The channel launched an advertisement campaign celebrating the return of First League Soccer to its programs with the slogan “Your prayers have been answered”.

Alfred Buss, leader of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, regards the campaign as blasphemous. During a visit to the evangelical news agency “idea” in Wetzlar, August 22, he voiced his concern about a “cheap commercialization” of faith elements in football.

60-year-old Buss plays soccer himself as a goalkeeper. He also watches matches and supports chapels in soccer arenas in Gelsenkirchen, Frankfurt and Berlin. But, he emphasized, these locations were meant to worship God and not idols.

The church should always make it clear that chapels are not magic places to bring success to the home team. As far as the chapel in Gelsenkirchen – home of soccer club Schalke 04 – is concerned he could vouch for a “clear spiritual purpose”, said Buss.

The chapel is used for prayer and devotion, baptisms and weddings. The main line Westphalian church has 2.6 million members.

© ASSIST NEWS