Prayer Rooms at AFL Stadiums

[jazza97]

I understand we have a diverse community here at ATARnotes and this topic has certainly caused some controversy in recent weeks with the whole Jeff Kennett 'political correctness' opinion.

Obviously having Prayer Rooms creates, equality and encourages acceptance and diversity.  My question/debate is whether this is necessary for sport.  Do we therefore have to make allowances for Jewish, Christian, Feminist sects and does this become a problem and segregate the audience.

I am actually for having prayer rooms, but it would be great to hear all sides to this debate-especially those against it.

Please note, nothing that i have written has been intended to be racist, sexist or carry any other negative connotations whatsoever.

[pi]

Do we therefore have to make allowances for Jewish, Christian, Feminist sects and does this become a problem and segregate the audience.

Out of curiosity, since when was feminism a religion and if not, why do they need prayer rooms (or similar)?

[ShortBlackChick]

Do we therefore have to make allowances for Jewish, Christian, Feminist sects and does this become a problem and segregate the audience.

Out of curiosity, since when was feminism a religion and if not, why do they need prayer rooms (or similar)?

Some might say a clean bathroom to chat or gossip in is equivalent to a prayer room for women. Having said that, toilets at the G could be improved

[paulsterio]

Well it looks like you're for prayer rooms, so I'll just bring out some against points so you can look at them and discuss, find flaws in them or whatever

1) Prayer rooms cost money, which can be used to improve services such as bathrooms which will be used by a larger proportion of the public

2) Is it necessary to have prayer rooms at sporting venues, if so, then why don't we have prayer rooms at other places such as supermarkets as well?

3) What about the whole notion of "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" - do we, as a country, have a responsibility to promote diversity, or will diversity come by itself?

4) Could it be possible that prayer rooms will create even more division in society?

5) Are we being neutral when buillding a prayer room, for example, what's to stop another religious sect saying that prayer rooms are specifically for the Jewish or Christian, and that their religion has been marginalised and not supported?

[ShortBlackChick]

Just a thought, but I reakon religious sports fans might like the idea of a prayer room. They can go there to pray when their team is losing ahaha.

Also, maybe Im not too sure about what a prayer room entails but how does it cost money? Obviously room space is needed, and there would be some sort of upkeep needed but would that be a lot of money seriously?

Airports, universities and Shopping Centres (I think, cant name any more places though LOL) have prayer rooms, why cant Sporting Stadiums? I dont really see how having them can affect other people significantly either.

[paulsterio]

Like, ok, my real opinion on this issue is that I think it's just completely random, like, do we really need specialised prayer rooms?

Btw, kaz, apparently you can study in the Monash prayer room, must try that out some day

[superstar1]

Well it looks like you're for prayer rooms, so I'll just bring out some against points so you can look at them and discuss, find flaws in them or whatever

1) Prayer rooms cost money, which can be used to improve services such as bathrooms which will be used by a larger proportion of the public

2) Is it necessary to have prayer rooms at sporting venues, if so, then why don't we have prayer rooms at other places such as supermarkets as well?

3) What about the whole notion of "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" - do we, as a country, have a responsibility to promote diversity, or will diversity come by itself?

4) Could it be possible that prayer rooms will create even more division in society?

5) Are we being neutral when buillding a prayer room, for example, what's to stop another religious sect saying that prayer rooms are specifically for the Jewish or Christian, and that their religion has been marginalised and not supported?

as for no.1.. You need to look in the long term of things, yes it will cost money, but how many religious people do you think don't show up to games because they will miss out on prayer, it will also attract more of the religious people who follow sport to the actual game and will therefore bring revenue to the sporting industry.. You néed to think long term..
As for no.2.. Alot of other places do have prayer rooms and so it is time that the sporting industry follow that,
as for no.3, lolll, I have  no idea but I'm assuming that Australia wants to embrace multiculturilasm and so why do you think they celebrate harmony day? Especially at school etc, that shows that yhe government does want to embrace diversity and doing this would be one way of it..
As for no.4,, how will prayer room create more division in society?? That just doesn't make sense?
As for no.5, what you need to understand is that a Prayer room, is a prayer room, all they need is a spare room, with like a cupboard fille with prayer mats for the different religions etc and therefore it can serve as a multireligiom prayer room, what they may need to account for is the fact that they need separate prayer rooms for females and males..
So as you can see, I'm for the prayer rooms as I believe that it is a really good idea to being many different ethnicicities and religions to enjoy a game of sport
lol, btw I hope I didn't sound too rude.. If so, I'm sorry.

