Tim Tebow’s Terrific, Tenacious Testament
I’ve always had a very complex, if not complicated, belief system.
I was raised strictly Christian Orthodox; we, my three sisters and I, attended Sunday school and were thus in church every single Sunday. I was an altar boy for five years. Every week was one more painful exercise in providing my mother an opportunity to tell her friends that I would be a priest. A statement which had me believing I should join the French Foreign Legion as soon as possible. And if I was to run away, I wanted to do so with the Sunday school teacher that always sat in the front row, with the thick, curly locks and very ample bosom, who had me conjuring things during the service that I shouldn’t have been thinking and providing, ahem, rigidity, if you will, to my early religious experiences, that I look back upon with some amusement indeed.
Our priest was always a money-grubbing hypocrite, who never really had much good say about me behind my back–all while enjoying the over-the-top generosity of my father. The Bishop (now Archbishop) was (and remains) a total fraud and a complete phony.
Suffice it to say, I often felt conflicted by the inflexibility of these ecclesiastical adventures and disenfranchised by the hypocrisy inherent. If not for the masquerade that was the supposed goodness of Greek Canadian church leadership–one ‘leader’ in particular appalled me– he molested friends of mine in Toronto and Montreal, but for the fact that at a very young age I questioned everything, the whole God journey wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be.
I just kept my mouth shut and loved God as I thought I should and in my own way; never extracting faith from faith.
My mother, whose own belief system, to this day, remains simple–all God, all the time, was mortified when I once asked her where Cain or Abel found a woman with which to procreate because the Bible listed their mother, Eve, as having been the only available woman.
I was 10.
I thought that after the ambulance left and her regular breathing pattern resumed, the attempted exorcism was unnecessary, however, Mom to this day will not allow a 24-hour period to pass without phoning to ask if I’ve read any scripture.
And I lie almost every time, when I tell her I have. I think she knows this, although I know better than to ask.
Over the years, I studied enough of Buddhism to understand that equanimity and happiness were no less important to them than they were to Christians, but I just couldn’t get past the inelastic nature of my own faith to want to explore it properly. And, yes, the contradiction of such reality wasn’t lost on me either.
Judaism provided the same or at least similar feelings, although I can see where some of my Jewish friends roam the earth harbouring guilt. For what exactly, I’m not sure, but it provided me with a marvelous base with which I navigated ‘Seinfeld’ better than the next mensch.
I still identify as Christian, but I’ve learned enough about other religions and their teachings to know that a faithless life, for me at least, wouldn’t be a life worth living. Perhaps for those that are atheist, or antitheist–as was my hero Hitchens, their existence is rich as it is–or was, though for me, it’d be one left with little value.
It’s not so easy to write or speak about religion or faith today. People have become so utterly sensitive about it. Even when I sign off some posts with ‘God bless’ (the universal God, of course) some of you recoil. Although, I must wonder if this is because we have moved too far away from it, or because we’ve replaced it with something revealingly less meaningful.
Tim Tebow is a phenomenon that likely will not come our way again. A fourth string quarterback that has powered, through talent, sheer force of will–and faith, the Denver Broncos to an AFC West Championship. He came off the bench early in the NFL year when the Broncos were 1-4, to lead the division and win the West title in a season as unlikely to be a success as it was eventually filled with last-minute heroics and heart-stopping drama, which playoff starving Denver fans haven’t seen since the halcyon days of a fellow named John Elway.
It all ended yesterday, when the New England Patriots, sure to be one of two teams to possibly win the Super Bowl this year (Green Bay being the other), captained by superstar Tom Brady, annihilated young Tebow and his equally young Broncos–not just because Tebow was inexperienced, but because Brady played one of the best games of his career.
Nonetheless, Tebow, for me, is a genuine hero. Born in the Philippines to American missionaries, who struggled to provide for their brood, he went to the Florida Gators on scholarship, where he won the prestigious Heisman Trophy and TWO national titles.
