80 replies to this topic

[Phucaigh]

It is times like this when a driver has an accident that we sometimes see the religious side in F1, I mean some of the drivers are religious and from what I read the Massa family are a religious family.
At least half the drivers are Catholic, I just wonder how are the needs of the drivers catered for on a race weekend?
Do the religious people in teams attend local churches or is mass/service or whatever religious ceremony performed at the track to cater for them?

Another example of the religious side in F1 would be when Cristiano da Matta had his accident and some of the drivers and others gathered at the Toyota motorhome to pray for him.

This is an area we don't hear much about but a fair few of the drivers are religious, so what is the current situation when it comes to serving their religious needs?

[klyster]

I would have thought "faith" would be enough?

Edited by klyster, 26 July 2009 - 09:15.

[D.M.N.]

I think its the same with most sports to be honest - when they are participating, you don't think "these are real people" - you just think they are a racing driver/cricket player/athlete - you don't really think about their personal life.

It's only at times like these that you think about this really. I imagine some drivers/teams will have some kind of tribute or silence for Felipe, hoping he makes a speedy recovery.

[alfista]

Haven't heard about those facilities at racing tracks but universal chapels are present at Olympic Games. What I've seen was a single facility where every major religion had their own dedicated time.

[Welsh]

I remember Niki Lauda was given last rites at the time of his accident..........

[MinT]

If they were that religious they surely wouldnt be racing on a Sunday.....

[JPW]

Dunno about F1 but during the Le Mans 24 hours they used to have (until few years ago) a mass/service on Sunday morning at la Chapelle corner (just after the Dunlop bridge).

[Desdirodeabike]

If they were that religious they surely wouldnt be racing on a Sunday.....

The Bible does not specify a specific day. Only that you have a resting day. For your own good.
The world would stop in many places if people had to do it on Sunday.
Of course, in jewish tradition, the sabbath is on a saturday.

Edited by Desdirodeabike, 26 July 2009 - 15:59.

[potmotr]

If they were that religious they surely wouldnt be racing on a Sunday.....

Former All Black rugby player Michael Jones wouldn't play on a Sunday because of his Christianity.

[Tolyngee]

The world would stop in many places if people had to do it on Sunday.

http://www.telegraph...ping-rules.html

France re-thought their position on this to help their economy.

Anyway, if you read that interview given by the most spiritual of them all (Senna), he'd explain that Jesus came to him...

Apparently even stayed with him when he drove around... I'd be hoping he'd have gone away by that time...

[Muz Bee]

If they were that religious they surely wouldnt be racing on a Sunday.....

I'm not sure what exact slant this thread is aimed but...

Christ is quoted in the gospels "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath" which is widely believed to mean that it is a day of rest and contemplation of one's purpose in life.

Some people take a "religious" or rules-base approach to this and refuse to do some things on Sunday (or Saturday). That's their choice of course but thank goodness others (Christians) see that the world would fall apart if there were a day of the week when no work were done.

Much of the world currently operates in a secular manner and any specific religious ritual or content is optional or removed or even banned. When a person dies or is gravely injured however things tend to change to a more holistic and accepting approach on observance. I just thinks that in these circumstances family and friends (most of pitlane) respect the "faith" of the person. There may be "religious" overtones but respect for individual stance tends to be universal and messages like "please pray for Felipe" are hopefully respected.

[wewantourdarbyback]

Former All Black rugby player Michael Jones wouldn't play on a Sunday because of his Christianity.

Jonathan Edwards refused to compete a couple of times because it was on a Sunday.

[Buckethead]

Does anyone know the religion of this years f1 drivers? and I don't want this to turn to a fight. I just want the know this.
I know Massa believes in God but I don't know for sure about the others..

[brabhamBT19]

If they were that religious they surely wouldnt be racing on a Sunday.....

good point

[brabhamBT19]

Does anyone know the religion of this years f1 drivers? and I don't want this to turn to a fight. I just want the know this.
I know Massa believes in God but I don't know for sure about the others..

roughly;

brazilian and italian drivers are chatolics

spaniards can be anything really

british and german - protestants, but can be other

finnish -dunno

japanese -buddhusts


but as I said this is rough estimation

[Muz Bee]

good point

What point??

[brabhamBT19]

What point??

about sunday

[Muz Bee]

roughly;

brazilian and italian drivers are chatolics

spaniards can be anything really

british and german - protestants, but can be other

finnish -dunno

japanese -buddhusts


but as I said this is rough estimation

Australians and New Zealanders generally atheists or agnostics (they are not sure).
South Koreans (surprisingly) mainly Christian...

A rough summary only.

