Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Although the subject has been frequently discussed, for some reason I cannot stop myself from writing about Tim Tebow. His celebrity has intrigued me and annoyed me at the same time. Over the past six years, Tebow has caught the attention of almost anyone who is remotely interested in sports. The first time I heard about his over-the-top religious spirit was while watching the 2009 National Championship game against the Oklahoma Sooners when he played for the Florida Gators. He had a Bible verse written on his eye blacks, and the commentators mentioned his faith frequently.
My problem with Tebow is this: He relies too much on the concept that without God, he could not be a professional, contending quarterback. He is combining religion with sports. Should there not be separation of church and football? It is one thing to have faith and be an athlete, but it is another thing to use your status to push your religious agenda.
For the same reason, I don’t particularly get my political advice from actors. While watching Tom Cruise, I want to see him jumping off buildings in “Mission Impossible.” His ability to act is separate from his belief in Scientology. People shouldn’t care about his life philosophy; what they should care about is his ability to be a good actor. Same with Tebow: People should respect him for his performance on the field, not his religion.
I have no problems with Tebow as a football player. What troubles me is that he uses his power as a quarterback to showboat his faith. For the most part, it is because faith has absolutely nothing to do with being an athlete. Furthermore, does God really care about football? With world suffering and poverty, I am sure he has enough to keep himself busy. Does God really care if the Broncos win a game? If the Broncos lose, does that mean God wasn’t listening or doesn’t exist? With that logic, you should be able to disprove God. If you want to minister to the lost, then become a pastor or a missionary.
The reason I and many others may dislike Tebow so much is because he seems to have such a better life than we do, and he seems to clearly be a much better person than me. He is highly successful, rich, famous, in shape, has great sportsmanship and he even has The Tim Tebow Foundation—which helps “bring a brighter day to deserving children.”
I have trouble trusting Tebow because I don’t want him to be involved in some scandal that will disvalue all of his previous endeavors (not saying he will, but it has happened many times in the past), such as abusing his power like Ted Haggard or Jim Bakker. I want him to truly be what he claims to be.
I’m just afraid Tebow will let me down, and all of those who view him as such a unique and great human being. Don’t let us down, Tebow. America needs you. I need you to prove me wrong. I need you to show me that people can be religious with money and fame and not mess up. Tebow, if you continue to prove that you are legit in your beliefs, you might be able to renew my faith in people. Please don’t let me down, Tebow, but if you could cut back on the constant prayers and kneeling on the field, that would be great.
— Moffitt is a senior in English and philosophy from Wichita.
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Comments
Moffitt: Fame and religion need separation
First of all, what about Tebow's proclamation of the gospel is "showboating?" If a man believes that he has been given a divine command to proclaim the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20), then does his profession trump that command?
Next, Tebow has made it explicitly clear that God is not the primary cause of his wins. God is certainly the proximate cause in that He created Tebow and endowed him with the gift of being a good football player. To say anything more than this is to have a severe misunderstanding of Tebow's message and likewise the message of Scripture.
Lastly, Tebow will let you down; you and everyone else. The gross misunderstanding of the general public is that Tebow is claiming to be better than everyone else by proclaiming his faith. The truth is, Tebow and everyone else on this earth is a sinner, and therefore will sin (Romans 3:10ff) and fail miserably. The difference between Christians like Tebow and everyone else is that they have been forgiven (Romans 3:23).
theanthistemi.blogspot.com
Moffitt: Fame and religion need separation
Should we also discourage gay celebrities from using ther "status" to push a homosexual agenda? Ellen DeGeneres, Rachel Maddow, Rosie O'Donnell, Barney Frank, etc, etc, every fashion show host ever, etc.
Moffitt: Fame and religion need separation
If you look up the definition of irony, it's somebody who writes for a paper that routinely shows off the First Amendment telling Tim Tebow to censor himself. To add to that irony, make this article come out a week after a section of the internet shut down in protest of a legislation that would censor the Internet.
I got news for ya, Mister Moffitt. Tim Tebow has a heck of a lot more right to do what he does than MegaUpload does.
Moffitt: Fame and religion need separation
This article had a lot of gall. Too bad it didn't have any substance to go with.
Moffitt: Fame and religion need separation
I am enjoying myself.
Moffitt: Fame and religion need separation
God is the reason the Broncos are going to the Super Bowl.
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