Sophie Cunningham Discusses the Role of Faith in Her Life

Sophie Cunningham, a well-known figure in women’s basketball, recently shared insights about her Christian faith and its significance to her. During an episode of “This Past Weekend,” hosted by comedian Theo Von, she opened up about her beliefs.

When asked if she was baptized as an adult, Cunningham cheerfully affirmed, “I’m gonna bring you to church with me.” Although she doesn’t belong to a specific church due to her lifestyle, she emphasized her strong connection to her faith.

“I was raised Catholic, but now I’m more into being Christian, or—what’s the term?—nondenominational? Just used it!” she joked. Cunningham expressed her love for Jesus and noted that she sensed Von might be exploring similar ideas.

Von responded positively, and Cunningham explained how her faith helps her manage the complexities of being an athlete, especially when faced with both criticism and praise. “It keeps me stable and true to who I am,” she explained, going on to say she doesn’t worry about others’ opinions since she doesn’t live for their approval.

Von shared how he appreciates having a prayer connection with God but admitted to sometimes neglecting it, to which Cunningham resonated. “There’s nothing you can or can’t do that will separate you from God’s love and grace,” she reassured. “That’s why Jesus came and died on the cross, having known everything you would do. So, it’s really up to you to dive into the Bible.”

“But you’re already forgiven,” she added, affirming a sense of grace that resonates in her beliefs. Von expressed that he feels a more personal connection to his faith when he’s engaged in prayer, to which Cunningham enthusiastically confirmed.

They discussed prioritizing faith in everyday life, and Cunningham applauded those who boldly share their faith publicly, suggesting that she feels a revival might be occurring.

She also encouraged Von to invite experts to discuss the dialogue between faith and science on his podcast. Von humorously noted his dream of having the Pope on, but wasn’t sure if that’s feasible. “I mean, someone must have a phone, right?” Cunningham playfully responded, pointing out a comical contradiction in assumptions about the Amish lifestyle.