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Church tells Murray: God loves you whether you win or not

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Published Date: 26 June 2009
By ANGUS HOWARTH
IT WOULD appear the hype and expectation surrounding Andy Murray's Wimbledon campaign has reached truly biblical proportions.
As the Scots tennis star powered into the third round in ruthless fashion – demolishing

Latvia's Ernests Gulbis in just one hour and 28 minutes – a sign at the nearby Emmanuel Church which proclaimed "Win or lose Andy, God loves you anyway,
" showed the extent of "Murraymania".

Earlier, the world No3 revealed that he had received a letter from Buckingham Palace congratulating him for winning the Aegon Championship at London Queen's Club.

The Queen praised the Scot's pre-Wimbledon victory for making history as the first Briton in 71 years to win at the venue.

Murray went online before yesterday's second-round clash with Gulbis to boast on Twitter that the Queen is a fan.

He told his 35,000 Twitter followers: "Got a nice letter from the Queen saying well done for winning Queen's. Put it in its own pile away from the bills. See you tomorrow."

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the Queen wanted to acknowledge the victory that sparked "Murraymania".

He said: "The Queen sent a private note on 17 June congratulating Andy Murray on becoming the first Briton to win at the Queen's Club in 71 years."

• We'll be covering Andy Murray's third round match against Victor Troicka live online at Scotsman.com. The match is expected to be third to start on centre court on Saturday. Click here to join the action



Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 26 June 2009 3:12 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Andrew Murray
 
1

Finlang,

Hong Kong 26/06/2009 03:02:21
Godsmacked. Now that Jesus loves you for a sunbeam you'll be fine, Andy.
2

,

26/06/2009 06:11:27
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3

Saul Tyre,

26/06/2009 06:26:59
Andy will certainly be relieved to hear that. Well done the church.
4

,

26/06/2009 06:48:58
Comment Removed By Administrator
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5

Corky,

26/06/2009 07:03:51
Media at One, what a plonker!
6

Media at One,

26/06/2009 07:19:47
Corky - Did I hit a nerve? Your response is priceless!

But perhaps you can explain why the believers who win always thank god, but those who lose dont?

You will never hear the guy who comes 10th saying, I thank god for my 10th position.

The church should maybe keep their god to themselves.
7

Sgian Dubh,

26/06/2009 07:57:02
#4
For once, a very amusing post:-)
8

reincarnated,

Edinburgh 26/06/2009 09:21:19
Hopefully god loves the other guy as well.
9

Gordon, Canonmills,

26/06/2009 09:54:41
Aye, c’mon, Corky – a bit of objectivity, SVPL.

I too have been irked in the past by Media at One postings, and in all probability will be again, but today’s post at #4 is spot on.

That is to say, what kind of deity would favour one sporting contestant over another?

And following what criteria? Sporting ability? Strength of faith? Colour of eyes?

So, we have famines, wars, persecution, torture, epidemics, etc., etc., ... and Himself is supposed to be sitting on a cloud shouting at the plasma “C’mon, Andy, gie it laldy!”

Aye.

Right.
10

Dún Aenghus,

26/06/2009 10:28:00
#4 Media.......
Three cheers for the decent administrator who removed your garbage post!
11

Corky,

26/06/2009 10:38:31
Dún Aenghus,

MaO deleted his own post once he realised what a plonker he made of himself. I just wonder what reason he gave?

MaO - you didn't touch any nerve - you overrate yourself - in your own words - "what a plonker".

In answer to your dumbfool question - They do thank God, only plonkers like you deny it.


btw plonker - 'God' is a proper noun, didn't they teach you that at your perfect school? They did at mine, despite you constantly berating Scottish education and all things Scottish.


However, as you completely missed the point and took the quote entirely out of context I'll explain in simple terms - what the sign was saying was that God loves us all and doesn't concentrate on just the winners. That's not a very difficult concept for most people to grasp - clearly beyond your febrile splutterings.
12

Corky,

26/06/2009 10:44:16
reincarnated - He does - that's the whole point!
13

Corky,

26/06/2009 10:45:29
Gordon, I'm being entirely objective - I think you've made the same error as MaO.
14

Gordon, Canonmills,

26/06/2009 11:12:38
Corky, I think the point is that the church in question saw fit to jump on the bandwagon of a sporting personality's popularity to use the reflected glory as propaganda for their own particular cause.

