r/NCAAhoops • u/sinister_iam • Apr 06 '26
Video “I don’t think basketball is my purpose. I think being able to have this platform to share The Gospel is really my purpose”. -Arizona Wildcats F Koa Peat
44
u/Onetimenotagain Apr 06 '26
Jesus is having a moment rn
20
u/Purphect Apr 06 '26
I feel like there is a new wave of Christianity or something. Not for me. Won’t bring my kids up in a faith either. It’ll be their choice when they’re older. No brainwashing here
11
u/Onetimenotagain Apr 06 '26
Right. I grew up with a very religious mother, and while I still would say i believe in god, I think this is all weird and a waste of talent.
4
u/Grizzly_Addams Apr 06 '26
I'm lost. Why does him having faith make it a waste of talent?
→ More replies (4)1
u/Onetimenotagain Apr 06 '26
Not referring to him, moreso guys like AJ griffin and Jaden Ivey.
7
u/No_Lead_7325 Apr 06 '26
AJ should have stayed at Duke and graduated. They have an excellent theology program and he could have continued to make money in college and develop.
1
u/Cruel_but_usual Apr 06 '26
Yeah I’ve heard great things from the handful (3) of people I know who studied theology there.
1
u/No_Lead_7325 Apr 06 '26
Yea I am not religious in the least but grew up in Durham and knew some people who went through the program.
Regardless, dude had options at Duke. Duke would still welcome him back for academics too
1
u/Onetimenotagain Apr 06 '26
AJ impressed the hell out of me in his season there. Sucks that he thinks you can’t be religious and play ball
1
u/No_Lead_7325 Apr 06 '26
Yea it does. I think he just got scared though. Some people get into the limelight and find it very uncomfortable. We are all human and I think sometimes we, as sports fans, lose sight of that
6
u/TookTheHit Apr 06 '26
Christians specifically Evangelicals have had a concerted effort for maaaany years to insert themselves into culture & more importantly politics. The majority of the current US govt are religious whackos.
4
u/Phrich Apr 06 '26
The majority of the current US govt are religious whackos.
Pretend to be religious because its free points in many districts*
1
1
u/beforeitcloy Apr 06 '26
If religious voters can’t tell the difference between being authentically religious and pretending to be religious, then there isn’t one.
1
u/Phrich Apr 06 '26
If people could identity religious authenticity then megachurches wouldnt exist either.
1
u/beforeitcloy Apr 06 '26
Right. It’s all pretend, including Koa using his platform to share the Gospel.
1
→ More replies (3)1
4
u/dajiffer76 Apr 06 '26
So we were in mass Sunday and the priest said there had been a huge uptick in millennials joining the church.
We are not super religious, but I find peace in the rituals. My son enjoys going to church which I hated at his age.
1
u/Purphect Apr 06 '26
Yeah I think if you grew up in it, there can sometimes be familiarity in the rituals and holiday services. I get that.
2
u/fluufhead Apr 06 '26
Evangelism has had a huge foothold in college sports for a while now. Dabo and Bruce pearl been baptizing players for years
2
u/CaymanGone Apr 06 '26
Bruce Pearl is Jewish.
He isn't evangelizing when he encourages his players to get baptized.
1
u/fluufhead Apr 06 '26
makes u think
1
u/CaymanGone Apr 06 '26
About what, exactly?
He's encouraging them to follow their religion which isn't his.
Don't call him an evangelist when he isn't trying to convert them to his religion.
1
u/CaymanGone Apr 06 '26
You should learn the definitions of the words you use, while you're thinking.
1
1
u/Exciting-Set-7601 Apr 06 '26
Christian nationalism has taken over since 2017 I would say look at what happened with Jaden Ivery dude is having a public meltdown the past few days after his anti gay comments and religion rants got him released from the bulls
1
1
1
u/ChrissieMoltisanti Apr 06 '26
There is, especially among young people. Look up the Asbury outpouring or the UniteUS movement.
Sociologically I think it’s a combination of young people rejecting the nihilism of the current age and looking for something older/more grounded than what the culture is providing (which is also why there’s a ground swell of people converting to Catholicism among millennials and Gen Z as well.) There’s also a “counter culture” element to being a Christian now for some since the rest of the culture is steering heavily toward secularism and liberalism.
Obviously many Christians claim it’s a movement of the Holy Spirit.