At 6’3″ and 250lbs, never in the history of the game has there been a bigger more powerful man play the role of quarterback with such swagger.
And faith.
Tebow is being excoriated by the maggotry of people like former basketball star Charles Barkley and cell waste like far left commentator Bill Maher, for bending on one knee after, and sometimes during, games and giving momentary thanks to God.
This is new? This is inappropriate? This is worthy of the gallons, barrels even, of ink spilled to satisfy the secularists, whose insanity exceeds the far right religious nutters they battle? This is deserving treatment of a kid whose life story should be celebrated and hailed as an example?
When Muhammad Ali, truly the greatest, used to end fights by giving praise “to Almighty Allah” I thought it appropriate and inspiring that a sports athlete, a celebrity in his own right, would do so. Later, when Mike Tyson, truly, one who could have eclipsed the greatest, lionized the same deity for his successes post-fight–and during every interview, I felt the same way. Good for him.
But this is not a good thing today. Tim Tebow is a zealot, he’s a nut.
Just ask the nuts.
Instead of celebrating that a nice, decent, clean-cut kid with a super sunny-disposition and steely purpose would excel in a league loaded with drug-addicted, wife-beating, dog-choking whackjobs–whose indiscretions are not just forgiven, but forgotten almost as soon as the ink is dry on a new contract, Tebow is condemned because his faith delivers him from such evils.
Kim Kardashian, one of the most insufferable people on the planet, is famous because she appeared in a self-made porn tape with a B-grade rapper (that wasn’t particularly good porn, I might add).
The boob brigade of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan rule the airwaves because their nebulous, misbegotten celebrity is something the talking heads tell us we should care about.
Is this really how far we have plumbed the depths of nothingness?
Tim Tebow represents a ton of dignity, honour and respectability. He believes in God and isn’t afraid to show it, while never forcing anyone to follow him or Him. This is a bad thing.
Kim Kardashian believes in nothing but the cult of her nightmarish, out-of-control family, hasn’t a stitch of personal or professional integrity and is the poster girl for the strange alchemy of stupidity and exploitation. And she’s adored.
Who would you rather have your kids emulating?
And we wonder why the media is so reviled?
Tebow time? Absolutely.
And thank God for that.
Hi Alex – I also have a complicated relationship with God. On a bad day I am agnostic, on a good day, Christian ( a faith in which I was raised) David Wolpe a well known rabbi in the US summarized it best for me in his book, indicating the process of searching must go on, and in itself is a sign of faith.
Because some of the most upstanding people I know are people of faith (I feel that faith is so intrinsic to what they are that it is inseparable) I personally believe in a lot of value to having a spiritual life, and, dare I say it, believing in God.
So it pains me to see so much attention paid to Tim Tebow, because he appears to be a really well-adjusted young man just ‘doing his thing’ with, lets be frank, a great deal of integrity and dignity.
I don’t see anything about him that has to dragged through the mud at this point. In fact, couldn’t even the atheists just praise his athletic skills and persistence?
I think all parties should just leave him alone and see him as a rather devoted and successful young person just trying to do his best, and often succeeding.
In some ways, very fundamentalist Christians, by holding him up on a nationwide scale as ‘one of them’ (has he indicated he is comfortable with that?) have invited him onto the side of the crazies, as so often happens. So Maher becomes a sheep and joins the rest of the gang in denouncing him. Too bad for Maher because the alterative narrative of Tebow as just another midwestern kid working hard to get where he is, faith or no faith, does not provide the ‘money shot’ for cynics.
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Complete agreement.
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My problem with Tebow, isn’t his faith its the whole over hype and discussion his openness with his faith has generated. As you say he’s had some great accomplishments, I’d rate him in the top 15 current NFL QBs, probably top ten, but Brady showed why he is in the top tier, whereas Tebow isn’t not worthy of all the talk he gets, not yet atleast.
Not his fault, yes. but sports isn’t the most rational pasttime
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I think Tebow needs some direction and some time to mature. He’s only 24. But if this kid gets a leg up on the position of quarterback, he will transform it.
