I’m very disappointed with Lance Armstrong. Im also not exactly sure what is going on with Manti Teo, (reserving judgement there, but it seems like we don’t have all the details or why it happened). The Patriots did it (Spygate), numerous other athletes have done it with performance enhancing drugs, Ponzi Scams, the list goes on. I think it goes without saying that many extremely powerful people, athletes, businesses, etc are doing it now and it just isnt known. I see it as cheating when photographers steal others images.
Lance is a cancer survivor and for a long, long time was an American Hero. I had mad respect for the guy. I do not respect him now, even with all the extremely hard, legit work he did put in. For the rest of his life, no one will be able to know for sure if he is telling the truth or not. Once your honor and good name have been destroyed on a national stage, it is nearly impossible to fix it. Additionally, very different when someone makes an honest human mistake or error. Different story when a deception is perpetuated intentionally.
There is a saying that “Cheaters never win.” I don’t believe that anymore, What we are seeing now is that cheaters win all the time. They only lose when they are caught. It is almost as if our society has become so infatuated with winning, that it is expected to come at all costs, and that cheating or lying for personal gain is actually more important than honor. Times sure have changed.
I would rather lose playing by the rules than win by cheating any day.
Winning by cheating is worse than losing because it makes you a liar, and that sticks with you long after the game is over.
In the big picture, money, wins, personal gain, titles, awards, these things do not matter.
What really defines a person are their character, core values and moral compass.
Why sacrifice them for something temporary?
I was born in 1983…. Sports heros of the mid to late 90’s and early 2000’s mean nothing to me really anymore… to many cheaters…. except Derek Jeter!
I think the message winning at all costs has been pervasive for a long time now. I also think that if Lance get’s his title stripped so should everyone else, and there are many others who have. When you come right down to it there is too much money involved.
I totally agree! When you stop thinking of your name using the words honor, integrity and honesty and instead think of it using winning, net worth & fame… That is where the cheating, lying and deceitful tactics come in to play! I can respect someone for doing what is right and being honest even if they lose… Can’t say the same for someone who lies or cheats to win!
AMEN!
‘What win I, if I gain the thing I seek? A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy. Who buys a minute’s mirth to wail a week? Or sells eternity to ‘get a toy? For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy? Or what fond beggar, but to touch the crown, Would with the sceptre straight be strucken down?
A little Shakespeare to add to the conversation… These are supposed to be rhetorical questions. Perhaps they aren’t so much any more.
It does seem so many athletes these days will cross any line to justify the illegal advantages. I was pretty heavy into cycling during Lance’s run at the tour and always felt some pride that an American was dominating one of the hardest physical events ever run. As more and more people came forward Lance’s absolute insane ego came to light. So much good for cancer and yet he will be viewed rightly as an arrogant bully who stopped at nothing to win. How can you publicly go after people who were telling the truth and sue them? He is without a doubt the most flawed athlete in every aspect of life I have ever heard of. Maybe coming clean now will help him to get on the road to living with the human race. Most of us he didn’t hurt personally. We should pray that he does change his life and can make amends with those he has so brutally wronged. Charles Barkley did have it right. Athletes should not be your role models. Marvel at their skills but look to Christ and family for your true rewards.
Cheaters win all the time??? It may look that way but you can be sure that your sins will find you out. In the end cheaters do not win. You reap what you sow. That’s God’s word. You already can see the results regarding Lance Armstrong.
@JC- I used to think that same way…not anymore. If a person is cheating & gaining an advantage over others undetected, they are benefiting from it.(winning) Its a more dangerous thought to assume this is not the case.
Also, I do not believe a religious (sin) approach to this is reasonable, simply because there are laws & rules made by man that God will not respect. For example, a committee may decide what is and isn’t allowed in a sport. If a committee decides a rule, must God respect that and call it a sin? Every sport has different rules as well. Does God respect each of those rules as determined by each sport? Slippery slope.
Cheaters win regularly in the short term. The point of the post was it isn’t worth it & damages a person’s integrity, religious or not.