Yes, we think that blackballing Tim Tebow from the NFL is kosher and proper. Michael Silver, writing on Yahoo Sports, understands why this is happening but is not sure that it is kosher ("Tim Tebow blackballed by NFL teams because of cult-like following, media frenzy").We think that Tebow violates two major league sports conventions. (1) He grandstands way too much and (2) he broadcasts his religious beliefs in public, even on the field during the game.
In team sports individual grandstanding is frowned upon. Too much of it leads to what coaches call "a circus" around a player. That's a "distraction" and the management in major sports do not want that. By the way, professional wrestling perfectly mocks this aspect of all other professional sports by making individual grandstanding the main component of their events.
We've railed against Tebow's religious expressions since they became widely publicized during his college football career. Why? Because our studies have taught us that a strong element of American public culture is maintaining a separation between your church beliefs and the state of your actions in the public arena - especially in the workplace, in politics and in sporting events. Religious expression is proper in the family and in the church where it plays a role n the celebration of rites of passage (births, weddings, funerals) and in rites of seasonal celebrations (feasts and fasts).
Silver opines about Tebow on Yahoo:
...even though I sort of understand why Tebow is toxic, the fact that he's not even being given a chance to compete for a third-string job is troublesome. And just as I feel compelled to call out the league when it comes to injustices like the dearth of minorities in offensive play-calling roles, the apparent blacklisting of a quarterback who went 7-4 as a starter in 2011 and won a memorable playoff game over the Pittsburgh Steelers doesn't seem kosher to me.Bottom line: We believe that keeping the Tebow circus and religious crusade out of the NFL is kosher. We recommend that he try his hand at professional wrestling.
Tebow, by all accounts, is a hard worker who radiates a relentlessly positive attitude. He has obvious leadership qualities and, as Broncos fans, 2011 opponents and "Saturday Night Live" aficionados alike can attest, an uncanny knack for getting the stars to align in his favor. (Or, perhaps, his deep Christian faith really does translate into things like Marion Barber inexplicably running out of bounds in high altitude. After the weirdness I witnessed that season, I'm not ruling anything out.)...
Is it so wrong to express your faith in public? Celebrating one's faith should not be limited to "celebration of rites of passage (births, weddings, funerals) and in rites of seasonal celebrations (feasts and fasts)." You should thank G-d whenever the spirit moves you.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why people find it necessary to express their faith so publicly in inappropriate places. I mean, for heaven's sake, it's a football game. If he wants to thank his Higher Power, do it in the privacy of his own home after the game. All this is simply grand standing and showing off...like he's holier than thou. Does he think his God doesn't hear or see it if it's not done in front of millions of people? Religion is and should be private, between whomever one believes in (or not) and oneself. One doesn't need to co-opt witnesses to make it any more real. And if one feels the need to do so, I would submit, the feelings are probably pretty darn shallow.
Deleteyou just expressed your belief as well as the author
DeleteI don't understand why people are offended when a young man of faith, takes a knee, lowers his head and points skyward. Grand standing and showing off you say? Seems to me like he is trying to take the attention off of himself and put it on a worthy God! With your reasoning I guess you believe that those of the Jewish faith are grand standing and showing off when they wear a kippah or tefillin?? I guess the millions of people around the world who say a short prayer before eating in a public place are showboating? No one has a problem with the endzone dancing and all the other celebrations that occur in that 60 minutes of sports...but this is a problem? Tebow knows what it means to have a personel/private relationship with God. He also knows he is not ashamed of that relationship, and as an American is free to express that whenever and wherever he chooses. Those that are offended by any of these actions should simply turn their heads, or turn the channel. Thats what I do, and as Americans we have that right. What we do not have is the right to tell a person of faith when and where they can acknowledge the God they choose to worship. It is not Tebow who created the circus surrounding him...it is the liberal media that hates everything this young man stands for. Stay strong Tebow. Be yourself.