That was what I was trying to say and why it is relevant, by extension, to take a swipe at the partisanship of most expounders of religion(s).
15

reincarnated,

Edinburgh 26/06/2009 11:16:36
As for the point, I think you missed it Corky. It was probably not well made , but i canna be bothered going into it.
16

Gordon, Canonmills,

26/06/2009 11:18:33
I also think that Media at One was saying something similar and that he did so in fairly moderate terms, ... which begs the questions:

a) which anti-Voltairian poster considered it appropriate to report his posting?

and

b) on what grounds did the moderator see fit to censor him?
17

Observer,,

Glasgow 26/06/2009 11:23:13
What was it that Media said anyway ? He's usually quite good on the subject of ''God'' it'sjust everything else he's a bit mental about.
18

Gordon, Canonmills,

26/06/2009 11:37:43
Observer #17

Basically he was lampooning the habit of certain participants in sporting events of invoking supernatural aid in the cause of scoring a goal or winning a set or getting a round under par; of them expecting a higher being to take sides in a game.

He made his point and his post was ironical and quite witty. I can’t see why it should have caused offence.
19

Strict Ivan Jellicoe,

Renfrew 26/06/2009 11:41:41
Media at One item #6
"The church should maybe keep their god to themselves."
Trying to enforce censorship on the church are you?
You are free to comment, why shouldn't the church be?
20

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 12:03:03
Probably for the best Murray doesn't turn to god. Studies have suggested that patients in hospital who know people are praying for them are more likely to die than patients who have no one praying for them.
21

Corky,

26/06/2009 12:10:25
Gordon,

MaO probably deleted his own post. Emanuel Church is making the simple point that in their view even the most humble person is still loved by God.

We would all do well to remember those who aren't winners, don't you think?
22

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 12:39:16
#21

The Church are basing that on an assumption of course that there is a "god".
23

Observer,,

Glasgow 26/06/2009 12:44:24
18 I suppose it depends what God you are praying to. I can imagine Zeus or some other ancient God taking a side in a tennis match, but that all powerful deity worshipped these days would be too busy being omnipetent methinks.

Still if deities are taking an interest in sport, perhaps Murray should sacrifice a few goats or a horse or something before his matches - that used to be quite popular and you never know.....
24

Corky,

26/06/2009 12:46:40
Rosscobhoy,

Erm yes ...... that's what Churches do.

btw 'God' is a proper noun even if you are an aetheist.
25

Gordon, Canonmills,

26/06/2009 12:59:00
Corky #21,

"We would all do well to remember those who aren't winners, don't you think?"

It would be churlish indeed to find fault with such a noble sentiment. For that very reason I won't comment either on the "simple" point in your first paragraph!

Observer #23,

If nothing else the article does serve to prove the point that Andy Murray does exist!
26

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 13:03:06
#23

Or give his daughter up to be raped.
27

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 13:07:37
#24

My point was that the Chruch could be wasting their time.
28

Corky,

26/06/2009 14:01:50
Gordon,

If, as you say, the sentiment is noble, why do so many people seek to lampoon it on this site?
29

Dún Aenghus,

26/06/2009 14:11:36
#20 Rossco....
Seven days without prayer makes one weak!
30

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 14:11:44
#28

I'm not lampooning the sentiment. I'm lampooning the notion of "God".
31

Dún Aenghus,

26/06/2009 14:18:54
#27 Rossco.

Do you not think that it worth a gamble?
God just might exist,and if he/she/it does exist,would'nt it be better not to be caught in the position of having been told that God exists but on your own decision,decide to deny the existence of God.
If you know what I meen. Phew! that was difficult.
32

Dún Aenghus,

26/06/2009 14:20:20
#31 "mean" Oops!
33

,

26/06/2009 14:25:36
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34

Strict Ivan Jellicoe,

Renfrew 26/06/2009 14:27:39
#31 Dún Aenghus - that was very good!
35

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 14:32:14
Would also add that i don't feel people need religious guidance or a "God" to live decent caring lives. Yes, religious texts have a lot of good moral teachings(or however you may phrase it) you don't need the religion to understand the sentiment.
36

Lianachan,

Highlands 26/06/2009 15:00:01
#35 I've always thought the people who claim that religion teaches people to lead good lives and be nice to each other are implying that they are only leading those good lives, etc, because they think the great eye in the sky is watching them. Is it possible, perhaps, that people are capable of behaving themselves just for their own reasons, and not out of the fear of a spiritual thrashing?
37

Strict Ivan Jellicoe,

Renfrew 26/06/2009 15:18:00
No, I don't think that is possible.
38

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 15:44:47
#36

I think it probably does happen but you'll find very few religious people willing to admit it. Fear has always been the best way to get people to comply with what you want. Things like "The War on Terror" are really just extensions of that.

