life a teenage girl (name withheld by disgust). Get another team to root for. Do what you can to show your displeasure. I stopped years ago. I give to the children’s and veterans charities instead of any professional team. I know my money is put to a much better use doing what it does.
I would love to see this same disrespect facing toward Islam. The difference is, they will kill you, while the dray queens will just make you want to vomit
Another business to boycott.
If you are not Rainbow, colored a dem or ultra left nut you don’t matter.
They leave out millions of Americans who do matter.
But destroying America is more important than saving it.
I often find myself wondering if God regrets creating man in His own image for things to come to this, I know sin has been with us since Adam and Eve and todays actions are so abhorrent. But I smile and remind myself God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning AND the end. It is always in His hands and He will have the final say. Heads up people. GOD IS IN CONTROL.