Easily in the Top 10 most talented athletes in the league and I would definitely put him in Top 10 Quarterbacks.
His running game and throw arm should be considers lethal weapons. And he’s so damn fast for someone so big. A 4/40 and can bench over 300. That’s ridiculous.
I hope the money doesn’t spoil him.
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It’s hard to understand the outpouring of contempt for Tebow in the media, Alex. I’ve never seen the same kind of criticisms levelled at athletes who affect the gangsta pose and appearance (especially prevalent in basketball).
Sure Tebow wears his faith on his sleeve, but so what? He’s not huring anyone, and by all accounts does a great deal of good in his off-time. The tolerance of the left is again revealed to be a sham.
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They are indeed a sham.
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It always amazes me on every award show, Red carpet event when asked, each celebrity thanks God and talks about how blessed they are…
Truth be told do they ever see the inside of a Church any church…
Tebow obviously is a religious fellow that is not afraid to be public about it at all times. He walks the walk, not just talks the talk.
I pondered if this was perhaps due to the fact that football is such a manly man’s game…pity.
The thing I find admirable about Tebow is that he keeps true to himself…something more people should consider.
Great post for a beautiful Sunday afternoon Alex…think I’ll go for a walk now, and thank God for the beautiful view of the mountains and glorious sunshine today…
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Bless you my friend. I quite agree.
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great column,
no matter what ones belief^s system are, they are alway full of questions and doubts and questions.
if tim tebow was a practicing muslim praying to alla would we be having this discussion in msm, i thnik not.
msm has even politiciised a football players faith as being wrong and evil.
this should not be about his faith it should be abou his greatt football games.
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COMPLETE AGREEMENT!!!!!!
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Complete agreement.
But ya know what? It’s not like we’re forced to be fed this celebrity drivel. It’s simply because of celebrity chasers who have too much time on their hands feeding tripe programmes such as ET and the Province and Sun put Lohan’s adventures on the front page.
Personally if she kept violating the terms given to her by a judge, she should be slapped across the head and be told to get it inside her head that this is serious business.
and who the hell was it that took over the entire floor with patients to have a baby, then denying family to see the patients on that floor??
Hell if that was a hospital around here, I’d get into the office of the Hospital Administrator (and Health Minister Who Ever It Is Now) and get into their face if such a thing blocked me from seeing a family member or a friend in hospital while some over the top celebrity has to have a baby in a protective environment.
Too much ga-ga-ing over over the top celebrities that don’t have the real acting talent that you used to see in the movies (you even got a story, even if it was science fiction, rather than the reconstituted junk you see at the movies).
Same goes with TV. Very few if any good TV programs on at least few of them have a good story to follow (or comedy that would have you rolling out of the chair in laughter). Heck with some of the shows 40 years ago you could actually follow the story and want to wait for next week’s episode.
Who can relate to some impossibile Beautiful People competing to get married and being able to go to exotic locales for free?
The only thing worth watching these days are Canucks games, and a bit of NFL football (but not when the Shithawks are playin’).
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I love you man…
I recently caught a show called ‘Party Mamas’ that featured one of Vancouver’s biggest phonies–the worst television I’ve seen–ever.
It made glad my old man was so tough in us and never allowed us to be spoiled. He could have showered my sisters with everything. He could have set me up like it was a walk in the park. Instead, he told us to earn our keep and try to give back to the world that was so good to us.
I think we did okay.
The phonies really kill me.
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your father left you a wonderful legacy
if more parents thougt like your father the world would be a better place
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Thanks my friend. I’d like to think so.
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The phonies can be smelt from a distance. Politics as you know are full of them. You know the kind, the persons who expect things given to them because they’ve had it too easy and yet didn’t do anything to earn what it is they are wanting.
Was brought up the same way. If ya want it badly enough, earn it. But indepence got the better of me, and many times my father wanted to give me things to help when I was starting out but, and I said no more times than wincing and saying yes.