#37

I've managed it.
39

Corky,

26/06/2009 15:53:33
Lianachan - no such implication, that would be vanity. A vanity too many fall for - believers and non believers alike. Of course you can follow a good life with or without belief, by the grace of God.


#35 - He didn't 'mess' things up - humans did - He gave us free will.

#30 - Shame on you. Harsh satire of anothers noble and heartfelt beliefs is hardly noble itself, is it?


Interesting that the the fundementalist aetheist taliban have hijacked this story for their peculiar brand of hurtful comment..............
40

,

26/06/2009 15:54:07
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41

,

26/06/2009 16:06:53
Comment Removed By Administrator
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42

Corky,

26/06/2009 16:08:29
Media at One,

It doesn't any better second time round. In your own words - you're a plonker and 'God' is still a proper noun!
43

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 16:13:13
#39

I'm perfectly happy for people to form their own opinions on "God". That i think he does not exist is my business. That you think he does is yours. I feel it would benefit humanity if people had the same belief as me. I argue my beliefs and hope to convince others to believe what i do. If they don't, i don't care. The world will still go round and on a statistical basis 10 out of 10 people will still die. I'm not forcing anyone to do what i say or believe what i think. Nothing Talaban-esque in what i have said.
44

Media at One,

26/06/2009 16:17:40
Corky - I may be a plonker! But your god is a murdering, rapist who tortures people for fun. And you think that is cool enough for worship and praise.
That tells me all I need to know about you.
45

,

26/06/2009 16:19:26
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46

Corky,

26/06/2009 16:20:09
and the beauty of it is, He still loves losers.
47

Corky,

26/06/2009 16:22:04
Media at One - you know little or nothing about me. You overrate yourself.
48

Corky,

26/06/2009 16:23:05
Actually 'God' is a proper noun - your perfect South African education system has let you down badly.
49

Corky,

26/06/2009 16:24:10
Rosscobhoy,

the taliban are fundementalists just like you.
50

Media at One,

26/06/2009 16:28:44
Corky - No corky, no overating!
You are what we refer to as a disciple of compliance, your ideologies are not your own and your willingness to enquire is subdued to a whimper on the basis that you fear your invisible creator.
Education is one thing, common sense is quite another and it appears as if your god short changed you on both accounts. But dont worry, I am sure IT still loves you.
51

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 16:29:30
#49 We'll agree to disagree! As i said, i have my beliefs(or lack of in this case) and you have yours. Life will go on and i'll get a good lie in on a Sunday morning.
52

Gordon, Canonmills,

26/06/2009 16:31:18
Corky #28

The sentiment in question is compassion, which I havn't seen anyone mocking.

The irony is directed towards belief in the supernatural.

BTW - you're wrong about the proper noun. For Christians, or montheists in general, "God" is a person, well, a being at least, and therefore has a name, whereas god for atheists is a concept and as such is not a proper noun.

e.g. You could say "the islanders believed a a whole array of gods" and a capital letter would be inappropriate, just as you wouldn't say "the islanders had many Cattle".

#31 - feartygowk!
53

Corky,

26/06/2009 16:33:16
Rosscobhoy,

I get a good lie in on Sundays too - 7 am instead of the usual 5.00 am - plenty of time to enjoy Gods creation.


Media at One,

Don't underrate the value of education. I think you'll find overrate has two 'r's
54

Media at One,

26/06/2009 16:41:48
So here we are discussing god and Corky the religious bigot wants to focus on spelling within the confines of an electronic message board.

R u 4 real?

It appears that you have given up on your god, which is only fair since he never even began caring for you. Call your god right now, go on call him. Ask him to appear in front of you, tell him you want to see him in the flesh. I bet you a billion cyber pounds he becomes as visible as the Europen cup is in the IBROX trophy room.
So do you also hate Egyptians? like your god?
55

Corky,

26/06/2009 16:48:44
btw - the article is referring to a monotheist God - therefore it's a proper noun.