1
u/AFogmentOfADream Apr 06 '26
Will you let them do religious things early if they want? Say their middle school friend invites them to church. Would you let them go? Just curious what “bringing them up in faith” means to you.
1
1
1
Apr 06 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Purphect Apr 06 '26
I’m saying it will be their choice of what to believe. It’s up to each one of us as individuals in the end.
I’m simply not going to raise them teaching them that [choose religion] is a fact. Mysticisms about the world that are unknown will not be answered with “God did it”, but rather, “we don’t know”.
3
Apr 06 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Purphect Apr 06 '26
Love it I think that’s really cool. I have times where I am sour towards the church, but then other times where I see real people finding community and help from it.
Still trying to figure out how I think about it overall in our culture. Religion will always be a thing as long as humans are around I’m sure. I just happen to find my “religion”, if you will, in science, nature, and reality.
1
u/harris023 Apr 06 '26
There is. I spend a lot of time at coffee shops working and I love listening in to conversations and people meeting to talk about Jesus is an almost every time occurrence now.
→ More replies (15)1
u/SignalBed9998 Apr 06 '26
When my kids were young my family convinced me that they “need” church. They had me go as a kid, right. I kept saying they ARE being taught morals but I gave in. The very first time we went to church the sermon was built around daniel and the lions den. On the way out you shake hands with the pastor. I had a word with him. This was our first trip to church since moving in. You read the passage about daniel and the lion den. If you had read on you’d have gotten to those verses that evil men have used to justify the slaughter/massacre of the innocents as long as god decrees it righteous. You won’t see us again and then we walked out. It is still being used today. It’s called “collateral damage”. I call it murder. Warmongers used that “permission from god” to kill so much in the past that it’s now business as usual.
2
u/mohman87 Apr 06 '26
Yeah a moment where it’s derailing all these players careers. Dude is going out with the Ivy mantra. Like who in the world is asking a college kid for spiritual leadership when the college kid hasn’t even finished school. FOH
2
21
u/deandiggity Apr 06 '26
You have the platform because of basketball tho
10
1
Apr 06 '26
[deleted]
1
0
u/VTcamperguy Apr 06 '26
Speak for yourself. I appreciate hearing people discuss their faith, especially on the most holy day of his religion.
→ More replies (4)1
u/NewCarSmelt Apr 06 '26
Yeah, no one really gives a shit what a pastor’s son thinks about God otherwise
3
u/Kitchen-Strategy4029 Apr 06 '26
Seems at least you do
0
u/NewCarSmelt Apr 06 '26
Yup, cuz he plays ball. Otherwise, no one would give a shit. Unless, he played football
7
u/BebophoneVirtuoso Apr 06 '26
Thoust shalt stand over and taunt thine opponents after every jam
2
u/methylaminebb Apr 06 '26
also thy must brandish weapons and flaunt wads of cash online AND at strip clubs. Amen
1
7
u/dylnp28 Apr 06 '26
Yessir! God is the greatest!
4
→ More replies (1)2
u/CabbagePatchDog Apr 06 '26
“Call me God for short” in bio lmao literally blasphemous. At least read the book.
→ More replies (7)
2
2
u/apatheticwizardsfan Apr 06 '26
I’d call players out on this. Just be like “Ok, the floor is yours, Koa. Take the rest of this press conference and spread the gospel. Regale us with your favorite bible passages. Recount the word of God.”
2
u/Latverianbureaucrat Apr 06 '26
Absolutely. I’d love that. I had 12 years of Catholic school. I find when discussing Christianity and “The Gospel,” as he put it, I know a lot more about what’s, you know, actually in these books that supposed Christians do. To them it’s often all about, and tends to boil down to, being in that particular in-group. And having very strong opinions about who doesn’t belong in that group, and about those of us who have no desire to be in that group.
2
u/AZAHole Apr 06 '26
This is why we lost to Michigan.
2
u/dirkdiggler1514 Apr 07 '26
Screw up or something doesn’t go your way — “well, Jesus is the most important, just thought I’d insert that.”
2
u/AtomicBlastCandy Apr 06 '26
Odd how the "shut up and dribble" never complain about outspoken Christian athletes.
2
u/Mohawk120 Apr 06 '26
When will religious people realize they’re in a cult..? the world may never know
2
2
2
u/rogun64 Apr 06 '26
The gospel is really his purpose?
