# Sports and the Danger of Idolatry Ellen White directly addressed the issue of sports becoming a form of idolatry, warning that "this making and exchanging photographs is a species of idolatry" (
MYP 316) — and she applied this same principle to sports and entertainment. She observed how "men act as though they had gone mad over low, cheap, unsatisfying things" (
MTC 176.4), specifically noting the excessive excitement over cricket matches that drew massive crowds in Sydney. The core danger she identified was not in simple physical activity itself, but in the passion and devotion that sports can generate. She wrote, "I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball; but this, even in its simplicity, may be overdone" (
CCh 162.1). The problem emerges when these activities lead to "self-glorifying, and the educating in these games for pleasure, produce a love and passion for such things that is not favorable to the perfection of Christian character" (
2SM 322). Ellen White was particularly troubled by the misplaced priorities she witnessed. After seeing streets densely crowded for blocksover a cricket match result, she stated, "I felt disgusted" (
MTC 176.4).
Her concern was the stark contrast between the excitement generated by sports versus spiritual matters: "Why Do Sports Events Create More Excitement Than Do Promises of God?" (
MTC 176.4). This reveals the heart of the idolatry issue — when sports command more attention, emotion, and devotion than God's promises and truth. She also warned about the financial cost, noting that sports and amusements lead to "an outlay of means that should be expended in bringing the light of truth to souls that are perishing out of Christ" (
2SM 322). The broader context shows that "the shows, the theaters, and all such demoralizing amusements, are taking the money from the country, and poverty is continually increasing" (
12MR 90.1).
Her definition of idolatry makes the application clear: "An idol is anything that human beings love and trust in instead of loving and trusting in the Lord their Maker. Whatever earthly thing men desire and trust in as having power to help them and do them good, leads them away from God, and is to them an idol" (
3SM 330). When sports create more passion than spiritual things, when they consume resources meant for God's work, and when they divide our affections from supreme love for God, they become idolatrous. Importantly, Ellen White did not condemn all physical activity or recreation. She even encouraged teachers to "sometimes enter into the sports and plays of the little children and teach them how to play" (
6T 205.5), showing that simple, wholesome recreation has its place. The issue is one of balance, priority, and the heart's devotion. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:**
• What did Ellen White say about the proper use of recreation and amusement?
• How does Ellen White define idolatry in other areas of life beyond sports?
• What counsel did she give about balancing physical exercise with spiritual development? --- 📚 **hundreds of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=Sports+Idolatry)
Ellen Chat