God is a proper noun whether you are a believer or not. Failure to accord the word a capital is a calculated insult.

I wouldn't think of referring to Ringo, John Paul and George as the beatles even if I didn't like them, I wouldn't refer to the humourous dog as snoopy even if I thought him banal.

So where are you coming from?
56

Corky,

26/06/2009 16:49:36
MaO - God still loves you and the Egyptians, and you're still a plonker!
57

Media at One,

26/06/2009 16:50:51
Is the sporting god a Brazilian loving All Black with a passion for the New York Yankees and Man United?
Does he sometimes swoop down on a golf course near you and dull the senses of each player other than Tiger Woods?
58

Media at One,

26/06/2009 16:54:28
Failure to use a capital G for god is a calculated insult.
But murdering Egyptian babies is worthy of praise!
You could'nt make it up.
59

Media at One,

26/06/2009 16:56:19
Corky - #56 You say god loves me. Guess what, I hate him and everything he stands for. Bring me a devil any day, they arent as cruel.
60

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 17:02:18
#59

As Gandhi said "I Love your Jesus Christ, but i don't like your Christians".

Or something like that.
61

Media at One,

26/06/2009 17:15:40
Rosscobhoy - I like your christ, but not your christians. He said this on the basis that christians are always so unlike their christ.
I suppose he had a point! I mean look at quirky? Or is it corky?
62

Media at One,

26/06/2009 17:20:32
God tells Murray god loves him.

Lucky he is Scottish, if he was Egyptian god would have killed him with a fiery tennis ball.
63

Rosscobhoy,

26/06/2009 17:24:04
#62

Don't give the Americans any ideas. I can see extreme Tennis on Jackass before you know it.
64

Corky,

26/06/2009 17:26:16
What sort of semi-literate South African oaf doesn't know that Christ, Christian and God are all proper nouns?

What happened to your education? Too many blows to the head?

Also the apostropher in couldn't denotes the missing vowel. It's not some random piece of punctuation.
65

Corky,

26/06/2009 17:26:37
sorry apostrophe
66

Media at One,

26/06/2009 17:31:24
Extreme Tennis - lol

I see corky is still ongoing about jesus, god and the chrissytians. He is a Devilish character!
67

Media at One,

26/06/2009 17:33:53
#65 corky - haha! oh you fool you.
What was that apostropher? Is that like a blashphomer? or is that a godphomorophorer? No wait isnt it a jesusism? No wait it IS a godfornomonoun isnt it?
68

Corky,

26/06/2009 17:34:13
zzzzzzzzzzzzz















zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz















zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz







Oh the Plonker's still here!








zzzzzzzzz
69

Media at One,

26/06/2009 17:41:42
corky - yes still here! but your god isnt...hahahah
70

Tartan Bond,

26/06/2009 18:09:09
Dún Aenghus # 29

Your comment there reminds me of this joke.

What is the difference between oral sex and ånål sex.

Oral sex makes your day, while ånål sex make your whole week.

As told to me by the god of jokes, s/he likes a good laugh
71

Corky,

26/06/2009 18:44:46
Corky is also a proper noun.
72

,

26/06/2009 18:57:17
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Reason:
73

Dún Aenghus,

26/06/2009 19:38:22
#70 Tartan Bond....Good one!
Alex Higgins the former world champion snooker player said, he always had to make the decision,whether to go for the pink or the brown!
74

,

26/06/2009 20:27:47
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
75

Media at One,

26/06/2009 20:36:09
vincent -
South African tennis players? What are you on about?
The Cricket is near to being the best in the world, the rugby IS the best in the world, the golf is tremendous, the swimming stars are out of this world, the football is getting better, although Brazil did eventually beat them last night - But tennis, apart from Mrs Federer's son, we dont have anyone. Mind you, Roger opted to take his dad's nationality.
76

,

27/06/2009 08:35:15
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Reason:
77

livilion,

livingston 27/06/2009 16:47:17
#76 Vincent-W

There is no merit in having a battle of wits with the Village Idiot, him being an unarmed man with a post-empire Britannia fixation, overt Scottishness seems to him anathema. Leave him be.

 

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