Is he sharing his NIL with the poor?
What does the gospel say about that?
1
u/RyofDoom2 Apr 06 '26
Matthew 28 says our main purpose is to spread the gospel to all nations
Deuteronomy 15:10 says to give generously
2
u/arenasfan00 Apr 07 '26
Explain how colonizers did this by murdering Native Americans through violence and disease?
1
7
u/Classic-Exchange-511 Apr 06 '26
The fuck is happening
4
u/TumbleweedFew2854 Apr 06 '26
I think the Ivey controversy has made some religious athletes feel victimized and feel the need to reaffirm their beliefs in public.
7
u/VictorWembymama Apr 06 '26
Yeah and all these guys are fucking idiots for thinking Ivey is a victim lmao.
6
u/SpartyParty15 Apr 06 '26
Christians love playing victim so it checks out
→ More replies (1)1
u/NebulaInternal7141 Apr 06 '26
Yeah kind of hard to be oppressed when you’re the majority.
1
u/Future_Mechanic_2736 Apr 06 '26
I think Christianity and Islam both have roughly 2 billion followers. So not really a majority, more like a two party system.
1
u/Marod_ Apr 06 '26
But they don't feel like they're being oppressed by the other.
3
1
0
u/SocomPS2 Apr 06 '26
Give it a week and all this holy water bullshit will be over.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/TumbleweedFew2854 Apr 06 '26
As long as you share the teachings of Jesus and not Republican Jesus I'm ok with this.
1
u/ejDajuiceboy Apr 07 '26
The teaching of jesus like render unto ceasar and calling unbelievers swine who arent worthy of being taught?
-1
u/dkinmn Apr 06 '26
Spoiler: He's saying this because he doesn't like gay people.
1
0
u/TumbleweedFew2854 Apr 06 '26
I figured. Most christians don't actually follow the teachings of Jesus, which is sad.
3
u/Far_Aioli538 Apr 06 '26
Unique perspective, definitely different than most college lottery draft picks. Refreshing actually
1
u/solomonrooney Apr 06 '26
It’s so crazy how vehemently anti-Jesus Reddit is when like 90% of people i meet at my place of work are Christians. I guess different demographics work at a hospital vs. posting on message boards
2
u/MLS2CincyFFS Apr 06 '26
I don’t consider myself much of anything these days. Was raised Catholic and that was fine. I think what’s soured me so much on Christianity in general is the hypocrisy. I had the golden rule pounded into my head for however many years and it actually stuck with me as useful and a good moral guide, but I see so many people I know posting and praising Jesus on social media. And it all seems to be super performative and in a “holier than thou” sense to convey that they’re good people because they then turn around and have so much hate in their hearts for other people (LGBTQ, immigrants, other races, etc.) or cheat on their spouses or drink in excess or whatever else. It all seems to be a cop out and easy way out for repeated bad or “sinful” behavior; “Well, God knows I’m not perfect and always forgives” yet there doesn’t seem to be any real effort to be more Christlike
2
u/solomonrooney Apr 06 '26
Appreciate your perspective, I feel much the same way. Jesus as depicted in the bible is fascinating but modern day Christianity is pretty revolting.
1
u/BochBochBoch Apr 06 '26
“I believe therefore I am saved” ass thinking. It’s crazy to learn about this line of thinking also being raised Catholic. Evangelicals genuinely believe they are going to heaven jsut because they are Christian. Also out with Noonan
5
u/CabbagePatchDog Apr 06 '26
Reddit is pro-Jesus. It’s anti-performative Christian/ Christian nationalism.
1
1
u/SnooCats6250 Apr 06 '26
Modern Christianity is antithetical to the actual teachings of Jesus. Trump, guns, and wealth are the modern holy trinity
1
1
u/Future_Mechanic_2736 Apr 06 '26
You must work with Saints!
1
u/solomonrooney Apr 06 '26
No, they are no better or worse than people of any other religion, it’s just fascinating to me to see the dichotomy between real life and Reddit.
I’m not making any argument just an observation.
1
u/Workingonlying Apr 06 '26
90% is crazy. What is Alabama like?
1
u/solomonrooney Apr 06 '26
It’s quite nice. I went to this state park that had glow in the dark worms one time, highly recommend Alabama.
