Americans may be divided when it comes to supporting teams for the Super Bowl American football competition but they mostly agree that God doesn’t care who wins and he does not determine the game’s winner.
Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers (25-22) at the Super Bowl LVIII Final, winning the 2023 season last Feb. 11 (2024), watched on television by nearly 124 million U.S. viewers, reportedly the largest TV viewing audience in the nation’s history.
However, most Americans believe God is not interested, despite their own fascination with the popular sports game — according to research published by Lifeway Research on Feb. 4.
“While a large number of Americans believe God exists, far fewer think He is a fan of either team in the Super Bowl,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “While these are interesting questions for win-loving humans to ponder, God describes His own ways as higher than our ways—not unlike a blimp being higher than the players on the ground (Isaiah 55:8-9).”
In fact, only one in eight Americans (13%) believe God cares about who wins the Super Bowl. A further seven in 10 (68%) disagree that he does care, and 61% strongly disagree with the notion.
A further 16% are uncertain and four percent don’t believe in the existence of God so the point is irrelevant.
Evangelicals are more likely to say God cares about the Super Bowl, compared to those without such beliefs (19% versus 11%). Catholics are most likely to disagree with that (80%).
Churchgoers, whether attending a worship service more than once per week (24%), once per week (15%) or occasionally (18%) are more likely to hold such beliefs compared to those who rarely or never attend worship meetings (6%).
“Most Americans aren’t willing to agree that an infinite God can be reduced to a finite question stating His care for the Super Bowl winner,” said McConnell. “But churchgoers who are regularly reminded of God’s care are a little more likely to say He cares about the big game.”
Men are more likely than women to believe God cares about the game (16% against 10%). A racial difference is also notable with African Americans (22%) and Hispanics (19%) more likely to hold such beliefs compared to white Americans (9%).
Younger people (21% for 18-34 and 16% of 35-49 age groups) are more prone to hold such beliefs compared to those older (7% of 50-64 and 3% of 65-plus).
“Many theologians would point to the fact that God does not look at outward appearances, which may include a win or a trophy, but instead cares about our hearts,” (1 Samuel 16:7) said McConnell. “But many Christian players thank God after a win, showing belief He had something to do with it.”