[nubs]

as for no.1.. You need to look in the long term of things, yes it will cost money, but how many religious people do you think don't show up to games because they will miss out on prayer, it will also attract more of the religious people who follow sport to the actual game and will therefore bring revenue to the sporting industry.. You néed to think long term..

uh.. how many religious people do you think won't show up to a game cause they miss out on prayer? I think that number is very small. Also, seeing as a growing number of the youth are embracing agnosticism, athiesm, or a pure indifference when it comes to religion, thinking 'long term' could be an argument against your contention if this trend continues (which I believe it will).
Furthermore, it could even discourage some racist people from attending the game, and seeing as your key argument was revenue generation, this may not be a desirable thing from your point of view.

As for no.2.. Alot of other places do have prayer rooms and so it is time that the sporting industry follow that

Why does this mean that the sporting industry needs to follow? Just because 'other places' are doing it? Does that mean I should start injecting meth into my eyeballs if everyone else starts doing it? Just because 'other places' are doing it doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. (Not saying that it shouldn't be done, but saying that 'other places' have prayer rooms isn't enough - for me at least)

As for no.4,, how will prayer room create more division in society?? That just doesn't make sense?

It does make sense, creating prayer rooms has great potential for segregation. Many people judge you on your faith, and (for some) it can change their entire opinion of you to the point where they don't want to be in your presence. There are other reasons why I believe these prayer rooms have the capacity to create division but they just seem rather obvious - to me at least.

As for no.5, what you need to understand is that a Prayer room, is a prayer room, all they need is a spare room, with like a cupboard fille with prayer mats for the different religions etc and therefore it can serve as a multireligiom prayer room, what they may need to account for is the fact that they need separate prayer rooms for females and males..

What you need to understand is that religious differences are often a breeding ground for conflict. You want to put muslims, jews and christians in the same room to pray? Isn't the potential for some people to feel uncomfortable obvious? Why not avoid this potential conflict all together by not having these prayer rooms installed? How many people are going to not attend a great game of football just because they can't pray for a couple of hours.

So as you can see, I'm for the prayer rooms as I believe that it is a really good idea to being many different ethnicicities and religions to enjoy a game of sport

Why does there need to be a prayer room for people of different ethnicities and religions to enjoy a game of sport? Since when has footy not brought people of different values together? Prayer rooms are more likely to segregate than bridge the disparity. The game itself has always removed religious divisions through a mutal hatred of a common enemy in Collingwood (or whoever the opposing side is) - prayer rooms may even have the potential to remind people of their differences.

lol, btw I hope I didn't sound too rude.. If so, I'm sorry.

I tried very hard not to sound rude, but I wanted to, because I disagree with you thoroughly - but hey, we're all entitled to our opinions <3

Also, who'd want to pray in a separate prayer room during a footy much anyway?

over and out xo

[paulsterio]

Is it just me, or does everyone else agree too, that it's kinda weird to pray during a sporting game, like, what's it gonna be like, you're watching sport, then you get up and exit and go pray and then come back and continue watching?

Like with unis and stuff, I understand because you spend so much time there, but with sports, you're only spending like say 2-3 hours at the MCG, max, so why would you even NEED a prayer room?

[JellyDonut]

^Muslambs have designated prayer times where they drop everything to pray.

[pi]

^Muslambs have designated prayer times where they drop everything to pray.

That's just derogatory.

[nubs]

yes but how many muslims are gonna do that in the middle of a game...

[Truck]

I don't see why anyone would care, it's a multi-faith prayer room - that is, anyone can use it. If it's mostly muslims using it then so be it. It's not going to affect you, so why would it bother you... besides, all they need is a spare room - cost isn't really a factor, and as someone mentioned earlier, more religious people are likely to come to the AFL if they can go at half-time and do their prayers, or w/e.

[pi]

I don't see why anyone would care, it's a multi-faith prayer room - that is, anyone can use it. If it's mostly muslims using it then so be it. It's not going to affect you, so why would it bother you... besides, all they need is a spare room - cost isn't really a factor, and as someone mentioned earlier, more religious people are likely to come to the AFL if they can go at half-time and do their prayers, or w/e.

I agree with this, I don't have much of a problem with it. It's not going to make much of a difference anyway, the only one being potentially attracting a few more people to come to a game.

yes but how many muslims are gonna do that in the middle of a game...

Think, if Aus vs Pakistan in a Test match at the G (just an example, not being racist or anything), there will be a fair amount of prayer room use on those Test days imo. And even if not, what's the harm?

[JellyDonut]

^Muslambs have designated prayer times where they drop everything to pray.

That's just derogatory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL1jDcAHkc8