When Michael Sam first came to public attention, I noted that his mom was a JW and raised him in the borg. I thought it was so ironic and so damn sad that this kid from a broken home with messed-up brothers, I think one in prison, one dead, and one just "disappeared," found his strength and salvation NOT in "Jehovah's loving spirit-directed organization" but in playing ball at school - which as you all know in JW eyes is bad association at best and doing Satan's bidding at worst.
I'm too long gone from the borg to think of the specious Bible quotes against school sports, but some of you no doubt know what they are. Hell, in my time, early 1970s, I had to attend entire-school pep rallies in the gym on Fridays before football games, but was told by the oh-so-spiritual-minded Elders in my congo I had to sit there like a stone and not clap, cheer, stand up, shout, sing, or twitch the slightest muscle that could be construed as "supporting" all that devilish worldly stuff. Just as if a pep rally was equivalent to saluting the flag or whatever. I was totally not into playing sports, so that was never an issue - but I was told that I couldn't even join the Latin Club! What a wicked, nasty thing to do that would have been, oh my yes!
And STILL Michael's mom thinks he should have stayed home and never played ball and been a good little jaydub, bored to freakin' tears 24/7 and nothing truly constructive to do with his time and talents. And would have turned out like his brothers, no doubt. Oh but I'm sure she is all upset and grieving and soooo worried about his "spiritual condition"! And totally blind to the fact this this one kid may well be her finest achievement in this life - no thanks at all to the Watchtower cult!
I already admired Michael for coming out, but when I learned of his JW background, I was even more amazed and admiring. I wish him all the best.