Like yours, was taught responsibility too. If you messed up, you paid the price.
and knew a guy who was “set for life”. To his credit, he did go to school and won himself a degree, but he had a huge head start in business only because his family environment allowed that to happen. He kept goin’ on about his humble start at the bottom, but many of us knew, that was just a story.
Everyone starts at the bottom. This guy had the passcode for the express elevator, while many of us (including me) had to take the stairs! (with sore knees!)
Ya did okay., pal.
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Thanks. Some days…
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Tebow is a fine young man. He is a Heisman trophy winner and a damn fine quarterback. He is also a person of strong christian faith and is not averse to acknowledging that faith. A role model.
ps i did notice and appreciated your poetic alliteration
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One does what one can…it’s Sunday, I wanted to keep you entertained for tomorrow’s serious stuff.
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AGT, I too have had a tumultuous relationship with organized religion, in my case, born again Christians.
I’ll condense this, but all my life I grew up with my parents letting me believe whatever the hell I wanted. The only reason I was baptized was because it was more Danish tradition than religious reasons.
Anyways. In high school I met who would become my first serious boyfriend (at 18 I was a late bloomer when it came to boys, I was never boy crazy like the rest of my peers) and his parents introduced him to the born-again world when he was about 10. Now by that age, I think kids have a pretty good concept about life, religion, et cetera, but since his parents basically rammed their Baptist church down his throat, he was so confused. There were days he wanted nothing to do with Christianity, and others where he decided I was a sinner because I wanted nothing to do with it.
The killer here was his parents, even though they had never met me, had already formed an opinion of me that I was a heathen on my way to burning hell because I didn’t follow the word of Jesus. Uhhh, I thought one of the commandments basically said “don’t judge”? The relationship ended when he finally convinced me to come to church with him and I walked out when someone started “talking in tongues”.
I hear he’s now living in the weeds somewhere with a perfect Christian wife, perfect Christian kids etc. He’s happy. Good for him. I hold no animosity. However when it comes to religion, I want nothing to do with any sort of organized form of it.
Yet, people are bashing Tebow because he doesn’t choose to live his life like most celebrities, catting around with a vial of cocaine in his pocket (yes, I’m generalizing). I know nothing about Tebow, not being a sports fan, I don’t even know if he’s public about his belief system. And now people like Charles Barkley are giving him grief because he is saying a quick thank you to God?
I guess it’s okay to thank God when you win an Academy Award, but not when you score the game-winning touchdown. Funny how that works.
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Apparently…thanks for that!
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I’d like to add a bit to that… which is that in today’s society there seems to have been a merge of three very distinct things:
God, organized religion & spirituality. These are three very different things which in today’s MSM get lumped into one big pile of nonsense. Typically, people these days say “I don’t believe in God, organized religion is for idiots… but I’m a very spiritual person”.
A lot of people say that but very few seem to even know what they’re talking about…. it’s a position born out of what we see around us.
People’s reactions to things they don’t understand is typically infantile, which is what we’re seeing here. Sometimes I wonder if it’s peoples’ guilt, having knowingly abandoned something that in hindsight may have been key in holding the good parts of society together…? It certainly explains the Tebow-bashing, and kudos to him for rolling with those punches like they’re barely glancing off him.
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It’s not so much an unwillingness to believe in God or religion… seems these days orgainzed religion has become, well, almost a business.
You can believe in God and read scripture all you want but you don’t have to go to church or subscribe to a certain religion to do it.
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Yes my dear, and I doubt too many of the “organized” religions would attempt proselytizing you either. That said, there are a lot of very “disorganized” religions out there, you know, the airy-fairy types. Unitarianism might suit you better, but as Ronald Knox noted, the study of comparative religion often ends up leaving us only comparatively religious.
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I’m quite happy just being me. I have no need to belong to any sort of organized religion. I live and let live, if you have a different belief system than me, we can agree to disagree.
