Rapinoe’s Faith Background

Megan Rapinoe identifies as a Christian, and her faith plays a central role in her identity. She has spoken openly about how her beliefs inspire her to fight for justice and equality. Raised in a Catholic household in Redding, California, Rapinoe described her early faith as “normal” but said she drifted away from religion in her teens and early adulthood. Growing up with her twin brother Brian, soccer became an early outlet, but church attendance waned as she entered her competitive soccer years. She has noted that the rigid structure of her childhood parish felt disconnected from the challenges she faced as a young athlete. It was during her time with the U.S. Women’s National Team that she reembraced Christianity, finding a community that valued both faith and social conscience. In a 2020 interview with Sports Illustrated, she explained: “I had this really profound experience that brought me back to God, and it was very personal. It was about being able to live in my truth and feel whole.”

Her faith gives her strength and resilience, especially when facing criticism or opposition. Rather than seeing her Christianity as a set of rules, Rapinoe emphasizes it as a source of liberation. She told Christian Today that “God loves everybody and wants everybody to be free,” a conviction that directly fuels her work for racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, and gender fairness. This conviction deepened after she reconnected with the United Church of Christ pastor who had mentored her during her time at the University of Portland. That pastor, whose congregation was explicitly LGBTQ-affirming, helped Rapinoe reconcile her sexuality with her faith — a turning point she has called “the liberation of my soul.” In a 2021 interview with CNN, she said: “I grew up thinking I had to choose between being gay and being Christian. I learned that was a lie. God made me exactly as I am.”

Her faith journey also includes a deep grounding in the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament. Rapinoe frequently cites passages from Isaiah and Amos that call for justice to “roll down like waters.” She has said these texts gave her a vocabulary for activism long before she understood the political implications. “When I read about the prophets calling out kings and systems of oppression, I felt like that was my job too,” she told The Athletic in 2022. “It wasn’t about being rebellious; it was about being faithful to a God who cares about the poor and the marginalized.”

Living Her Values

Rapinoe’s faith encourages her to stand up for what she believes is right. She often references biblical principles of love, justice, and compassion as guiding her actions. Her activism includes advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and gender fairness — all of which she sees as extensions of her Christian duty to care for the marginalized. In 2016, she became one of the first white professional athletes to kneel during the national anthem, following Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality. She later said her faith compelled her to act: “It’s not just about saying ‘I love my neighbor’ — it’s about doing something when your neighbor is being harmed.”

Her leadership in the fight for equal pay with the U.S. Soccer Federation also reflects her faith. She has called the pay disparity a “systemic injustice” and argued that fair treatment of women aligns with the biblical call for equity. “Jesus stood up for the oppressed,” she said in a 2022 interview with Beliefnet. “I try to do that every day, on and off the field.” The equal pay struggle was not just a labor negotiation for Rapinoe; it was a moral crusade. She frequently invoked the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20) to argue that equal work deserves equal reward, regardless of gender. In locker-room talks and media appearances alike, she framed the fight as a gospel issue, urging fans to see that “fairness is not a political position — it’s a biblical one.”

Beyond pay equity, Rapinoe has been vocal about racial justice, especially following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. She attended protests, spoke at rallies, and used her platform to amplify Black voices. At one Seattle protest, she carried a sign that read “Black Lives Matter” and told reporters: “My faith tells me that my neighbor’s life is sacred. When that life is under threat, I have to show up.” She also worked closely with the Black Women’s Player Collective to address systemic racism within women’s soccer. Her activism is not limited to symbolic gestures; she has funded scholarships for Black youth soccer players and lobbied soccer governing bodies to adopt anti-racism policies.

Balancing Faith and Activism

While her faith influences her activism, Rapinoe also emphasizes the importance of respecting diverse beliefs. She advocates for inclusivity and understanding, believing that her faith should inspire positive change without excluding others. This balance helps her connect with a broad audience and promote unity. In particular, she has been careful not to use her faith as a weapon against those who think differently. “Faith isn’t a stick to beat people with,” she told ESPN in 2021. “It’s supposed to be a light that helps you see the good in others.”

