TLT Explains

College Football Season Opens With Expressions of Faith

By The Liberty Tribune Staff

Published: 9/17/2025 · Updated: 9/17/2025 · 5 min read

The 2025 college football season began with standout games and players like LSU's Garrett Nussmeier expressing their Christian faith.

What's happening

College Football Season Opens With Expressions of Faith — The call for Christians to build cathedrals has sparked debate, particularly in light of criticisms from figures such as Joyce Carol Oates. Oates recently expressed her discontent with the Cologne Cathedral, which took over 600 years to complete and was once the tallest building in the world. She questioned the relevance of such architecture to modern Christianity, suggesting it strays from the simplicity of Christ's teachings. Oates stated, 'whatever such architecture meant at that time... can only be speculated by us today.' She implied that the grandeur of such structures is at odds with the humility of Jesus' message. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move However, proponents argue that cathedrals serve as vital monuments to Jesus Christ, embodying the faith's grandeur and complexity. The biblical portrayal of Jesus is not merely that of a humble teacher but includes elements of divine authority and moral urgency. As articulated in previous discussions, the Jesus of the Gospels is a figure who warns of judgment and calls for a deep commitment to faith. This perspective suggests that cathedrals are not just memorials but are significant expressions of worship and reverence. While it is true that not all congregations can afford to build grand cathedrals, the argument remains that when possible, churches should strive for beauty in their architecture. Stroud and New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields both publicly expressed their Christian faith following their respective victories in NFL Week 8.

What's at stake

Stroud led the Texans to a 26-15 win over the San Francisco 49ers, while Fields guided the Jets to a dramatic 39-38 upset against the Cincinnati Bengals. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move In a postgame interview, Stroud emphasized his faith, stating, "Without Him, I’m nothing. I’m a broken, wretched, sinful man, and He saved me time and time again." He attributed the Texans' offensive success, which included nearly 500 yards, to his confidence in God. Stroud has consistently used his platform to share his beliefs, making faith a central theme in his public persona. Fields, who faced uncertainty about his starting position after being benched in the previous game, also spoke candidly about his faith. He described a moment of vulnerability leading up to the game, saying, "It’s been a lot for me, emotionally, spiritually. When I was on the field, I was damn near about to start crying. But not because we won, but just because of the goodness of God." The Jets' victory marked their first win of the season, and Fields highlighted the role of faith in overcoming challenges. A new report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, known as Intersociety, highlights a severe crisis in Nigeria, where jihadist groups are reportedly destroying approximately 100 churches each month.

Since the onset of Boko Haram's insurgency in 2009, an estimated 19,100 churches have been attacked, burned, or forcibly shut down. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move The violence against Christians in Nigeria is characterized as a systematic assault rather than mere local disputes. Intersociety's findings indicate that since 2009, jihadist violence has claimed the lives of 185,000 Nigerians, with more than two-thirds of the victims being Christians. The historical context about the potential for similar outcomes as seen in other countries where Christian populations have faced persecution. The United States, as a global leader, is urged to take action against countries like Nigeria that allow such atrocities to occur. During his presidency, Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, a designation that was reversed by President Biden despite the . In the first 220 days of this year alone, over 7,000 Christians were reportedly killed, averaging 32 deaths per day. Many others have been abducted, including pastors and targeted for ransom or forced conversion. The groups responsible for this violence include Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa, and armed Fulani militants, who have transformed entire regions into sites of violence, displacing Christian communities. What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: Why Christians Should Build Cathedrals. The coverage highlights: Finland's Supreme Court Considers Bible Quoting as Hate Speech. The coverage highlights: NFL Quarterbacks Highlight Faith in Week 8. The coverage highlights: Amid The Genocide Of Nigerian Christians, Congress Must Act. The coverage highlights: Concordia University Wisconsin Gives Christian Colleges A Bad Name. The coverage highlights: Debate Erupts Over Charlie Kirk's Legacy Following His Death.

Key facts & context

2025-11-18: Why Christians Should Build Cathedrals. 2025-10-30: Finland's Supreme Court Considers Bible Quoting as Hate Speech. 2025-10-27: NFL Quarterbacks Highlight Faith in Week 8. 2025-10-15: Amid The Genocide Of Nigerian Christians, Congress Must Act. 2025-10-08: Concordia University Wisconsin Gives Christian Colleges A Bad Name. 2025-10-06: Debate Erupts Over Charlie Kirk's Legacy Following His Death. 2025-09-23: Charlie Kirk’s Death Is Filling Churches Across The Country. 2025-09-22: Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk Sparks Interest in Christianity. 2025-09-22: Over 100 Million Witness Gospel Message at Charlie Kirk Memorial. 2025-09-15: Charlie Kirk's Legacy Sparks Debate on Christian Engagement.

Timeline & key developments

Primary sources

Www.neh — neh.gov