Sabbath or Gymnastics

At just seven years old, Amalya Knapp has already felt the sting of keeping a different holy day.

Amalya is a gymnast, as well as an Orthodox Jew, that was trying to compete in the New Jersey state competition. When the competition was held on Saturday, Amalya was devastated to find that she wouldn’t be able to perform.

This year’s USA Gymnastics competition was held on two days, Saturday and Sunday. Since the Knapps observe a strict Sabbath, they knew that Amalya would not be able to go to any of the competition held on Saturday.

Despite her ability, Amalya was only able to score in the events that were held on Sunday which meant that her scores were not comprehensive enough to make the final ceremonies. However, she scored well enough that she was able to make fifth place, and was honored on paper, if not in the ceremony.

Her mother, Chavie, said their family was not bitter that they had to forego some competitions due to their religious observance of the Sabbath, but she knew it meant a lot to Amalya to compete.

The Knapp family’s struggle with compliance has aroused much debate and has even spurred Assemblyman Gary Schaer to join the cause for the young gymnast.

Although it might seem like Amalya is the victim of religious intolerance, this could just be evidence that there is more and more apathy toward religion.

Rather than open oppression, the Knapps feel as though they, and their religion, are being squeezed out of an increasingly secular world.

Especially in the world of athletics, there seems to be less and less room for religion, no matter which one you subscribe to.

Thanks to this 7 year old New Jersey native, we can all see how indifferent toward religion the world of athletics has become.