DeleteYou'll never understand Christian faith!
DeleteRE: You'll never understand Christian faith!
DeleteWho, may I ask, is this directed to?
It's a sad state of affairs and a sad day when a person is punished because one believes in God and is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Society hasn't blackballed all those politicians in office that are further corrupting America and who decide not to uphold the oath and promises they made in order to get in office. He's just living what he is "A Christian".
Deleteit's a sad state of affairs when they are trying to take faith out of EVERY part of our lives right now.. A football player who "comes out" and admits he's gay is called a HERO by that guy renting the White House.. but a football player who thanks God... is a cutlist.... The Army guy who thanks God is told not to use the "G" word... or face charges... Army Chaplin's are told they need to get "approval" in advance for their sermon in church... oh what trouble they get into if the use the works God or Jesus, ...in school you can be arressted for "Thanking God" or saying a ... Prayer... but you can cuse out a teacher or assult them and not get into any trouble... Yes it is a VERY SAD STATE we are living in right now, all I can say is... May GOD BLESS you all.
DeleteI for one see no problem with thanking a Higher Power for the gifts you have been provided. I watch a lot of football, college and pro, and I see the African-American players praying all the time and pointing to Heaven when they have a good play. Can't white guys do the same?
DeleteYes. At a sporting event "god" does not pick sides. Tebow's grandstanding was so totally out of line. I am a believer but would never rub it "in your face" like he did. He went overboard.
DeleteI believe Tim Tebow should be able to thank God anytime he pleases, as should the rest of us. But everybody has to be so "politically correct" anymore, that it is sickening. It is a breath of fresh air to see someone who is dedicated to and loves our God.
Deleteiagree with you totally. you go tim tebow. if every christian would let the world know about jesus christ our nation would not be in the mess it is in. freedom of speech means freedom of speech. i am a christine and i am proud to say so. our god is wonderful and i am proud to say that to everybody in the world.
DeleteIt's called FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION! You bunch of flucking Nazi wanna be's!!
DeleteI had much rather see a football player thanking the heavenly Father than making a vulgar dance on the field. Which one do the kids use as an example ..... it is not the one I want my kids following
Deletesmjonz ITS TRASH LIKE YOU THAT MAKES BEING HUMAN AND RESPONSABLE ..LOOK SO HARD TO DO.yOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR BRAINS IN GEAr.I bet everyone that has to know anything about you call you cat fish!All mouth and no dam brains.Plus being pretty dam shollow is all you know. So take this freedom of expression and put in where it will do you the most good.
Deletekosher really the jews turn there back on the true lord jesus christ and he said if you follow me they will do the same to you
ReplyDeletedid you just express your beliefs as will as the auther of this article?
ReplyDeleteGod the Father is the creator of the world and of all mankind. It is not only appropriate but our duty to honor Him in all things. The writer of lthis article and supporters of it will have to answer to God the Father for their indiffernces. It is a good thing that God The Father is kind and merciful and will forgive them thier tresspasses if asked. This is just another confirmation of Christian persecution that is happening all over the world today. God is good:)
ReplyDeleteSo, according to the author, he thinks freedom of religion, which include freedom of expression, should be tolerated on when hidden from people like himself. I assume that the author is a person who champions the ideal of toleration of freedom of expression for all others. What hypocrisy!
ReplyDeleteI would like to be polite and gracious, but 'CMON MAN!!!??
ReplyDeleteTim gets ridiculed for his faith to the point of loosing his job, yet someone proclaims their homosexual tendencies and it receives accolades across the press. We are a society which will shortly fall into the hands of those that will put a ring in your nose and lead you around like cattle to the slaughter.
The liberals and liberal media tout tolerance, fairness, et al. Nonsense. If it doesn't fit the narcesistic, Godless lifestyle, then it is "unacceptable behavior". My my!! No prayer, no ten commandments, no display of faith - They are scared of the almighty God, and well should be.
