I love soccer.  And this Summer has been a great time to enjoy the “beautiful game.”  With the US Women’s team winning the World Cup (and the men’s team placing second in the CONCACAF Gold Cup) there has been a lot to watch.

But, in the Western world, sports are no longer just sports.  Inevitably, cultural and religious issues get mixed in and soon take center stage.

Enter Megan Rapinoe. The openly gay US captain has been making the rounds on talk shows and news programs. She’s even been hailed as an “American hero.”

But, not just because of her soccer skills.  But because of how she promotes LGBTQ issues and calls for more “tolerance” and “acceptance.”

In particular, she complained to the present administration:  “I would say that your message is excluding people. You’re excluding me, you’re excluding people that look like me.”

Of course, the irony of such statements hasn’t been missed.  Especially if one considers the story of a different female soccer player, Jaelene Hinkle. Hinkle is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the nation.

But, despite her widely-praised talent, she was cut from the US national team. Why?  Because the players were required (just think about that word!) to wear rainbow jerseys to support “gay pride.”  And Hinkle, a committed Christian, wouldn’t do it. [Read more…]