However, the moment you decide that your religion is right and mine (or lack of) is wrong, then I’m going to get cranky.
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You have shown great courage and insight on numerous B.C. political scandals and now you are showing courage and insight on matters of faith too – good for you, thank goodness and thank God!
Part of the general public’s problems with displays of religiosity is that so few people understand what is actually in the Bible as well as what is in other religions, and that lack of understanding is compounded by some religious leaders being personally corrupt hypocrites, such as priests who molest choir boys and residential school staff who beat Indian kids to death and bury them with the lie that they were sick.
It probably is too late to turn around such things but meanwhile I for one applaud your attempt.
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Thank you, Doc.
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Dr. J, if you have proof that the staff of residential schools murdered Native Indian children, then you should take the evidence to the police so that they may prosecute. If not, then maybe you should just shut the Hell up. I suspect you are more than a doctor, I think you are an ex-minister of either the Anglican or UCC, who has been making wild accusations that he cannot prove!
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He is not. And I would appreciate it very much that you not dump white hot hostility on other readers.
You just finished a comment about civility. In your efforts to proffer such advice, perhaps you should keep some for yourself. Thank you.
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I should leave well enough alone, but…
A bit tetchy LB (Larry Bennett)? One might think you were an ecclesiastic, a man o’ the cloth, or whatever!
Sorry AGT. I just couldn’t help myself.
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Believe me, no apology necessary…
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As an atheist I respect how Tebow wears his heart on his sleeve. I can admire people’s faith only when they walk the walk.
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Good for you! I think there’s room for everyone. I so admire him.
And you!
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As you mentioned Alex, compared to some of the nutters the NFL has to offer, the ridiculous performances in the end zone after a t.d. or a play of some significance, Tebow’s top of the totem pole.
Hmm, but being born in the Phillipines, how long before Donald Trump starts asking sticky questions about his birth certificate.
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Okay, now that was funny! Well said.
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anybody who takes shots at Christians or other people of faith are deep down actually jealous that their own lives are empty and solely focused on material gain ..
Tim Tebow is a real role model ..and for what he does he’s a hero to me
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Bless you. I think they should honour this kid for being such a role model. I sincerely hope he’s not ever corrupted.
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From one oldman to another – yours is the most sensible comment here. Not calling those we disagree with a “douche-bag” or knocking an entire belief because of one or two losers. Or accusing priests of being pedophiles when they are actually (in most cases) homosexual men who like adolescent boys or heterosexuals who like young girls. Or blaming the vow of celibacy for sexual abuse attacks on students. In 2010, alone there were 48 cases of sexual abuse among Ontario teachers, none of whom were celibates!
I too think highly of Tebow, or anyone who is not ashamed to express their beliefs, even old mothers praying for their sons and daughters. I am always ashamed of myself when in a restaurant I see a fellow diner saying grace before eating or making the sign of the cross at the sound of an ambulance siren etc. Remember, if you seek God, you have already found Him.
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Excuse me Larry, but your comment is as perturbing as disturbing.
You mean to tell me that it’s somehow offside to consider a homosexual that likes young boys a pedophile? Or that a priest who likes little girls shouldn’t be condemned identically?
You are kidding, right??????
An the analogy regarding the teachers union…that doesn’t happen in every teachers union and it’s not pervasive through the teaching profession. However, the clergy seems rife with such insanity and many hide it as opposed to routing it out and killing it.
Very disappointing post by you here, I sincerely hope you can explain yourself.
I don’t care what someone does for a living. An adult that likes adolescents, in a sexual way, is a very, very sick individual, deserving of the death penalty if he or she acts upon those urges. Period, end of story.
