Dan Foster and Rich Lowry have some thoughts on why there is so much hostility to the openly Christian quarterback.
As a non-believer (but not a fundamentalist atheist), I think that he raises hackles in two different groups of people — those who are bigoted against Christians in general (and they are legion — it is the last acceptable bigotry in our society) and those Christians who feel guilty because he sets the bar too high (and there is actually a non-zero intersection of those two sets). I would think of him as the Ned Flanders of the NFL, the completely unironic guy who is made fun of because in living up to his beliefs rather than down to his impulses, he makes everyone else look bad. And because he’ll continue to do so, he won’t care. Which will just make them all the angrier.
Ned Flanders…..
Now that is beyond rich!
Ned-diddly-ed Flanders? Nah…Tebow is Harry Potter, the boy who didn’t die.
I attend the The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism Church with Ned Flanders. I have counseled with Ned. Ned is a friend of mine. Sir, you are no Ned Flanders!!!
Which will just make them all the angrier.
And all the more entertaining. He allows a stark contrast to be seen between the NFL elite (Troy Aikman) and its buffoons (Terry Bradshaw). I for one am loving every minute of it, and would whether I lived in Colorado or anywhere else. And whatever anyone says, make no mistake: he is improving, week to week. Much more fun to be had.
As a Christian with zero interest in sports I don’t have strong feelings on Tebow either way. I do worry about folks who pray publically, even if done sincerely it is nonetheless something of a show, and can cast a “look at me, I’m pious” vibe whether it is intended or not. It is not like I pray publically at my work, amidst the bullpen of engineers in my office. It is not a matter of sincerity, it is a matter of propriety.
I also believe it is irreverential to pray for one’s team to win. Praying for God to strengthen you as a player and to play to the maximum of your abilities is fine, and even that you would enjoy the game is a fine appeal. But it is not OK to assume that your team’s victory is “right” and should become God’s cause (i.e. His prescriptive will).
You don’t think God has favorites in the NFL? Why would he make Sunday the sabbath if it wasn’t so he could watch football?
Perhaps you should read “God and Football: Faith and Fanaticism in the SEC.” It’s hilarious.
I thought it was entitled:
“God and Football at Heaven.”
I also believe it is irreverential to pray for one’s team to win.
Do you have some evidence that Tebow does that?
No, I should have made it clear that I was just saying that as a matter of principle since it does seem to be common amongst men of faith in sports. I don’t know that Tebow engages in this. And, to be clear, I think he is worthy of admiration on account of his authentic and sincere Christian faith and a life lived consistently with those principles.
As a longtime Colorado resident and long-suffering Broncos fan (yeah, I admit it), just seeing the team win again is quite refreshing. I do wish the offense could get started in the first half, though. As with any football team, the quarterback gets too much credit when things are going well and too much blame when things are going poorly. Tebow is the first to admit that the winning is due to everyone contributing, especially the defense. Even the special teams are doing pretty good. Watching the team defeat the Raiders in Oakland was especially enjoyable. The Raiders are the 4th point on the Axis of Evil and defeating them is a moral necessity.
If I had a daughter, I’d hope she’d date a guy like Tebow. That’s about as high a praise for any young man (outside of the military) that I can offer.
living up to his beliefs rather than down to his impulses
Wow. I did a cursory search and found no similar quotes. That is great.
“it is the last acceptable bigotry in our society”
And fat people.
NASCAR, not even close.
Wikipedia instructs.Twelve. Most acceptable: homelessness.
By all accounts, he’s a good kid, regardless of his religious beliefs. He’s also one of the more interesting things to happen in the NFL in a good long while. I can’t figure the hate at all.
“I also believe it is irreverential to pray for one’s team to win.”
I don’t see what’s wrong with it. God can always say “No.”
“Is it true that God answers all prayers? Yes, and sometimes the answer is ‘no’.”
For the record, if he is really living up to it perhaps he should read the part where it talks about not praying in public.
“English Standard Version (©2001)
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:5
Where’s your evidence that Tebow is being a hypocrite? Praying in public is not hypocritical, being a hypocrite is hypocritical. Learn the difference please.
My response was less than kind,my apologies, but you’re misinterpreting the scripture. Jesus isn’t condemning public prayer, which he was known to do himself, he we condemning hypocrisy. The people Jesus was condemning prayed in public, but stole from widows and orphans in private. That’s the hypocrisy, not the act of public prayer.
I have to agree with Rob. Prayer in public is not hypocritcal. The passage is pretty clear that prayer for the sake of making a show of being pious is hypocritcal. For a better example, see politicians who, during campaign seasons, are seen visiting a church.
