Interesting discussion you raise here Elma. I seem to remember in 2002, the Brazil team was very religious and prayed all the time, maybe because where they are from, religion is a big factor in their lives, i am not sure. However there is also the phenomena in North Africa, which is predominantly Muslim, whenever they score, they all kiss the ground towards Mecca, so it is not only confined to Christianity. Is it right or not, well personally i am all for it, if it impacts on 1 less persone being a radicalised Muslim or takes 1 thief in Brazil from the streets and not to be violent, and if football is the advert for them to see religion, then it is good.

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@Mani: How can you be impressed with the Iranian team taking the pitch with the green bands (brave and amazing as it was) and at the same time dismiss the Brazilian display? Is'nt that the exact same thing?

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hey thank you guys for discusing comments...well Stanely i said it's not only about Christianity and Protenstantism...U have Muslim extremists as well...the way i m thinkig about that is is the football field which units different religions and culture but should it be the way of provocatin...i think it should be kept from football field...to remember the cup was in South Africa and to that ppl wearing that T-Shirts should be provocative...In the other hand it's to me more political act...Cuzz Kaka is going to be Protestant priest...Yes, Brasilians are religious but do they all really think the same...Are all Brasilian so religious to wear the T-shirts with same labels???

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I started to notice the proliferation of the "athletes of Christ" there by the end of the 90th, and these evangelical churches are a plague that has grown tremendously in Brazil. Kaka`s church called Renascer em Cristo, whose leaders are arrested in the U.S. for tax evasion. I don´t know if Kaka will became a priest but he really believes in this story as many other superstitious people. I doubt that FIFA would do something against it, would be a political disaster. Religious beliefs have been a problem in several areas at least in football they are off the game, after the match they can celebrate Jesus, Fairy, Nike or their wives.Football and politics go together for better or for worse. The Iranian green bands are a recent example (brave for me too, Idan) but we can enumerate a myriad of situations in the past... Dynamo Kyiv in 1942 at the dead match against the Nazis... The Argentinos Juniors team born in tribute to the workers of Chicago anarchists of the May 1st... Football War between Honduras and El Salvador in 1969... Brazilian dictators and the 70`s seleção... Argentina military regime and 78WC... Pinochet and Colo-Colo... Barcelona and Euskadi in opposition to Real Madrid / Franco ... Milan and Berlusconi... the special taste of those Maradona goals against England in 86 goes beyond football, it´s politic and sounds better for it. Turning to religion, there is also a church created in devotion to Maradona in Argentina. The fact is, when the ball is rolling nobody cares about this little things.

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@Idan: The Iranians tried to support their opposition. It was a one time event. While we would like to think that we can separate between politics and sport, this might never be absolutely possible. Brazil and especially Kaka are trying to spread the word of a certain religion. While this is harmless, it might also offend other minorities. It is very different.

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Mani I agree with you! Well I said it's nothing up to player's individual views, it's up to collective views...I think FIFA should do something to separate this two terms...if Brazil wanted to send some kind of message they could do that on any other event, far from football grounds...The cup was in South Africa and it could maybe offend African ppl.

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problem is, no-one in authority is going to say to Kaka, "Don't express your love of Jesus on the football pitch." Because Christianity is so huge they'll be uproar, however if some player from Cuba or Venezuela were to score in the World Cup and take off their kit to display a white T-shirt promoting Communism/ Socialism you can bet he'd be told quick-time that he's not allowed to do that. It's hypocrisy. You may say that one is an ideaology and the other a religion, but in my eyes religion is an ideaology, and it brainwashes young people from an early age. I would like to say it should be banned, but then where would you draw the line? The Iranian display was called for, it was a shout out against injustice. This is a very interesting debate, congratulations and thanks Elma

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That`s the point, Ricki, in the case of religion who will set the limits? In the 90`s Romario used celebrate his goals displaying social and political messages with under shirts as it was during the game FIFA prohibited without major problems. Today I read a journalist in the Brazilian press suggesting that the CBF prohibit religious messages of those players, it`s not only a faith question it´s about a lot of money. Than the huge value of the tithe, Kaka use his position to do advertising for criminal business. I agree with your suggestion and I think that is feasible, let´s see if FIFA will do something about this.

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You`re right Elma, in fact just today I saw the picture of the collective prayer and also seemed bizarre to me. I hope FIFA can put a limit for it but I still think complicated by controversy that can generate. The religious take as offensive any control over their expressions of faith, then will the Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons, Protestants and company together in the same team against FIFA. If there is still controversy about a real issue such the problem of games in high altitudes, on trying to regulate religious practices is much more complicated. But who Knows, it´s just my atheist opinion.

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Well Elma, the most important is that football was in the 1st plan during all the match, the game was better than some WC finals. In fact I don`t care about after game celebration unless when I am one of the guests. Kisses from sunny-sunny Rio.

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I only support Flamengo, when are other times I hope the better game and in that match the both sides was great. What kind of African people? I think there are so many different people and I believe the mostly do not care and finally the game fans share the same faith, football is first and foremost.

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So no problem, they certainly respect other expressions of faith.

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I agree with you and believe that FIFA also think so, but the question still is: FIFA will have the courage to face this controversy? I would like to believe but something similar happened in 2002 and nothing has been done. That faith celebration also offends many Brazilians. Among other beliefs, African culture have much influence in Brazilian religion(Candomblé, Umbanda) and may have been embarrassing even to some players who participated in that sad circle. The worst of some evangelical groups, such as Kaka staff, is want catechize all around.

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"the question still is: FIFA will have the courage to face this controversy?" In my opinion,...NO CHANCE.

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God is a Villa fan!

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So is Satan !

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