That message has resonated with many progressive Christians who see Rapinoe as a model of how to be both devout and socially engaged. She regularly partners with organizations like Believe Out Loud, which supports LGBTQ-affirming faith communities, and has spoken at events like the National Prayer Breakfast — though she acknowledges the audience there can be divided. “I know some people think I’m not a ‘real Christian’ because I’m gay and because I speak out,” she said. “But my relationship with God is between me and God. I know who I am.” At the 2020 National Prayer Breakfast, she gave a brief address in which she connected the Beatitudes to modern social justice movements. The speech drew both applause and criticism, but Rapinoe insisted afterward: “I wasn’t there to convert anyone. I was there to remind people that the heart of faith is action.”

She also navigates the tension between her celebrity status and her faith commitments. Rapinoe has turned down lucrative endorsement deals from companies she felt did not align with her values, including a major sportswear brand that had a poor record on LGBTQ+ inclusion. “It’s easy to say you have principles when nobody’s offering you a million dollars,” she told Forbes in 2023. “The test is what you do when the check is on the table.” That interview, published in Forbes, detailed how she uses a faith-based ethical framework to evaluate partnerships: “I ask myself: does this collaboration make God’s love more visible? If not, I walk away.”

The Impact of Faith on Her Leadership

Rapinoe’s faith-driven approach has made her a powerful leader both on and off the field. Her authenticity and conviction inspire many young athletes and activists. She demonstrates that faith can be a source of motivation for social change and personal integrity. As captain of the U.S. Women’s National Team during the 2019 World Cup, she used her platform to call for justice, leading the team in visible acts of protest and advocacy. Teammates like Alex Morgan and Becky Sauerbrunn have credited her with creating a culture of courage. “Megan doesn’t just talk about her values; she lives them out loud,” Sauerbrunn said in a 2020 profile. “That’s rare, and it makes people want to follow her.”

Her leadership extends beyond soccer. Rapinoe co-founded the Megan Rapinoe Foundation, which supports organizations working for racial and gender justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and faith-based inclusion. The foundation has awarded grants to groups like the Transgender Law Center, Black Visions Collective, and Believe Out Loud. In its first three years, the foundation distributed over $1 million in grants, prioritizing grassroots organizations led by people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Rapinoe personally reviews each grant application, often praying over the decisions. “I take it seriously because the money comes from people who trust me to do good,” she told Sports Illustrated in a follow-up profile. “I want every dollar to reflect the love of God.”

She also serves on the board of Athlete Ally, a nonprofit that fights homophobia and transphobia in sports. In that role, she has pushed for policy changes at the NCAA and FIFA levels, including stronger anti-discrimination clauses in athlete contracts. Her faith-informed leadership style is marked by a willingness to be vulnerable. After a public dispute with U.S. Soccer Federation leadership, she invited the federation’s president to a private dinner where she shared her personal faith story. “I don’t do that to manipulate,” she said. “I do it to remind people that behind every policy is a human being created in God’s image.”

Leadership in the 2019 World Cup Campaign

The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup was the peak of Rapinoe’s public leadership. She won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards, but her most lasting impact may have been cultural. She used every post-match press conference to steer the conversation toward justice, refusing to “just talk about soccer.” Her decision to remain kneeling during the national anthem — even after the U.S. Soccer Federation tried to ban such protests — was a direct extension of her faith. “I’m not trying to disrespect the flag,” she explained. “I’m trying to honor God by standing up for what is right.” The team’s victory parade in New York City became a platform for her to lead a chant for equal pay, further cementing her role as a leader unafraid to use her platform for social change.

Critiques and Controversies

Not everyone has embraced Rapinoe’s blend of faith and activism. She has faced strong criticism from conservative Christians who argue that her stance on LGBTQ+ rights contradicts traditional biblical teachings. Some pastors and Christian leaders have called her a “false prophet” or accused her of twisting Scripture to fit a secular agenda. In response, Rapinoe has been measured but firm. “I don’t try to be a theologian,” she told OutKick. “I just try to follow Jesus’ example of radical love and inclusion. If that makes some people uncomfortable, maybe it’s because they’ve forgotten what the real gospel is about.”

