Here is a story about a Kentucky cross country runner who withdrew from a race that could have qualified her for states because her bib number was 666. Junior Codie Thacker of Whitley County High and her coach, Gina Croley, said they tried to get a different number for the regional meet from three different officials but were denied each time. “I didn’t want to risk my relationship with God and try to take that number,” Thacker said, adding that she’s been training since June for this race. “I was so nervous, I thought about it all week.”
I usually stay away from religion and politics because I know little about them and many people are sensitive about these issues. However, this story struck a chord with me because this is where reality clashes with a religious belief and the person makes the wrong decision. The decision making behind not running because of a number on your chest is illogical. You’ve trained since June to run this race which is a lot of hard work. This is the 3rd year in a row you are running this race which shows that it’s not just some pie in the sky idea. As a human being, without bringing God into play, you like doing cross county and it means something to you. Now you are given a number that coincides with the devil and a thought goes off that this number is evil and you won’t wear it while you run. I was under the impression that most religious people believe that God is almighty and he guides your path. Which in turn would mean that God is putting this number in front of you to wear and by not wearing it, you are going away from God’s path. Do you see where I’m going with this?
This girl isn’t using her brain. She’s letting religion do her thinking and it’s dangerous. Religion is actually preventing her from accomplishing her goals in this case. I can’t wrap my head around the idea that individual people let religion interfere with their life. I have no problem with religion and if makes you act and feel like a better person, I’m all for it, but when it has taken over your mind to the point that you can’t wear a bib with the number 666 on it, you’ve gone overboard. If I had to tell you what scares me the most about religious people, it’s this. They lose their sense of self. You get 75 years on Earth and there are 7 billion other people doing the same thing you are doing. Letting religion supersede living life and doing things you enjoy doing is not a lifestyle I conform to. Nor should it be preached. I’d be curious what religious people think about this story. Is she going overboard or fully justified?
I’m not religious, and agree it’s ridiculous.