I'm not surprised to find this article coming from a Jewish person. They have been blasted for their religious beliefs for thousands of years and have learned to keep their heads down and mouth shut in public. The sad part is they expect other people to cower down like they do.
DeleteI am a "Gator" fan I have followed Tim T avidly I think he is extrordinarily good at whst he does. I assumed that his sideline religious performances were within the bounds of grstitude for his talent. He feels that what he can do is God given. Who can fault him for expressing gratitude in public?? I find the "blackballing" to be reprehensible. Go Tim!!!!!!!
DeleteTzvee,
ReplyDeletePublic displays of one's religious belief have been part of American culture for hundreds of years. Your grasp of American religious history may be lacking.
That we Jews often do not do this is not a reason to criticize Tim Tebow.
And notice that I wrote "often," and not never! Chabad is quite public...do you write blog posts railing against them?
It is not appropriate to express your religious example in a captive audience situation like a football game. All religions prefer privacy as opposed to public demonstration (except Muslims of course). Of the 2 dozen or more world religions and their 300,000 worshiped gods, including Christianity, should not try to show off. We know for a fact that all gods were created by man to explain the un-explainable. Ok, leave it at that. If Teabow or any other athlete wishes to give his thanks to some god for completing a pass, make it less demonstrative and thus less interruptive (in addition to looking sorta stupid). Touchdowns are a result of one man out running many to the end zone, nothing more. There can be no assistance from a fictional being that has not appeared once in the over two million years of human existence, and to try to show off like that is flat embarrassing. You believe in it, OK just keep it private or within the walls of the temple or church or cathedral, not on the playing fields of the world. And here is the USA where less than 20% of the populace practices Christianity, it is certainly out of place. However, if Tebow has the necessary skills to play NFL, then he should be hired and let the coach tell him not to Showboat on the field.
ReplyDeleteWell Charly you sound like an ATHEIST. You and people like you are whats wrong with this country today. You want to take GOD out of everything and every place. Maybe if more people turned to GOD this country wouldn't be in the mess we are today. You all praise a guy if he comes out and says he's homosexual he's a hero. Well he's NO hero and he just like you will stand before GOD one day and give your account to GOD why you cannot praise him. I for one will praise GOD until the day I go to be with the LORD forever. Have a nice eternity in that other place(Hell).
DeleteWell you certainly seem intolerant. Atheism is just as much an acceptable choice as any other religious belief. If you believe in God that is your choice but that does not mean that you can impose your beliefs on others. Having said that, why does it bother people? Tim Tebow isn't trying to convert you.
DeleteWhat is captive about a football audience. They paid to be there. The players are paid to be there. TV audiences can switch channels. No one is held hostage at a football game or any event.
DeleteMaybe he should have been GAY, then he would be a HERO!!!!
ReplyDeleteSeems so!!! We go from on extreme to the other.
DeleteWow, who would have thought the day would come when people could curse up a storm or be practically naked in public and few people are offended. But when a person says God or Jesus in public people are offended like that's profanity. Hmmm Something is wrong with this picture. Oh! No it's not, it says this was going to happen in the Bible...oops I meant that book that talks about God...oops again I meant the man in the heavens you know him. Good is evil and evil is good. Really!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the first Muslim sports star to start spreading truth amongst the lost!!!! Insha Allah....
ReplyDeletethe sports all will be condemmed from Christianity so that we can "BLAST" other teammates and do nasty dances in the end zones, which people cheer....BUT, to thank God for a good touchdown or winning a game is wrong....People, you are ignorant.
ReplyDeletePeople should read Michael Hoffman's expose of the Talmudic Judaism, Judaism Discovered: A Study of the Anti-Biblical Religion of Racism, Self-Worship, Superstition and Deceit. You could also read Dr. Israel Shahak, himself a Jew and IDF officer shattering expose of what Talmudic Judaism really teaches. It is free on line, And called "Jewish History- the weight of 3000 years." Talmudic Jews are the neo-fascists of the present age. Something that is 'kosher' is merely approved by Lucifer, it has nothing to do with Moses and the Teachings of Jesus Christ, the real Messiah whom the Jewish Rabbis had murdered. Jesus Christ utterly condemned the Oral law of the Rabbis, now known as the Talmud.
