Lions 1, Christians 0
Allow me to give full credit for the title of this post to my friend and co-blogger Mustang Bobby, arising from an e-mail exchange we were having about the NFL Sunday evening.
I mentioned that I was surprised Jesus hadn't shown up to help right-wing fundamentalist QB Tim Tebow, whose Broncos got crushed by the Lions 45-10:
Tim Tebow wasn't on one knee in prayer this time. He was on the ground in misery.
Nicely put, ESPN.
Allow me to say that I have no reason to believe Tebow isn't a nice person -- and perhaps also a generally good one. From everything I've read, he is. But I'm awfully tired of the way the media treat him, basically as the incarnation of the divine, as the most righteous person ever to suit up on the gridiron -- and of the way Tebow himself feeds this narrative by being so outwardly religious, and so utterly self-righteous.
I'm also tired of the way a lot of people think he's actually a good QB. He isn't, at least at the NFL level, and may never be. And yet you'd think he has a spot reserved at the Pro Bowl for the next 15 years, when he isn't leading his team, or rather carrying his entire franchise on his shoulders, to Super Bowl win after Super Bowl win, his place in Canton all but assured.
And the fact that he's a self-righteous fundamentalist only makes it worse. A lot worse. A lot of players in the NFL are religious, but Tebow takes it to a new level. He's out there playing but also praying, seemingly all the time, in front of the fans and in front of the TV cameras, as if each and every stadium is his personal place of exhibitionistic worship.
Now, does Sunday's horrendous loss prove God's (i.e., his "God"'s) non-existence? Well, who knows? But can we at least stop with the ridiculousness that "God" has nothing better to do but to insert "Himself" into sporting events, helping players who have "faith" and deciding outcomes based on who believes more?
When you hit a home run, it's not "Jesus" who does it, it's you. And when you suck against the Lions and your team gets thoroughly shellacked, "God" has nothing to do with it.
Though I'm sure we'll hear, excuses flying fast and furious, how Tim Tebow is still the greatest person in the world.
posted by Michael J.W. Stickings at
12:09 AM
6 Comments:
Nice piece.
Thousands dead in earthquakes from Turkey to Haiti.
Thousands dead in flooding, typhoons and hurricanes, everywhere from China to India.
Millions of children going hungry, everywhere from Africa to Afghanistan (to America, for that matter).
And these pampered, obscenely overpaid athletes think that God (whatever she/he/it is) actually gives a sh*t about them playing a meaningless game, chasing an inflated pigskin around a field?
If Jesus were around today, he'd be puking his guts out.
By
Marc McDonald, at 9:22 AM
Mr. Stickings, I've never cared much for your weekly rants condemning anyone (usually along the political spectrum) who doesn't fit into your neat little box, but this post sets a new standard.
Yes, Tim Tebow is a Christian. However, he is not "outwardly religious"; if one notices his Christianity, it just means he's doing it right. Christianity is a lifestyle. Why is it that the media pounces on religious sincerity just as hard as religious hypocrisy? If Tebow were any other sort of Christian, you'd attack his lack of Jesus-like qualities. And since he isn't, you resort to kicking a man when he's down and attacking his right to the pursuit of happiness.
His faith is his own, and I applaud him for actually living a Christian life. He is a clean player, a dedicated philanthropist, and a chronic volunteer. When asked, he attributes his strength to his faith in the same way a player might credit a parent, uncle, or grandmother for support and encouragement. As far as I know, Tebow has never imposed his grandmother, nor his God, upon any other player or fan.
His prayers are personal; when was the last time he brought a bullhorn to practice? The last time he's called for the audience to turn and repent? You may not like them, but his meditations are more humble than the ego-centric stunts pulled by some of his contemporaries. Do you think he's doing it for the attention? Yes? Then explain his consistency of faith.
Your depiction of God as a mercenary bought with holiness by the more devout team reflects an utter ignorance of prayer and faith in general. Had Tebow pointed into the stands at no one in particular and thanked his grandmother for the strength and perseverance to perform, the outcome of the game would have been irrelevant to the sincerity of the gesture. His grandmother didn't win or lose the game, nor did she directly influence the outcome - she impacted Tebow's life to make the opportunity possible. The same goes for any person of faith.
Tim Tebow, a fundamentalist? In comparison to whom? It seems as if your standard is whether or not you can see and hear someone's worldview. And if this is the case, how does it feel to be a political fundamentalist, Mr. Stickings? Tebow actually lives what he believes, and should be lauded for it. If this is the definition of fundamentalism, then I hope to be a fraction of the fundamentalist Tim Tebow is.
"So utterly self-righteous" better describes the blogger with nothing better to do than attack the faith preference of a professional football player. When was the last time Tebow verbally tackled those who disagree with him? It seems to me his solution is to turn the other cheek. Now that's authenticity.
By
Anonymous, at 7:20 PM
However, he is not "outwardly religious"; if one notices his Christianity, it just means he's doing it right.
Not outwardly religious? He paints Bible citations under his eyes like mascara. So what is your definition of "outward;" tattooing JESUS IS LORD on his forehead? Sheesh.
"Religion is like a penis. It's fine to have one. It's fine to be proud of it. But that doesn't mean you can whip it out and wave it around in public, or try to cram it down our throats."
By
Mustang Bobby, at 9:39 PM
My point is that his faith is who he is - it is his identity as much as his Broncos affiliation.
I challenge Stickings' use of "outwardly", not the definition of the word itself. I agree that "outwardly" describes Tebow's actions (his Christianity is certainly noticeable), but only if "outwardly" also describes his race, his gender, and his profession - all parts of his identity we can simply discern with our eyes.
In my original post, I continue on to say that Christianity is a lifestyle. It is lived, not showcased. It is because of this that I challenge the use of "outwardly" to describe something that simply cannot be hidden by definition.
By
Anonymous, at 11:45 AM
"Christianity is a lifestyle."
No, some Christianity is a lifestyle, but not all. I don't think you speak for all Christians, and neither does Tim Tebow. There are a lot of Christians who are embarrassed by outward shows of religious devotion such as falling to your knees in the middle of a packed football stadium. That pretty much defines "showcasing."
Religious affiliation is a choice, unlike race or gender. Being black -- or white -- or male is an innate quality, not a lifestyle, and it is fallacious to conflate religious affiliation with such a quality. If Tim Tebow or his co-religionists feel as if they're being picked on because of their faith, well, that's the cross they have to bear. After all, Christians have spent a good deal of their history bullying other people, so they might as well expect to get a bit of "do unto others."
FWIW, I'm a gay Quaker. In terms of being bullied by Christians, I get a two-fer.
By
Mustang Bobby, at 8:06 PM
No, all Christianity is a lifestyle. If it is not one's lifestyle, one is not Christian. I may not speak for Christianity, but Jesus sure did, and he was very clear about faith through action, not by word.
Whether or not he is "showcasing" is based entirely on intent. This is where you and I differ. I believe he is genuine, and you believe he is not.
And Mr. McDonald, you do know that Tebow has built a hospital, donated large amounts of money and time, and has served the underprivileged for years, right? If he were any other football player, your analysis would be appropriate, but Tebow actually lives his faith. When he thanks God, he is thankful for the opportunity to play, not asking for any particular outcome.
By
Anonymous, at 7:27 PM
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