In the name of God
The first statement is rather predictable, as anyone involved in the world of sports does not neglect to invoke heavenly powers. «The championship game with Olympiakos will be judged by God. We will play a serious and disciplined game but the result will depend on God’s will.» These are the words of Sergio Markarian, coach for Panathinaikos – a team which fate wants to endow with players with a bent toward theology; we may remember former PAOK coach Mr Anastasiades, who on the occasion of the Resurrection, prayed that the Thessaloniki team would also be reborn. The second statement is that of a politician who appears to have discovered religion, thanks to his close ties with the devout George W. Bush. «I am ready to meet my maker,» Tony Blair said, «and to apologize for all those who lost their lives as a result of my decisions.» At least the eminent British prime minister acknowledges that thousands of civilians were killed in Iraq, but his haste to excuse himself from the judgment of man and to state compliance exclusively with the law of God («He is the only one who can judge my decisions») does not demonstrate piety but slyness, deceit and also fear that he may find himself under the jurisdiction of some international court. Both statements are ostensibly dictated by a deep faith which, however, would not need to be projected so publicly if it were as deep as it is purported to be.
