One such episode occurred this week in the reliably virtue-touting sports world. The National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers franchise trotted out time-tested corporate symbolism for its “LGBTQ+ Pride Night.” The festivities included rainbow-accented warmup jerseys and sticks, all of which were to be auctioned for the benefit of unspecified DEI charities. It’s all so predictable that it would have passed without notice, except for one thing: Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov committed the ultimate heresy by choosing not to participate.
Citing his Russian Orthodox faith and his decision “to stay true to myself and my religion,” Provorov made a bold stand. It was, at its heart, an act of submission, which is “obedience to God in the innermost depths of man in his mind and in his will.” A Russian national, Provorov has lived in the United States long enough to know he would face severe criticism for his decision. Unlike his countryman Alex Ovechkin, he might be an expendable player in the eyes of his employer. The league undoubtedly will subject him to reeducation. He will be booed at every game.
Fueling these reactions is the very opposite of submission, the religion of self-worship. Consider the vacuous responses of those treated to a platform on the matter.
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