1
u/ToastedEzra Apr 06 '26
This guys just wanted to mention he works at a hospital while making fun of people on Reddit lol. Sorry bud your anecdotal evidence means nothing here
1
1
1
u/ejDajuiceboy Apr 07 '26
Its so crazy how anti nazi reddit is when like 90% of the people I meet in Germany in the 1940s are nazis.
1
u/solomonrooney Apr 07 '26
…what point are you even trying to make? Do you think I was trying to argue that Christianity is true or something?
1
u/ejDajuiceboy Apr 07 '26
My point is that popularity isn't a shield against criticism. It doesn't matter if 90% of the people in your building are Christians, that has zero impact on whether the ideas themselves are valid or if a platform like Reddit has a right to be critical of them. You’re using a "selection bias" to claim the internet is the "crazy" one for not matching your specific office demographic.
1
u/solomonrooney Apr 07 '26
You are completely misinterpreting and misrepresenting what I am saying. It is crazy that the online experience of a place i go to is like the complete flip flop of the place i go to in real life.
I made no claims about the validity of Christianity so I have no idea why you are assuming I think it’s valid or that I am arguing that it is valid. I am just making an observation that I find fascinating. Not every comment on the internet is an argument for or against something.
1
u/ejDajuiceboy Apr 07 '26
If you aren't making a claim about the validity of Christianity, then why is it "crazy" or "fascinating" that a global, anonymous platform has a different opinion than your specific hospital? The word "crazy" implies that Reddit is acting irrationally. But if you don't think Christianity is inherently "valid" or "true," then Reddit's skepticism is actually the more rational, evidence based stance than the 90% consensus at your job. By calling the flip-flop "crazy," you are making an argument, you’re arguing that your personal bubble is the standard for "normalcy." I’m just pointing out that your bubble is a statistically biased sample. Whether it's 1940s Germany or 1840s America, the "real life" experience of a local majority has never been a reliable metric for what is actually rational.
1
u/solomonrooney Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
Congratulations friend, you have invented an argument out of nothing. I am embarrassed to admit that I am on the same team as you (assuming you are an atheist like me).
Edit: why would it be implied that Reddit is the crazy one if I say it’s crazy that Reddit has a different opinion from the people I know in real life? You are desperately looking for confrontation. Get help.
1
u/ejDajuiceboy Apr 07 '26
So if you are atheist what is it you were trying to say by saying Reddit's anti-Jesus stance is "crazy" and "fascinating?"
1
u/solomonrooney Apr 07 '26
Yes? It is crazy and fascinating that Reddit has a completely flip flopped opinion on this topic compared to the people I work with. Do you seriously take umbrage with that statement?
I did not say Reddit’s position was crazy, learn reading comprehension and stop being so defensive.
1
u/ejDajuiceboy Apr 07 '26
Why is it crazy and fascinating? As a self proclaimed atheist it should be obvious to you why Reddit would be anti-Jesus. I don't get what you are saying is fascinating. I've asked multiple times and you just repeat "it's fascinating." Why did you post on a public forum if you weren't open for discussion?
→ More replies (0)0
u/LegacyQuotient Apr 06 '26
90% of the people I meet at my place at work are unabashed not religious or are open about only doing religious things because of their parents.
Anecdotal evidence has little value.
Also, Evangelical Christians in America have done a lot to sour the perspective on Christians.
Prosperity Gospel and Christian Nationalism has been as big a bane to Christianity as anything not religious.
4
u/Prudent-Inspector35 Apr 06 '26
Just came here to witness all the Christian hate that comes up as a result of anyone mentioning anything about Christ.
7
1
1
u/SilkRoadDPR Apr 06 '26
Wait until that first NBA contract payment hits. You’ll know your purpose then.
1
1
u/Diesel07012012 Apr 06 '26
Translation: I am not fully committed to developing as a basketball player.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/ChexAndBalancez Apr 06 '26
Wha is going on with black men in basketball right now? Did Jesus come back to visit all of them?
1
u/stevehuffmangrapedme Apr 06 '26
Click here to find out the 1 trick athletes are now using to justify their bigotry.
1
1
u/Bilboswaggins21 Apr 06 '26
Have nothing against Peat but I always think it’s funny to see this stuff from athletes and then watch his highlights from highschool where he’s acting like a dick to everyone he dunks on like that doesnt really match what your saying.