So how do race organisers etc look after everyone's interests? Sensitivity and tolerance I guess. Most people don't want to talk about their "religion" or what I call "faith" or "worldview" because there is so much insensitivity and intolerance. This is stupid really since everyone has a religion however clearly or not it is formed at any time in their life.

Interesting that in USA near 90% say they "believe in God or are Christians" despite an apparent ignorance of what that means. I don't mean to insult any race by this but credible surveys have shown the fundamentals of this belief system are not widely known like "what is Easter?" A prayer is said over the PA system at most major USA auto race events (and probably sports events) so it's kind of a cultural accepted thing in that country.

Latin countries are usually the Catholic slant on the Christian belief system where it is deeply rooted in the culture, hence Rubens' openly stated faith and of course Ayrton's.

I think the issue is done no favours when people don't feel free to admit whatever they believe or are offended by those who do, even in a non-judgmental manner.

Not sure how we got here on a motorsport BB... Whatever, I'm pleased this thread hasn't turned into derision of others views. Maybe I'm opening myself up.....

[Muz Bee]

about sunday

Clear as mud mate.

[Buckethead]

Thanks for the info brabhamBT19, but I still would like a simple list of f1 drivers. If someone knows.

[Chubby_Deuce]

Maybe the drivers handle their religion privately, since it's a private thing. No need to cater to them.

[Buckethead]

Yeah. I think so too, BUT would be nice to know

[brabhamBT19]

Thanks for the info brabhamBT19, but I still would like a simple list of f1 drivers. If someone knows.

Buemi is muslim, but I'm not 100% sure

[alfista]

I remember three-time WTCC champion Andy Priaulx used buddhism techniques for mental preparation although I am not sure if he is a buddhist.

[brabhamBT19]

Maybe the drivers handle their religion privately, since it's a private thing. No need to cater to them.

+1

[brabhamBT19]

Clear as mud mate.

well christians (in particula chatolisc), beleive sunday is the day of the god, the day when you should stopp all your activities and pray to the god, obviously through the ages it evolved into day for rest

[PassWind]

about sunday

Its not a good point because over the spectrum of all of the religions sabath runs Friday sometime til Sunday sometime. But I reckon they just have to pretend they are somewhere else on the planet, you can always everyday find another timezone that isn't the day you are physically in.

What happens to Christians that fly from the US to Australia on a Saturday and 13 hours later land on Monday, Crikey a religious conundrum. Potentially you could fly back and forth US/Australia and never see a Sunday......

[PassWind]

well christians (in particula chatolisc), beleive sunday is the day of the god, the day when you should stopp all your activities and pray to the god, obviously through the ages it evolved into day for rest

Seventh Day Adventists have Sabbath on a Saturday, so not all Christians

[brabhamBT19]

Seventh Day Adventists have Sabbath on a Saturday, so not all Christians

I was reffering mainly to chatolics, all others are... well

[SerekPL]

good point

Pole is Chatolist too,
Robert Kubica is chatolist.

[postajegenye]

As far as I know, Alonso is not religious.

[Velocifer]

What's religion again?

[Muz Bee]

What's religion again?

The definite adherence to a particular set of rules and/or beliefs of a spiritual faith. Effectively adherence to atheism (belief there is no God) is a religion.

Christian doctrine - the gospels - specifically quotes Jesus saying that the purpose of the sabbath (whatever day you choose to observe it if at all) is for man's rest and not for a compulsory sit-down-strike! It's pretty clear and unequivocal whatever rules-obsessed people may want to impose on the use of Sundays.

Bloody good second leg at the Superbikes on Sunday!

[Ben]

Effectively adherence to atheism (belief there is no God) is a religion.

No it isn't.

If I make something up and ask you if you "believe in it" you do not have to form an organised structure to oppose it. You simply have to ask "show me the evidence" and when I can't produce it you are entitled to ignore it.

FYI there was no warmup at the Silverstone LMS race last year due to the requirements for Stowe Church.

Ben

[Andy35]

God is only present in motor racing when He grants Jeff Gordon a win. Or so Jeff would have us believe. Jeff winning must be important in the greater scheme of things. God's diary :-

"Woke up early, felt refreshed, feeling pretty omnipotent today, looked in diary and saw I needed to give Jeff another NASCAR win. Mustn't forget."

As an atheist of course, who makes Richard Dawkins look like Billy Graham, I can safely say it is all poppycock and down to chance.

Regards
Andy

Edited by AndyW35, 27 July 2009 - 11:15.

[Korben82]

roughly;

brazilian and italian drivers are chatolics

spaniards can be anything really

90% of people in Spain are catholics, although the vast majority don't go to mass at all.

[Pilla]

What's religion again?

Brainwashing

[brabhamBT19]

90% of people in Spain are catholics, although the vast majority don't go to mass at all.

what about that alternative andaluzian Pope, who claimed that he losed his eyes in fight with devil, while the truth is he drove drunk and crashed

he had some 100.000 followers IMO

what was the guys name I forgot?

