The fact that liberal-democratic countries such as Switzerland and Germany react so strongly to expressions of faith shows just how far secularisation has progressed. That is why I urge Ruben Vargas, Felix Nmecha and others to continue leavening the dough with a faith lived out genuinely.
Front page of the Sonntagsblick in Switzerland, edition of 5 July 2026. / Scanned paper edition.
In a democracy, it should be possible to freely express one’s personal beliefs. Yet tolerance ends where the expression of opinion involves worshipping Jesus as King (after his goal against Curaçao, Felix Nmecha symbolically laid a crown before God to show who his King is). This causes such great consternation amongst journalists in our part of the world that they immediately suspect a network-like conspiracy, in which ultra-religious and probably also homophobic ideas must surely prevail.
From the perspective of Swiss Blick tabloid reporter Fabian Eberhard, organisations such as ‘Fussball mit Vision’ are pursuing dangerous strategies. In last Sunday's edition of SonntagsBlick, he writes: “The growing network is also active off the pitch. It specifically seeks contact with young people in schools, churches and sports clubs. By distributing so-called ‘footballers’ Bibles’ and through meetings with professional players, the aim is to instil faith in young people.” What exactly is supposed to be threatening about this in a democracy, where everyone is free to openly express their personal beliefs, is not explained further.
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German broadcaster ARD followed the same pattern a year ago: the public broadcaster warned on its Tagesschau news programme at the time that some of these ultra-conservative footballers were talking about their faith even in schools. ‘Beware, in some cases this could be a cover for targeted missionary work!’
Very similar ‘framing’ (framing, from the English ‘frame’, refers to the deliberate embedding of a message within a specific framework of meaning. Through the deliberate choice of words, images or emphasis, a framework for interpretation is established that guides our perceptions, emotions and judgements, without the actual facts changing) was used by broadcaster ZDF in the documentary “Likes in the Name of God – How Influencers Promote Free Churches”. In the programme, the Christian rappers ‘O’Bros’ were suspected of being not merely musicians or singing preachers, but ‘part of a network’ dedicated to spreading the reign of God. It was claimed that the O’Bros were influencing the masses and encouraging them to bring Christian values into politics. The same documentary also reported that the O’Bros performed at the same event at which the well-known US preacher Bill Johnson (Bethel Church) had already appeared. And since Johnson had already attracted attention for alleged homophobic remarks in his sermons, it is – according to this journalistic technique of ‘framing’ – perfectly clear that the O’Bros must also have a problem with homosexuality.
Following this logic, Blick also seeks to find fault with the image of national team star Rubén Vargas. He has not, to date, attracted attention with controversial statements about LGBTQ issues or homosexuality. However, he actively shares his faith in public. “In Zurich, he attends sermons at ICF (International Christian Fellowship, in Switzerland). Critics accuse this free church of having cult-like traits and of homophobia. ICF rejects these allegations.” Here, too, it becomes clear how the Blick editorial team uses targeted storytelling to cast Vargas in a problematic light. And thanks to “framing”, he is immediately placed in a dubious light.
Of course, there are also Christian-motivated claims to power and campaigns that warrant critical scrutiny. There are organisations that like to misinterpret the prayer “Thy kingdom come” as a political tool. Here, we should be grateful for the role of the media in exposing such negative developments. Our friends at the Centre for Faith and Society at the University of Fribourg posted an excellent video on their YouTube channel last weekend. This 75-minute discussion podcast, ‘Christians in the media spotlight?! We’ve gathered all the facts’, offers a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into this area of tension.
The central question is how Christians can credibly live out and defend their convictions in the context of their own times. This tension – that we live in the world but are not of the world (John 17:14–16) – has always preoccupied followers of Jesus. That is why reports such as the one in yesterday’s SonntagsBlick come as no surprise to us. So I can only conclude with a word of encouragement to Rubén Vargas, Felix Nmecha & and all the other Christian elite athletes.
We live in a pluralistic society that thrives on everyone contributing their convictions. The fact that liberal-democratic countries such as Switzerland and Germany react so strongly to expressions of faith shows just how far secularisation has progressed. Other countries have far fewer problems accepting the faith of prominent figures alongside other publicly expressed convictions.
That is why I am happy to urge Vargas, Nmecha and the other Christian footballers to continue leavening the dough with a faith lived out genuinely and humbly. As the parable of the leaven in Matthew 13:33 so beautifully illustrates, God’s heavenly kingdom often takes shape in small steps – as when just a little leaven is mixed into a large quantity of flour – in a completely unassuming way. It does not, therefore, happen through might nor through power, but through the Spirit of God (Zechariah 4:6), as 1 Peter 3:15–16 also expresses so beautifully:
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you. But do so with gentleness and respect, always striving to maintain a clear conscience. For if you lead a life worthy of Christ, those who slander you will be put to shame, as their accusations will prove to be groundless” 1 Peter 3:15–16
Florian Wüthrich, journalist and CEO of Livenet in Switzerland. This article was translated and re-published with permission of the author. It appeared originally on Livenet.ch.
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