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You know exactly what I mean, very few priests are “child” molesters, and I don’t have to explain myself to you or anyone else. My dictionary says that a pedophile is one who is sexually attracted to CHILDREN! Abuse is NOT rife in the priesthood, any more than in other occupations that involve children. I also believe that the Greek Orthodox Church is one of the great religions of the world, outside of some differences regarding the Filioque controversy, that is way beyond the weak intellects of anyone here. Just because you came out of that tradition is no reason for you to denigrate them and drag them through the dirt of scandal, the way you do to the Roman clergy. I guess having an Ecce Homo tattooed on your chest is the sign of the true Christian? Every time you bring up spirituality you and your anti-religionists start up. Sorry to darken your doorway!
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For someone so utterly faithful, you can be a very bizarre, mean-spirited man, Larry.
A fifteen year old is a child. I’m not looking for a legal definition, I’m only interested in speaking the truth.
Any time spirituality, religion, or more specifically, Christianity–particularly Catholicism is raised, you go off the deep end as you have here.
It’s embarrassing and disturbing.
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Larry, ease off the caffiene, its making you crazy…….
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Wow, just……. wow, Larry.
I think you missed the part in the Bible that says “don’t judge, lest you be judged yourself”.
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Alex:
A very interesting article for me at this time in my life. As you will read in my book, my brother died by my hand in a hunting accident. When growing up, my mom would send me to any church where someone would come pick me up at our roadside by our farm on any sunday.
When my brother died I held onto God for sanity sake. Then again in 1997 when my son was killed in a work related accident I held onto God. But just recently I was saying a silent prayer and when I got to It shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven. I stopped dead in my thoughts and the new thought came into my head, MY God if it is like earth in Heaven, why am I bothering to pray. I have not prayed since. Am I wrong? PS I have carried many crosses in my life, we all have them to bear, some more than others I guess but know not why.
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You’re a very good and decent man Wayne. I Di’s read your book and was going send you a note telling you how privileged I’d felt to read it and how moved I was in the process.
I think the part in th Lord’s Prayer that you refer to that talks about “thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven…” speaks to the Heavenly cannons and traditions (to use the poverty of the English language). In other words, that we would strive to live a godly life.
Not to be confused with God-fearing.
I have failed in both. Repeatedly. But I seek His forgiveness.
Thus far, he’s been listening and forgiving. I feel very fortunate.
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I feel Wayne’s pain and hasten to explain that “on Earth as it is in Heaven” is referring to the glorious era ahead after Jesus returns when life on the planet will be filled with peace and joy and with no more tears.
I’d like to recommend Wayne listen to some Robert Plant songs that deal well with death and enduring relationships with God, especially his last three albums Mighty Rearranger, Raising Sand and Band of Joy.
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I see Premier photo op, is now hitting the airwaves hot and heavy this weekend, first an interview with Craig Oliver, then tonight with Wendy mesley , too funny , you can tell she didn’t know the camera was on her yet, then when she did , her classic phony baloney, smile from ear to ear, what an actress !!!,
God is this province in trouble !!!!, what a contrast after seeing the movie Iron Lady….
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Yes, she’s in full court press for an early election, trust me.
She still doesn’t get that she needs to govern and drop the perkiness.
So pathetic. We’ll talk about all that tomorrow.
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I’m suprised SHE isn’t trying to take credit for Tim Tebow’s fortitude…
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Okay, now out of any comment on this stream, THAT, was damn well hysterical.
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Well written; well said, with courage. My compliments!
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Thank you; I appreciate it, with gratitude.
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It’s funny, but when I was growing up my mom wanted me to be a priest. I couldn’t picture myself celibate for the rest of my life, so that was one of the main reasons I didn’t seriously consider it. In a message reported to be from the Blessed Virgin, and I admit there’s no way for me to prove that the message was genuine, she said we shouldn’t judge our faith by our priests. I think this is good advice.
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Indeed. Considering….
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Ahem.
God loves Eli Manning, too.
Giants will repeat as Super Bowl champs over the Brady Bunch. Again.
You read it here first.
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Yes, well, I cannot believe how many dropped and missed passes the Packers committed and Rodgers was ordinary, to be frank. Tough to watch and even tougher to fathom.
