The Decline of Civility and the Rise of Religion in American Sport.

Discusses the decline of sympathy and civility and the rise of self-absorption and meanness in U.S. culture, noting that even sports tutor incivility. The paper examines lowered expectations and the cult of authenticity in sport, and it investigates religion as a counterforce to help restructure sport and restore some sense of balance between self-interest and sympathy. (SM)