Another professional hockey player has taken an unpopular stand for his faith. San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer opted not to wear the team’s specially designed uniform before as the team recently celebrated gay pride night.
“For all 13 years of my NHL career, I have been a Christian — not just in title, but in how I choose to live my life daily,” he tweeted. “I have a personal faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and, in response, asks me to love everyone and follow him. have no hate in my heart for anyone, and I have always strived to treat everyone that I encounter with respect and kindness. In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions, which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life.”
The team said in a statement. “We also acknowledge and accept the rights of individuals to express themselves, including how or whether they choose to express their beliefs, regardless of the cause or topic.”
The Sharks opted to offer information and facts about LGBTQIA+ topics instead of the normal game content during the game against the New York Islanders.
“Worldwide, gender diversity is seen far differently than that in the Western World or as you may know it,” the team tweeted. “Most of us are familiar with the male, female and transgender labels. But in other cultures, the existence of ‘the third gender’ or even fourth and fifth genders is common.”
Frustration over hockey game’s focus on “pride”
Frustrated fans commented on the thread, complaining about how the team was veering into radical leftwing gender theory rather than providing game updates. “Professional hockey teams are now the leading experts regarding X and Y chromosomes. What a time to be alive,” one user shared.
A Christian player for the Philadelphia Flyers was criticized for taking a similar stand earlier this season.
–Alan Goforth | MV