I’m not sure about Manning. He’s not in the same form as last year and I think if all things considered equal, Brady is firing on all cylinders with the Patriots looking very sharp. My money’s on them.
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I’m sorry Alex, I cant agree with you on Tim Tebow.
While I love the “underdog” aspect of his achievements and the excitement of the games. I just shake my head when ever ANY athlete thanks God for winning a Game of SPORT.
With all the misery, evil, and real suffering going on every second of every day on this planet. Not to mention that if God does exist, God will also be busy dealing with allthe other stars, planets, people? in the universe.
Do we really have the arrogance to expect that God, Allah, Bhuddah, whatever has 2 milliseconds to spend on an NFL 4th string quarterback?
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I’m not sure if they’re thanking God for winning a game; just for being able to perform at a high enough level to facilitate winning.
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Your statement is fair. I agree with your observation. I just looked at it from a different point of view… no biggie. Next stop. Superbowl
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I think they’re thanking God for being able to perform at a high enough level to facilitate winning.
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
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Quite agreed.
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I don’t critisize those who want to believe, I just have pity that you got sucked in. Religion is used to control the same way the Bilderberg group now control, through fear and guilt. I’ll end with a quote from a recent ad “There is no god, get over it”.
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I don’t feel at all sucked in.
Just a little despondent from time to time. I’m glad I believe.
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Thanks for caring, Ron. I don’t feel sucked in either. My faith in God is my decision based on several influences throughout my life. I recommend your pity would be better served by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless etc. There are many wonderful groups doing this in God’s name.
Religion has been used to control people, This doesn’t disprove the existence of God.
But if an “ad” says there is no God— it MUST be true.
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a favourite quote of mine:
“So I asked this God a question
and by way of firm reply,
He said — I’m not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.”
Wind Up – Jethro Tull – from Aqualung
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I prefer to believe
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If someone wants to believe in God, Allah, or Bilderberg, how does that affect you directly?
It doesn’t.
Everyone has a right to believe or follow whatever doctrine they want. If they’re trying to ram it down your throat, well, that’s a horse of a different color. However, I don’t think the guys standing on the corner with the Watchtower are forcing you to read it, are they?
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But they riot when a coach is fired in a child sex-abuse scandal and people still fawn over OJ Simpson. I, like you, am not overly religious but there are times when I look around and wonder when the floods are going to come.
The world could do with a few more Tim Tebows and a few less Charles Barkleys & Bill Mahers.
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Complete agreement. Very well put.
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In the dichotomy of the big three religious beliefs lives love, pease and kindness that we should all aspire too .Unfortunately in those same big three religions is also a powerful toxin of intolerance , bigotry and hatred . I for one choose to never follow any of these ideologies . As far as Tebow , massively talented , surrounded by extremely gifted athletes and unbelievably lucky as far as top ten or fifteen of all time ….not even close . …….Cheers
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The Bible says the whole world is deceived and some of the comments in this thread help re-prove that! But it’s wonderful that many other comments prove to be exceptions. One key factor that few seem to realize (but which Alex apparently does) is that Satan has polluted many of the “organized” religions, maybe even almost all of them. The people in them may be well-intentioned, even their clergy, but most of them just do not get what was intended in Exodus 24:7. The Bible speaks favorably of such religion only once – when it adds the word pure. One wishes more people would understand that Satan is on a mad mission to try to thwart God’s good and loving plans for mankind which includes distorting theologies but the good news is that Satan will lose. Or as Robert Plant now sings: “Satan your kingdom must come down.” Amen, and come Jesus.
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This passed through my twitter feed this morning and I thought I’d share with all my fellow Alex readers..I found it an excellent post.
On another note Alex, I hope your Dad is feeling better..he’s in my prayers..
TheTweetOfGod God
The Washington Post’s Sally Quinn offereth up a meditation on God, Tebow, and My glorious Last Testament: tinyurl.com/74296y7
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Sorry I was hoping my Tweet from God had a direct link.. for those that missed the link..