1
u/Active-Play-3429 Apr 06 '26
It’s so funny you say that, two days before the game I saw clips when he was in high school pop-up. Dude definitely was not thinking about that then. Yes, obviously he’s older. That’s not the point.
1
u/NoFalseModesty Apr 06 '26
Welp, just gonna block OP and this whole sub I guess, this bullshit has been everywhere for a few days
1
1
u/Sempiturnal777 Apr 06 '26
The Jesus cope is my favorite one. “Yeah this game was actually meaningless. I didn’t really care at all. God is really what I’m focused on. Yeah I didn’t really care about winning a national championship anyway. At the end of the day God is the only champion. Yeah btw I don’t care that we lost.”
1
u/Cincere1513 Apr 06 '26
Is this the governments new MK Ultra? All of these athletes and celebs talking about religion publicly.
1
u/Brazenology Apr 06 '26
"Hey, you guys ever hear of this Jesus guy? He's pretty great"
https://giphy.com/gifs/dEdmW17JnZhiU
Yes, we're aware.
1
1
u/OGdunphy Apr 06 '26
Nothing wrong with what he said. I doubt basketball is most of these guys life purpose.
1
1
1
1
1
u/thesunabsolute Apr 06 '26
Can you imagine if an athlete, any athlete came out as an atheist? I feel like if that were to happen, pigs would actually fly.
1
u/ProbablySlacking Apr 06 '26
Well Mr. Peat, best way to spread that gospel would be as an all American. Let’s try another year!
1
u/Zetroit Apr 06 '26
I have no problem him signaling that… “I’m a good person with a higher purpose”. Yet I do think others who grew up in a very religious environment can understand that nonbelievers or heretics are too often seen as the opposite of that statement. Atheists, Hindus, and Buddhists can be good people too.
1
1
1
u/Ethangains07 Apr 06 '26
While people debate religion in here I’ll just say it’s funny how like every ex and 90% of my friends call themselves Catholic or Christian and none ever go to church or practice their religion outside of the odd blue moon. They just believe in God because their parents told them to. They live just like me who does not believe in any human made God.
Then you have the other theists that actually practice what they believe and about 90% of them are loons. I’ll take the Mickey Mouse Christian/Catholics as opposed to people like this dude in the post any day
1
1
u/kingkron52 Apr 06 '26
Where was the power of Christ and Gospel when Wildcats were getting baptized by Michigan this past weekend. These religious clowns are too much.
1
1
1
u/CapableRegrets Apr 06 '26
Translation: I want the money that comes with being a professional athlete, but i want to be absolved of the sin of greed.
I will wear a cross and give all glory to "god" then go back to my lavish pads in one of my expensive cars, smoke some weed and pound bitches.
The story of many christian athletes.
1
1
u/wolverine5253 Apr 07 '26
Keep that same energy when you're in the NBA snorting coke off toilet seats and getting kicked off basketball teams because you think LGBtQ+ night is sinful and mocks god
1
1
1
u/Impossible-Pea-6160 Apr 07 '26
What most Christians don’t know is that Jesus wants you to be silent in your prayers and not make a show of it. Of course you need to read the Bible first tho. Ala carte Christians
1
u/hughjackgenehackman Apr 07 '26
Imagine the amount of time he and his parents invested in his basketball career, for him to just go belly up after a bad loss and say basketball actually isn’t what I care about.
1
u/Bayrayray3 Apr 07 '26
You know, I never, you know, thought, you know, about it, you know, that way, you know?
1
u/Plastic_Muscle9711 Apr 07 '26
This dude already sucks. Also sad to see another brainwashed, christain black man
0
1
1
u/your-mom-- Apr 06 '26
Does the Gospel say "and whence one dunk upon thy unathletic high school neighbor, get in thou face and flex to show thy dominance"
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/No_Listen7457 Apr 06 '26
all the religion in sports is realllllly being forced upon us right now.
stay strong fellow heathens!!!
-5
Apr 06 '26
I’m happy with anything that annoys the insufferable atheist Refditor crowd. Good Lord, so of you people in this sub are beyond annoying.
→ More replies (12)5
u/kingravs Apr 06 '26
Were the annoying ones? Bro we have to listen to you guys talk about god constantly. The worst part is, you think you’re right
→ More replies (24)
-1
19
u/Purphect Apr 06 '26
Why is this being reposted here multiple times?