People that attend sporting events get excited. Sometimes they get rather vocal. They make noise. They cheer or yell for their team or for individuals that they are supporting. In many instances there are designated cheerleaders that stand in front of the crowd to start and/or lead the cheers.

When one cheers, what is he doing? The word "cheer" means "to shout with encouragement or applause" [Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus]. We know of no biblical principle that cheering, in and of itself, would violate. We would, however, add this word of caution. It is out of place to cheer or yell in a manner that is discourteous or rude (1 Peter 3:8). That goes for those who lead cheers as well as for those who "join in."

Our question, though, is not just about cheering. Our specific question is whether or not it is acceptable for a Christian to serve as a cheerleader. In particular we have in mind if it is alright for a child of God to be one of the designated cheerleaders of a school or organization. Though some may think it strange that such a question is even raised, rest assured that there are, indeed, some potential dangers involved in being a school cheerleader.

There are a number of different "tests" that one needs to consider before giving a "yea" or "nay" on this question. Just what "tests" do we have in mind? Please consider:

ü The Language Test – We have heard some yells or cheers that involved language that is crude, suggestive, and vulgar. God tells His children, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth" (Ephesians 4:29). Any activity, including cheerleading, is to be avoided, if it involves inappropriate language.

ü The Commitment Test – In many cases cheerleading squads are expected to practice long hours. Some of the sporting events at which they will lead cheers take place on Sundays or at other times when members of local congregations assemble to worship Jehovah or study His word. If there is a conflict between one’s responsibility to the Lord and one’s obligation to lead cheers, then commitment to God must come first! Jesus’ followers must put His cause above all others (Matthew 6:33), and part of our commitment to Him includes attending the services of the church (Hebrews 10:25). If cheerleading practice or cheering at sporting events will cause a child of God to forsake the assembly of the saints, then cheerleading does not pass the commitment test. [It is conceivable that a person might make arrangements to be excused from practice or cheerleading at games in order to attend the services of the church.]

ü The Clothing Test – It is God’s will that disciples of Jesus dress in a modest fashion with shamefacedness (1 Timothy 2:9). To reveal one’s nakedness is a shame before God. (Revelation 3:18). That is true for both brothers and sisters. Many of the modern cheerleading outfits worn by females don’t cover much of the flesh, yea, they flaunt nakedness. They often reveal the cleavage, have the thighs uncovered, leave the mid-section bare, and sometimes even undergarments are visible during flips and jumps. If one is expected to lead cheers in that kind of clothing, then cheerleading is "out" for those that want to please the Lord.

ü The Touching/Hands Test – Some of the present-day cheerleading squads have male and female cheerleaders with their hands all over one another in a variety of cheers or stunts. Even if not done intentionally, during the flipping and twisting that is a part of "mixed" cheerleading squads, there invariably will be cases where young men have their hands on girls’ bodies in places where they ought not be, and the same could be true for the girls’ hands. As we just noted, "lasciviousness" includes unchaste handling of males and females. God’s children are exhorted to "depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19), and "iniquity" is certainly an appropriate term to describe the touching and handling of males and females that goes on during some cheerleading actions.

ü The Influence Test – God wants us to be a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7), a light for the world to see (Matthew 5:16). If there is anything at all about serving as a cheerleading in a particular circumstance that would hinder one’s reputation or influence for good, then cheerleading would not be an option for a Christian.

We are unaware of any passage of scripture that is violated by the action of standing before others to lead a cheer. However, it is not just a question of one physically standing and using his/her physical voice to lead others in a yell. The six "tests" that we have noted [language, commitment, clothing, bodily movement, touching/hands, and influence], need to be seriously considered before giving a "thumbs up" to cheerleading.

We recognize that in some schools it is a highly prestigious affair to be selected to represent the school as a cheerleader. Maybe you, young brother or sister, have had your heart set on being a middle school, high school, or university cheerleader. We beg you to seriously and honestly evaluate what cheerleading at your school would involve. If it would in any way cause you to have a part in something that is against our Lord’s will, then have the courage to not only not pursue being a cheerleader, but to also remove from your mind even the desire to be one.

Dads and moms, we need to be on the ball and recognize the grave dangers that being a cheerleader presents. That is a message that we need to convey plainly to our own kids and any others over whom we might have influence.

-- Roger D. Campbell