She has also been criticized by some secular progressives who distrust any religious influence in public life. But Rapinoe has refused to let either side define her. “I’m not going to be put in a box,” she said in a 2023 interview with The Guardian. “My faith is mine. It’s not a political tool. It’s the reason I get up and keep fighting.” The criticism has sometimes turned personal. In 2021, a conservative talk show host called her a “heretic” on national television. Rapinoe’s response was a calm, faith-based rebuttal: “I’ll pray for them. That’s what Jesus would do.” She also noted that the Bible is full of prophets who were rejected by the religious establishment of their day. “If people think I’m wrong, that’s fine. But I’d rather be wrong for loving too much than wrong for hating too much.”

The most sustained controversy came after the 2019 World Cup when she said she would not visit the White House — a decision that drew criticism from President Trump and his supporters. Rapinoe linked that decision to her faith as well: “My God calls me to stand up for the alien, the orphan, and the widow. I don’t see that happening in that administration.” She received death threats and hate mail, but she says her faith gave her peace. “I realized that the same God who protected Daniel in the lion’s den could protect me from tweets.”

Broader Implications

Rapinoe’s example challenges the assumption that faith and progressive activism are incompatible. She embodies what some theologians call “prophetic Christianity” — a tradition that calls believers to speak truth to power and stand with the oppressed. Her public witness has inspired a new generation of athletes of faith to be open about their beliefs while also advocating for social change. Players like Megan Rapinoe and Marcus Rashford (soccer), Maya Moore (basketball), and Colin Kaepernick (football) have shown that faith can be a motivating force for justice rather than a reason to stay silent.

Her influence extends beyond sports into broader cultural conversations about religion and politics. In a polarized era, Rapinoe offers a vision of faith that is inclusive, courageous, and deeply personal. She does not dismiss criticism but instead invites dialogue. “I want people to see that you can be a Christian and be gay, you can be a Christian and be a feminist, you can be a Christian and be a radical,” she said at a 2022 conference. “That’s not a contradiction; it’s the point.” That conference, hosted by The Reformation Project, brought together progressive Christians from across the country to discuss how faith can be a force for liberation. Rapinoe was the keynote speaker, and her talk was widely shared on social media, reaching millions.

Rapinoe’s legacy may ultimately be that she helped bridge the gap between evangelical and mainline Protestant understandings of social justice. She has been invited to speak at both liberal and conservative churches, and she holds out hope that dialogue can reduce polarization. “I don’t expect everyone to agree with me,” she said. “But I do hope everyone can see that my faith makes me more loving, not more hateful. If we can agree on that, we can build something together.” Her work has also influenced the National Association of Christian Athletes to reconsider its stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion, with some chapters now openly welcoming gay athletes.

Conclusion

Megan Rapinoe’s faith is a vital part of her identity as an activist. It shapes her values, fuels her dedication, and informs her leadership. Her example shows how personal beliefs can inspire meaningful activism and foster a more inclusive, compassionate society. Whether she is kneeling during the national anthem, lobbying Congress for equal pay, or simply living openly as a gay Christian athlete, Rapinoe demonstrates that faith is not a private comfort but a public call to action. As she told USA Today after winning the 2019 World Cup: “I’m just trying to use the platform that God gave me to make the world a little bit better. That’s what I’m here for.”

In a world that often pits faith against progress, Rapinoe refuses to choose. She insists that the two are not only compatible but interdependent. Her critics may continue to challenge her theology, but her life — and her goals — speak for themselves. “I’m not perfect,” she said in a 2024 interview with The Players’ Tribune. “But I’m trying to follow a perfect God. That means I’ll keep kneeling, keep speaking, keep loving — no matter what.” For those who follow her — on the field, in the news, or in their own faith journeys — that message remains as powerful as any goal she has ever scored.