Via Larry Brown Sports:
Tim Tebow is one of the most fascinating people the sports world has ever known. The most beloved man in Denver’s on-field success is a truly remarkable story, but it is another topic that occupies the minds of the masses week in and week out: Tebow’s religious faith.
In order to dive further into a phenomenon that has become unrivaled by any in sports history, the USA Today sought out the opinion of a number of scholars who specialize in religion.
“Tim is who he is,” Brent High, the Associate Director of Athletics for Spiritual Formation at Lipscomb University, explained. “If you are a Christian, he is your absolute flag-bearer in the sports world. You cheer for him and you hurt for him when he takes the beating that he takes. If I am putting myself in the shoes of someone who is offended … and Tebow is getting down on one knee with all cameras trained on him, that’s in my face … So I can see why it’s like the fingernails on the chalkboard to those people.”
In a way, that makes sense. To non-Christians who watch football, Tebow’s preaching could come across as painfully unnecessary. Some people just want to hear about football. There are those who will undoubtedly subscribe to the “if you don’t like it, don’t watch” theory, but is that fair? Football and religion are not inherently intertwined, although there are many other athletes who have been just as open with their displays of faith as Tebow. That leads to another interesting point.
“I often think about the same thing,” Patton Dodd, managing editor at a religion and spirtuality website called Patheos and author of The Tebow Mystique, told the USA Today. “I often think about Troy Polamalu, who you will hear Pittsburgh Steelers players say is the most religious athlete in football. He crosses himself before every play and sometimes after. He prays during plays. It is odd that there are more outspoken Christians on the Denver Broncos like Brian Dawkins. It is odd that Tebow has become this figure.”
Then why is Tebow the topic of debate? Former NFL quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Jake Plummer both expressed concern over Tebow’s displays of faith, so clearly the criticism is not unique to the casual fan who is simply looking for a way to knock a successful athlete down a peg. The more you think about it, the more difficult it becomes to explain.
Perhaps the fact that Tebow has enjoyed so much success in the early stages of his career has led to an infatuation with him as a person, thus inspiring the public to critique his every move. It’s also possible that documentaries like The Chosen One set Tebow up for more scrutiny than other practicing Christian athletes. Maybe it has to do with the position he plays, which provides Tebow with more press conferences and interviews that lead to more opportunities to praise God. Whatever the case, Tebow is taking most — if not all — of the heat for proud Christians in professional sports who wear their faith on their sleeves. And from the looks of it, he doesn’t plan on changing his approach anytime soon.
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Original Story:
Tebow is coming across like a newly "saved soul". I became a Christian when I attended a Baptist high school. Right away, the pastor, principal and teachers told saved students to go out and spread the word of God to save others. They said that it was our mission to save as many other souls as we could. Most likely, the folks that approach strangers in the airport and stand on street corners are newly saved.
One such person approached my brother, who is a Buddhist, and he wouldn't let up even after my brother asked him to go away. Unfortunately for him, our grandfather had recently passed away. Finally, my brother confronted him, "So, you're saying that my grandfather is in Hell because he died a Buddhist?"
I feel that Christians should be fervent in their belief but humble as well. Tebow is not humble in his expression of his beliefs.
JESUS CHRIST Would be Treated as Bad and worse Today as Tim is being Treated. Tim is Not JESUS, but He is Living the Faith, By being Like JESUS.
I don't have a problem with what Tebow does, yet I see how makes people uncomfortable. Why not let the man be who he is? I've heard more about Tebow offering his thanks to God than I have about the FG kicker relieving himself by the Gatorade table, or about Suh stomping the Packers' guard, or about the misuse of performance enhancing drugs (or other drugs).
Leave the man alone.
As far as the first statement on here about if he was whipping out his prayer rug, there probably would be all grades of attention on how great that is and how tolerant the NFL is.
"5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Of course, no one heeds Christ's words on this, based on all the public praying in church, at sports events, etc. Like all religions, the Christian one cherry-picks which of its faiths tenets and teachings it wants to follow, and which it wants to ignore, justifying said cherry-picking with statements like, "Well that's not what was meant here" or "This was referring to the customs of that time, which aren't applicable to our modern lives" and other such crap.
Troy crossing himself on the field is discreet and he doesn't do commercials with him mom. Polamalu competes at FOOTBALL, not Religion.
Father and goes to his knee to thank Him for all the blessings He pours out on him. Thats it! All these religious experts and higher critics do nothing but concoct scenarios and distort a simple act of humility. This kid walks the walk, and offers no apology. This is admirable. When interviewed, he refers to team; when his play is questioned its always, I'll work harder to get better, there is no bragging, or self edification.
I guess he'd get better press if he got arrested on gun charges, beat his girlfriend, or picked up on drug charges. You don't see him grabbing his crotch , or yelling profanity, you don't see him kicking an adversary or cheap shotting apposing players. You don't see him torturing and killing animals, or getting picked up for sex with minors like some "Hall of Famers"
And to the christian Quarterbacks I ask you, when do you show God too much love and gratitude. Think about it. Tim Tebow is an example of what fair play and sportmanship is all about. I hope he doesn't change and I wish him health and success. For those out there that are offended by his actions, tuff stuff.
Go celebrate in the end zone with the dog killers, and drug abusers that you think are great, have a nice trip.
"5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Of course, no one heeds Christ's words on this, based on all the public praying in church, at sports events, etc. Like all religions, the Christian one cherry-picks which of its faith's tenets and teachings it wants to follow, and which it wants to ignore, justifying said cherry-picking with statements like, "Well that's not what was meant here" or "This was referring to the customs of that time, which aren't applicable to our modern lives" and other such crap.
by WaldoLydecker 1 hour ago Reply Options
(P.S. I don't think I'm the one with my head in the sand or wherever you've placed yours, Monkey1. To make a statement that "Christianity is not a Religion" just further illustrates your willful ignorance.)
He silently thanks God. When you meet your maker, you explain how His children are not to pray, praise,or thank Him. When Christ taught He used figures of speech, symbols, and yes; parables to simplify The Word for the common people,ergo; keep it simple. I understand how someone like you would literally
go into a closet and pray. It must be an event at your church.
They make movies about it. Good luck in the end zone with your heroes. I'll keep Tebow. By the way, does the verse "put on the whole armour of God" have any meaning for you? This verse is for God's warriors, on the playing field and the spiritual battle field. Have fun in the closet.
There's no place like home, there's no place like home,there's no place like home. Otherwise, go back in the closet and start singing the good ship lolipop. Have a nice trip. Is there anyone out there that wants to talk sports.?