Why Are Anti-Christian Bigots So Eager to Prey On Tim Tebow?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Football is a tough game.

Exactly. So Tim better grow a thick skin and accept that he's put himself out there to be a target, and not because he's Christian, but because he wears his heart out on his sleeve.

The NFL is full of fervent Christians (read up on Kurt Warner), but most of them have/had the common sense not turn their religion into some kind of media circus.

Edited December 13, 2011 by Mister Fancypants

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Exactly. So Tim better grow a thick skin and accept that he's put himself out there to be a target, and not because he's Christian, but because he's wears his heart out on his sleeve.

The NFL is full of fervent Christians (read up on Kurt Warner), but most of them have/had the common sense not turn their religion into some kind of media circus.

We're playing them Sunday in Denver, so I have to be harsh. We never win in Denver.

I was always a Kurt Warner fan. I almost felt bad for him when we beat St. Louis in the Superbowl.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

We're playing them Sunday in Denver, so I have to be harsh. We never win in Denver.

I was always a Kurt Warner fan. I almost felt bad for him when we beat St. Louis in the Superbowl.

He's a classy guy. I'll admit that Tebow is exciting to watch. I just think we could do without athletes showboating their religious beliefs. It's like, "In yo face! Jesus saves!" God help us.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

He's a classy guy. I'll admit that Tebow is exciting to watch. I just think we could do without athletes showboating their religious beliefs. It's like, "In yo face! Jesus saves!" God help us.

Quite true. And hopefully Jesus misses the block and Wifork flattens him.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Quite true. And hopefully Jesus misses the block and Wifork flattens him.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Unless he was black. Black muslims get a pass big time!

The practice of Muslim athletes of all races is often ignored, period.

[The_Dude 1,142]

The practice of Muslim athletes of all races is often ignored, period.

Not just muslim athletes..... Look at the reaction that Sandy Koufax got when he sat out of a world series game because it fell on Yom Kippur. Regarding Tim Tebow, I think we should look at the reaction of Kurt Warner, who himself was a very devout and public christian. Even Warner has publicly told Tebow to tone down the religious rhetoric. I think the reaction to religion in sports has been fairly consistent. People don't mind religious outbursts, in terms of celebration. But by and large, people don't want to feel like you are prosthelytizing.

[Misha & Ira 113]

So much for the idea of 'diversity'.

Oddly enough, the most vocal critics in this thread are guilty of the same behaviour. There are constant threads proselytizing the views of the left. Your hearts are just as much on your sleeves as his and because it is you and 'your' beliefs, that makes it different. AT least Tim practices what he preaches. Maybe that is what makes him so intimidating.

People want to blame religion for the problems of humanity and fail to recognize the behaviour that is the root of the problem. Remove religion entirely and a new idealogy will emerge that people will use to persecute others because they do not conform to it.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Not just muslim athletes..... Look at the reaction that Sandy Koufax got when he sat out of a world series game because it fell on Yom Kippur. Regarding Tim Tebow, I think we should look at the reaction of Kurt Warner, who himself was a very devout and public christian. Even Warner has publicly told Tebow to tone down the religious rhetoric. I think the reaction to religion in sports has been fairly consistent. People don't mind religious outbursts, in terms of celebration. But by and large, people don't want to feel like you are prosthelytizing.

I don't care one way or another that he flounts his faith, but I'll agree that it leaves him open to a Tiger Woods type downfall.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=dw-wetzel_tim_tebow_pastor_faith_121211

Pastor’s comments do Tebow a disservice

By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports

Dec 12, 7:05 pm EST

Tim Tebow’s pastor, Wayne Hanson, says he knows why the Denver Broncos are 7-1 since installing Tebow as quarterback – it’s the player’s faith.

“It’s not luck,” Hanson said according to TMZ. “Luck isn’t winning six games in a row. It’s favor. God’s favor.”

Hanson, who runs the Summit Church in suburban Denver, said the Broncos wouldn’t be winning games if God hadn’t decided to reward Tebow’s religious beliefs.

Comments like these aren’t helping Tim Tebow. And they aren’t helping gain acceptance for the faith Tebow is willing to serve as public representative.

If anything, this is a moment when the pastor ought to take a lesson from his follower, who has consistently rejected such proclamations.

Tebow’s commitment to Evangelical Christianity is well known and his displays of that faith are often public. However, he’s never said God is deciding who wins football games, other than when joking about an opponent’s miscue.

Tebow doesn’t even want people to credit him for all the winning.

“I don’t think it’s Tebow Time,” he said Sunday of the late game comebacks Denver keeps rattling off. “I think it’s the Broncos Time.”

This is the beauty and brilliance of Tim Tebow. He puts his faith on display, but never seems to get too direct about it. He shrugs off criticism. He even jokes about it. He is unfailingly polite, accepting of doubters and moderate in his proclamations.

“If you believe, unbelievable things can sometimes be possible,” is about as bold as he gets.

Very few people, even the ultra religious, believe God cares about the result of a football game. There are plenty of believers on the other teams also.

There is no question that Tebow’s faith has played a role in his success. It’s a part of him. It’s what works for him. It’s what drives him. It’s what provides the confidence to overcome all odds – be it in the fourth quarter or in offseason preparation. All the great ones have that and Tebow derives his from his religion.

