Jesus Christ Silver Stars

As a fan of the WNBA, I am in the minority in Arkansas. So, I've joined a couple of message boards on-line so I can read, discuss, debate and just talk about the league with other people who enjoy it.
The discussions are all over the board as far as topics. But, one that started yesterday really got me interested, although I have yet to participate.
On these boards, the San Antonio Silver Stars are one of the more disliked teams in the league. Some of that is because a number of their players tout themselves as born again Christians. Ruth Riley does incredible missionary work in Africa. Erin Buescher transferred from a perennial top 25 college program to a Division III school because of her religious beliefs. San Antonio's top draft pick this year was from Liberty. It's no secret these are the types of players the organization covets.
That's one reason a lot of their critics have touted the team as the Jesus Christ Silver Stars.
Obviously, raised in the Bible Belt, I was surprised to see so many anti-Christian views. These folks really hate this team.
To each his own.
Anyway, another religious player is New York's Sidney Spencer. The former Tennessee product signs her autograph with Bible verses. This enraged a New York fan, who said she should be traded to the Jesus Christ Silver Stars.
Another fan asked Spencer for an autograph. Spencer wrote her name and was in the process of adding a Bible verse when the fan admitted trying to rip the t-shirt away from her. She didn't and Spencer added the Bible verse, as she always does.
But, the fan hates the player now for putting the Bible verse under her autograph.
How do you ask someone for an autograph and then complain because you don't like how they signed it?
The critics of Spencer and the Silver Stars claim they are shoving their beliefs down others throats. How is that?
She puts a verse under her name. She doesn't even write the verse out. She simply puts, for example: John 3:16. If you want to know what the verse says, you still have to get a Bible and look it up. How is that shoving her beliefs down your throat?
Becky Hammon of the Silver Stars was criticized when she talked about God guiding her footsteps throughout her career. What's wrong with that? San Antonio's Shanna (Zolman) Crossley has also been ridiculed for being an outspoken Christian.
"I don't want to be preached to," says one critic.
Fact is, they're not preaching. When asked a question, they give an honest answer.
When Hammon was asked how she got through the playing for Russia controversy last year, she credited her faith in God. How is that wrong?
I'm a big fan of the Silver Stars and not at all because of their religious beliefs. That's their business. If they want to share it, that's fine. I don't have to listen if I don't want to. I like the team because of the way they play.
Becky Hammon was my favorite player before I knew anything about her religious beliefs. Vickie Johnson has always been one of my favorite players and I just found out she's very religious also.
What their religion has to do with basketball is beyond me.
It's amazing what some people will gripe about. Fans criticize NBA players because of their perceived sex, drugs and hip hop lifestyle. NBA players are notorious for not giving fans the time of day.
Now, fans criticize WNBA players because they believe in God, read the Bible, put on basketball camps and clinics for under-priviledged kids, do missionary work and, basically, give too much of themselves to the fans who support them.
Wow! Professional athletes can't win for losing.
Go Silver Stars!