I am also an atheist and yet I also do not like that it is socially acceptable to be bigoted against Christians.
I’m not only an atheist….. I don’t watch football (or baseball or, hockey, or,*shudder*, golf). So I offend just about all the involved groups. 😉
And I will say that personally, someone ostentatiously praying gives me the willies…..
And yet it would never occur to me to complain about it, nor try to stop them. People that do need to get a life. I leave aside questions of religious propriety because I’m not qualified to comment; though it’s a fair debate…for those who might be….privately.
Abelard & Gregg,
I think what you are exhibiting is a belief in freedom OF thought and religion. I don’t see it openly admitted to very often. Good for you guys, good for both of you! I openly applaud you.
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I don’t think the hate and discontent is coming from a contingent of Christians with an attitude of,
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“…he’s a better Christian than me, so I hate him for praying…”.
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That’s the same kind of reasoning you hear when we have a Jerry Falwell type scandal. People always say the backlash is partly from Christians who think the scandal makes THEM look bad. Seriously?
Then how come there’s no Muslim backlash when an Imam is a pedophile?
How come there’s no Jewish backlash when a Rabbi commits the social or legal faux pas?
Because the MSM and non-believers are pretty selective on dishing out hate and discontent. All religious hate and scorn goes on Christians. There’s a certain amount of antisemitism, but most Western Religious Hate goes on Christians.
I know a goodly number of honest, good hearted Christians. Almost to a person they think ANYTHING that puts a positive light on Christ and his followers is a good thing. There is always that portion who feel the Tebow’s of the world should keep it under wraps in case they go all Jerry Falwell, but that’s a minority group.
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Now, on another note, if Tebow were a Muslim, or a Druid, the media would be loving on him for hours before and after every game. He’d have legions of fans turning up at stadiums wearing keffiyahs or Druidic robes. He’d be footballs newest royalty. Naturally, for now anyway, Elway is still King of Denver as Tebow is too young and unproven to assume the Crown.
Hail, Prince Tebow!
Of course the latter would make his wife a Druish Princess.
Now, on another note, if Tebow were a Muslim, or a Druid, the media would be loving on him for hours before and after every game. He’d have legions of fans turning up at stadiums wearing keffiyahs or Druidic robes. He’d be footballs newest royalty. Naturally, for now anyway, Elway is still King of Denver as Tebow is too young and unproven to assume the Crown.
Last year, Tebow jerseys were the top seller and they’re selling very well this year, too. The media is giving him an inordinate amount of attention but that’s because despite all of his “weaknesses”, the team is winning, often in improbably fashion (thanks Defense!). Elway isn’t ready to commit to Tebow as the quarterback of the future because the kid still has to prove himself over the long haul. He is getting better each week but I suspect the Patriots game week after next will be a reality check even more than the Lions game (Denver lost 45-10). The Bears game would’ve been a reality check but with their starting QB out, Denver may be able to win that one.
“Now, on another note, if Tebow were a …. a Druid”
Capital idea! Start a new NFL football team – the Druids!
This reminds of this time I was at Joe’s Crabshack a few years back. This couple seated next to me got their food and then the guy grabbed his partner’s hands and bellowed out a 5 minute sermon about the wonders of Cajun food, “glory be unto him the majesty of steamed buttery crab legs!” I looked around and saw a lot of nervous side glances from other people. I mean it was like he was preaching to the congregation at church. I don’t have a problem with someone praying before a meal but holy jebus tone it down a bit. I know hushpuppies are awesome but when you’re in public just give it the old, “Good bread good meat, good God lets eat!” and dig in.
To those who REALLY REALLY REALLY don’t understand all the Tebow-hate…someone once said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you..” It’s from a great book. You should get a copy and read it.
It is amazing to me the number of people who comment on him without even seeing or hearing an interview with him or how he acts before. during, and after games.
He does not openly or loudly pray, especially for his team to win. His actions are thankful to God for giving him the ability and strength to make him a better player, period. He doesn’t say that God wins games for him, doesn’t yell and scream ‘Praise Jesus’ every minute, and certainly doesn’t say that folks must take Jesus as their lord and savior.
He does thank God in post game interviews, but as I said, for the strength and character that made him work hard to be the player he is. He then goes out of his way to thank the rest of the team and always says he is just a part of that team. That’s it.
I think many people dislike him because they have a built-in idea of what he is and detest that strawman.
Here’s the bottom line – he is a football player who has every player on his team believing they can win every week. He doesn’t drink/use drugs (no DUIs), doesn’t miss team functions, and works for charities that benefit kids, regardless of religious beliefs. On the practice field, he works (by others insights) harder than almost everyone else, every time. I don’t see how these ethics lead anyone to hate him.