That’s a powerful message and, it appears, the one that Tim Tebow wants put out there.

This is what works for me, he is saying. This is how I do it. This is what has shaped me as both a successful player on the field and an undoubtedly polite and respectful person off of it.

If you want to give it a shot, then come join me.

And he pretty much leaves it at that. You don’t have to be religious at all to enjoy Tim Tebow the football player, the role model or the well-meaning star.

While he’s aggressive in his missionary work overseas, for the most part his public offerings, especially since joining the NFL, are extremely reasonable. He’s even laughed off opponents “Tebowing” after sacking him. There doesn’t appear to be a confrontational bone in his body – other than his willingness to lower his shoulder in the open field.

Isn’t that how you want people of other religions, or non-believers, to act?

In 2010, Tebow and his mother Pam were featured in a Super Bowl commercial paid for by the group Focus on the Family, which, among other things, espouses pro-life positions. Pam Tebow says when she was pregnant with Tim, doctors advised her to have an abortion due to potential complications. She declined and the rest is history.

While there was great controversy in the run up to the commercial, it turned out to be apolitical, never mentioning abortion or religion. It wasn’t offensive. It merely offered a website at the end so anyone interested could find out the “full story.”

Religion is said to be the third rail of politics. Many people don’t want it involved in sports at all – they’d prefer to compartmentalize it. Besides, in a country that is hyper-partisan and divided in so many ways, one of the great things about the NFL is its ability to provide common grounds for people of all religions, races, ages, sexes and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Tebow seems to understand that, seems determined to express his personal faith in the most benign and welcoming way possible.

It’s his pastor, and any number of others trying to ride in Tebow’s wake, that takes it a step further.

In a non-religious – and albeit somewhat forced – comparison, what Tebow is doing is similar to what Michael Vick did last year. Vick had come out of prison to deliver a series of electrifying victories to the Philadelphia Eagles. Like Tebow, he was offering a message to the masses.

No less than President Obama issued a statement noting Vick proved that “individuals who have paid for their crimes should have an opportunity to contribute to society again.”

Vick preferred to lay low and let his game, and new attitude, speak for him. He remained mindful of his mistakes and respectful of those who still found fault with him. You could hate what he did, but not what he was doing.

Maybe he won some people over. Maybe he didn’t. That he had the opportunity is the pedestal the NFL can provide.

Tebow is doing the same. He’s the first to say the Broncos are winning games because of a hellacious defense, a team-first concept and a tremendous level of trust in each other. While the quarterback’s unorthodox style and calm play under pressure has proven particularly difficult for defenses (often zone) to stop late in games, Tebow knows football is the ultimate team sport.

It’s been a magical ride and one, no doubt, that has aided the image of, and interest in, Evangelical Christianity. A likeable spokesman will always do that.

This is no time for a pastor to claim this is anything more than it is and undermine the entire thing.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I thought I saw an interview with Tebow where he said he thought the Lions mock Tebowing after he got sacked was funny. It seems he has thicker skin than people determined to see anti-Christian "bigotry" where it does not exist.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Yea, if Tebow was Muslim, he would've been run out of town on a rail long before becoming the QB.

It seems to me that the one being negative on Muslims is you. Please be kind.

[arienardo1 3]

It seems to me that the one being negative on Muslims is you. Please be kind.

+1

[luckytxn 2,265]

I thought I saw an interview with Tebow where he said he thought the Lions mock Tebowing after he got sacked was funny. It seems he has thicker skin than people determined to see anti-Christian "bigotry" where it does not exist.

You are right. I have seen interviews where other times they ask him about the mocking of him and he just laughs it off. He cares not. No one has shown to be having a thicker skin then Tebow. Never have and never will Tebow let negativity shake him. We could all learn from that. Does this help him be the winner he is? I think so.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

So much for the idea of 'diversity'.

Oddly enough, the most vocal critics in this thread are guilty of the same behavior. There are constant threads proselytizing the views of the left. Your hearts are just as much on your sleeves as his and because it is you and 'your' beliefs, that makes it different. AT least Tim practices what he preaches. Maybe that is what makes him so intimidating.

People want to blame religion for the problems of humanity and fail to recognize the behavior that is the root of the problem. Remove religion entirely and a new ideology will emerge that people will use to persecute others because they do not conform to it.

I've voted Democrat one time in my life.. also for Ross Perot but that was before I knew he was insane. I don't preach the views of the left but I do for common sense... I've never said a thing about Tim T. or any other religious person before today.. I am sure Tim T. would be very gracious if someone wanted to pass around rainbow flags in the huddle as he is so open to diversity.

Religion in itself is not the problem but it is not a solution any more than horoscopes or magical crystals. I like your last line there: "Remove religion entirely and a new ideology will emerge that people will use to persecute others because they do not conform to it." Read that again... A hint for you: The Tim T. along with the rest of the Christians and Catholics and other major religions are not the ones being persecuted.. They are the in fact the conformists with the numbers overwhelmingly on their side.They have done lots and lots of persecuting through the ages of non-believers... Atheists? not so much...

Edited December 14, 2011 by OnMyWayID