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/tim-tebow-living-my-religion/2012/01/16/gIQAcOuH3P_blog.html
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Hi Alex,
Maher was mildly interesting when he stood up on TV and made controversial comments just after 9/11. He appeared to be someone not afraid to express his opinion publicly.
But in the end he just turns out to be a shrill noise.
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He’s mentally ill.
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Thanks for your reply Alex. I needed a little boost.
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Anytime pal, anytime…
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I once heard Hitchens say something in a disucussion of religion that makes me think the label “antitheistic” isn’t exactly right (inexact quote follows):
“I have no problem with you playing with whatever toys amuse you – just don’t bring them into my house and insist that I play with them.”
Would be kind of nice of more people lived by words like those.
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Fair enough.
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I have considerable sympathy for your argument here. The best spiritual role models I have known from several faiths could be recognized together for their clear, shrewd and peaceful eyes.
On the other hand, the most dangerous person in the world may not be a corrupt politician, but someone who believes he knows what God wants, and convinces others.
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You’re a good man, Merv.
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My impression of Tebow is that he is humble in his faith. I will guess that the following verse may well describe him and his faith.
Philippeans 4 10-13 (NIV)
Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength
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Bless you, very nice.
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All of the above reminds me of an incident in my life.
Thirty five plus years ago, one of my university classmates, who was known to be several degrees more religious than the rest of us, blindsided me with an invitation to a “Grey Cup Breakfast”. Caught up in the usual fever, I accepted. I can’t even remember where the event took place, but the sausages and scrambled eggs were pretty good given what students were used to eating.
After breakfast, there were, of course, speeches – and I realized that I was in a room where I was very likely the biggest heathen of all! Football players, coaches, general staff of the CFL, and then an assortment of individuals from other sports- all gave their testimony to their Christian beliefs and their faith in the Lord – and since I wasn’t driving, I just poured another cup of coffee and kept smiling. Mom didn’t teach me to be religious, but she did insist that I be polite.
One of the speakers became more famous as time went on – he was at that time coach of the Peterborough Petes. Later on he moved to the NHL, and today there is a statue of him outside Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Yup – Roger Nielson was a deeply religious man who wasn’t afraid to express his beliefs in front of a crowd, but I don’t remember the press getting on his case about it.
Just thought I’d tell you about that.
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Classic! Thank you for sharing that. Very good.
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Go Tebow Go, its a free world and my family sacrificed many lives in WW1&2 to ensure we have freedom of religion. Good post Alex. I didn’t see the game, but when we heard the Patriots won, my wife smiled and said, “thank god” and we laughed. I’m with Hitchens and Co., which leaves me cheering good football and a good kid with a great work ethic. I hope he’s not asking his god why she didn’t favour him on Sunday.
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A couple of points to consider, Alex.
1) I think the mocking of Tebow comes a lot from his passing stats, which are definitely outside the norm. The surprise was his ability to win games with such poor completion percentages. It was like there was divine intervention helping him win, and his thanking God added flavour.
Think of how the “Immaculate Reception” would have played if either Bradshaw or Harris spoke of Jesus all the time.
I simply believe that his religion is his own personal thing and the fact that TEBOW keeps referring to it makes more of a story. I know both Ryan Walter and David Booth are highly religious and speak spiritually when interviewed, but they dont take it to the level of Tebow, and thus no controversy.
2) I think more people make fun of Kardashian than adore her, so I disagree that she is more revered than Tebow. She gets coverage because sex sells.
The problem with religion is the leaders who corrupt the message in order to control thought and power over the people. The goal of religion should be for people to develop a personal relationship with God, and not with a relationship through their priest, mullah, rabbi etc.
All religions have the same message. It is the messenger who corrupts it.
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Some very good points. Although both Bradshaw and Harris were quite vocal about religion.
As was Lynn Swan from the same team.
Tebow is hardly over the top with his religious beliefs. I think we are simply progressively becoming pushed into some politically correct box, which is already cracked to breaking.
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