I think he resided in Huelva, but I'm not sure

[brabhamBT19]

Effectively adherence to atheism (belief there is no God) is a religion.

atheism is not beleiveing there is no god, atheism is denying god

a - for denying, like in asexual or amoral, like anti antiteism

theus -god

Edited by brabhamBT19, 27 July 2009 - 11:31.

[BuonoBruttoCattivo]

Buemi is muslim, but I'm not 100% sure

I think Alguesuary is as well. Shiaa muslim though...

[lustigson]

What's all this "chatolist" business? Some new religion I haven't heard about?;)

Seriously though, from a sporting point of view, religion or non-religion (which, in a sense, is religion, too) isn't all that interesting. However, looking at the human side of things, I find it rather interesting. E.g. being a Christian myself, when I found out R.G. Barrichello is a believer in Christ, as a Roman Catholic, made me feel more connected, somehow.

[Muz Bee]

No it isn't.

If I make something up and ask you if you "believe in it" you do not have to form an organised structure to oppose it. You simply have to ask "show me the evidence" and when I can't produce it you are entitled to ignore it.

FYI there was no warmup at the Silverstone LMS race last year due to the requirements for Stowe Church.

Ben

You are describing agnosticism which is having no pint of view on the subject either way and is irreligious. Richard Dawkins - see following post - is religious. His religion is that the elements arranged themselves by chance to produce life sustaining compounds such as amino acids which through natural selection produced the tree of life. He certainly speaks with all the fire and brimstone of a very religious person with an axe to grind. At least Andy does it with great humour. Never ask God to win you Lotto Andy, I'm told he doesn't approve of gambling.

It is definitely OK to pray for Felipe Massa though. I'm sure he is going to be fine.

[Gilles4Ever]

Keep this about Religious services for drivers/team members - As soon as it gets to be a general religious discussion the thread will be closed or moved to another forum.

[Snap Matt]

I would have thought that with driver briefings, strategy meetings, sponsor appearances, the parade and their health/relaxation routines, Sunday morning wouldn't leave much time for the drivers to attend a religious service too.

[evo.x]

I would have thought that with driver briefings, strategy meetings, sponsor appearances, the parade and their health/relaxation routines, Sunday morning wouldn't leave much time for the drivers to attend a religious service too.

I recall a press conference during which a journalist asked Kubica if "John Paul II" written on his helmet helped to save him from his 2007 Montreal crash.
His answer was basically "Next question, please..." said in a voice tone that sounded like "Not your f..king business, idiot..."

[Buckethead]

However, looking at the human side of things, I find it rather interesting. E.g. being a Christian myself, when I found out R.G. Barrichello is a believer in Christ, as a Roman Catholic, made me feel more connected, somehow.

Yep. Same thing with Massa.

And please, keep this racing related.

http://www.nndb.com/.../985/000044853/
Alonso seems to be Roman Catholic (like most Spaniards), but it's pretty personal thing so it might not be right.

[Phucaigh]

It is hard to find some personal information on some of the drivers concerning their beliefs or non beliefs, sometimes we look for things we have in common with others.

Atheists or agnostics would understand the position of the atheist or agnostic driver compared to lets say a Christian or Muslim driver and vice versa.
Bernie would like a black Jewish or Muslim woman to be racing in F1, it is obvious people connect and will see a little bit of themselves in a driver who has something similar to themselves and that happens in a wider context too.

So possibly two Muslim drivers with Buemi and possibly Alguersuari.
Catholic drivers include Hamilton, Alonso, Massa, Trulli, Barrichello, Kubica, Fisichella.
So half the grid is unknown...

So for muslims its Friday, what does that involve?
For Catholics its Saturday evening/night or Sunday
No Jewish drivers and an orthodox Jew would not qualify on a Saturday so a non orthodox Jew would be needed.
No Tom Cruise....
Was Karthikeyan a Hindu when in F1? Not sure about the holy days in Hindu.
I'm sure there are some drivers of various Protestant denomination and the same for non believers. Some do keep it private.

[Snap Matt]

No Tom Cruise....

Sheesh, wouldn't that be something to see, a driver that attributed their success to Scientology. A PR battleground for sure.

[Ampersand]

I'm pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that Alonso doesn't believe in God, but that Raikkonen does (although not necessarily in an "organised religion" way). I'm afraid I don't have any sources though...

[gindan]

In the US most series have non denominational services on race weekends for crews/drivers. Nascar has a purely christian oriented service available. Personally, I think religion needs to stay far away from any sport events. Each person can practice whatever there beliefs privately. There is no need for any kind of group gatherings.