Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov in a Jan. 11 home game against the Washington Capitals.
Photo:
Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports
American pluralism is a glorious thing. Dedication to shared ideals and the commitment to living peacefully among compatriots of all colors and creeds can bring out the best in us. It unites people of all religions, national origins and other historical sources of division in defending our aspirations to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Yet that pluralism is in peril today, compelling me, an American Orthodox Jew, to defend
Ivan Provorov,
a Russian Orthodox Christian and professional hockey player. Mr. Provorov, a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers, has come under fire for refusing to wear a “Pride Night” jersey bearing the rainbow flag or use a rainbow-taped hockey stick during warm-ups before the team’s game on Tuesday.
Mr. Provorov told reporters he declined to participate “to stay true to myself and my religion.” He added, “I respect everyone. I respect everybody’s choices.”
When a die-hard New York Rangers fan is roused to defend a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, something is wrong indeed. Hockey rivalries aside, there is a bitter irony to religious people of all backgrounds and loyalties having to play defense for a fundamental principle of free societies: that no one should be forced to show support for a cause that violates his conscience. This is true whether or not the person is motivated by religion. A nation committed to religious liberty shouldn’t descend into antireligious—or in this case, anti-Christian—fervor.
Pride Night is part of the National Hockey League’s “Hockey Is for Everyone” campaign. The NHL is engaged in race-, gender- and sexuality-based outreach in seemingly unassailable terms: All are welcome. But as religious Americans are aware, this seldom is the meaning. A message of ostensible tolerance—be whoever you want to be and live your…
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