Are you out of your mind? The challenge and benefits of self-acceptance: Christian and Buddhist perspectives

Abstract

Mental health issues continue to beset sportsmen and women. This article explores the challenge of self-acceptance in relation to sexual identity and orientation within the footballing world. With reference to John Donnelly’s play The Pass it suggests that, largely due to personal, financial, social and media pressures, some professional athletes not only succumb to living up to the image others create for them, but more dangerously, begin to believe that image is real and do everything in their power to hold on to this self-deception. This simulacrum has a severe impact on their mental and physical health and creates what Merton refers to as ‘spiritual death’, leaving victims lonely and desolate, unable to form meaningful relationships. Primarily drawing from key theological/spiritual, sociological, philosophical and literary texts and, without ever implying a moral judgement on those who wrestle with this difficult issue, we illuminate the phenomenon of self-delusion from Christian and Buddhist perspectives in the hope that it might highlight some of its ensuing dangers.