ReplyDeleteI simply do not understand why this is only an issue with Tim Tebow. Many sports figures do this very thing and it is never mentioned let alone cause for this kind of reaction. Grandstanding would really apply more to the likes of Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens in my opinion. They are not excommunicated for their behavior.
ReplyDeleteThe Jews hated Jesus (the Messiah) and you still do. I believe you people are still waiting for your Messiah. He was supposed to come from the family of David, Jesus did come from the line of David. Tell me, what Jew today knows that he comes from the family of David. None. Wake up
ReplyDeleteanna
I wear a cross around my neck and say a prayer of thanks before every meal(even in public). I bow my head and say a prayer every time an ambulance goes by. Is this now considered grandstanding?
ReplyDeleteTebow is merely doing what billions of Christians do every day - acknowledging God for equipping us for our achievements.
Its the media that has focused on Tebow, and turned it into a Big Damn Deal. Its not really a big deal at all.
I am really tired of people forcing their religious beliefs on others. Really ... it is offensive. You may say it is brave, but it simply has no place in public behavior in situations in which it is not the norm. Pray publicly in church? At a memorial site of a tragedy? Absolutely. At a football game? Completely inappropriate.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Tebow - I found his "Tebowing" to be nothing more than "Teshowing." It was showing off so that people would say what a great guy he is, how wonderful he is, how pure and good he is. You wonder how he got a reputation for grandstanding?? If he merely wanted to pray before a game, he could do that in the locker room. Funny how he always seemed to do it whenever the cameras were pointed his way. I found it to be the transparent move of a publicity-whore. Also, it actually made me believe his sincerity less than if he had simply said in an interview that he prayed before every game.
Also, I found it offenseive that the obvious assumption was that the "prayer" was to win a football game. Others have said we don't know what he was praying for and that is true. However, appearances are everything and it APPEARED he was praying for a win. And personally, with all the tragedy in the world there is to pray about, the notion that anyone's god would give a crap about who wins a f*****g football game is the most offensive thing of all. Seriously ... that any god would stop whatever he was doing to watch over the Broncos or whatever team Mr. Tebow was on at the time??
If he wants to inspire young people in faith, he should become a preacher and sell his snake oil to his devotees. But, get the hell off the field, Tebow.
David D
what is the world USA coming to people nick picks every thing then if we are going to ban tebow from football because he take a knee on the field the we need to stop the miss USA pageant, and all other pageants, the AMA awards, all the music awards, TV awards because they always say i would first like to thank my lord and savorier. If it offends you sorry but what you do might offend me.
ReplyDeleteIt is very rewarding to see a man of faith living his beliefs. A person's spiritual beliefs are a part of their life and should not be separated. Your beliefs shape who you are as a person. As a former elementary school teacher, I wish I had taught more children who had parents who taught their children the difference in knowing what is right and wrong. In my life, I learned how to deal with life's joys and sorrow because of my belief in Jesus Christ who I learned about in church. I find it very upsetting to blackball a man because of his faith yet another man is supported who had dog fights! This man has changed his life and given another chance at football. I think Tim Tebow deserves the opportunity to play. I believe whatever team signs him on will be blessed.
ReplyDeleteYou really think God would not help a believer win a game? You do not know much about God. All knowing and before we know it. We may not understand it, but his grace and love is there, 24-7. Just because you do not believe it does not mean it is not so.
ReplyDeleteI guess non believers and people with wicked souls win nothing huh? Allah has destined everything so his black balling is destiny also. On top of that he sucks as a Q.B. and is to arrogant to switch positions so he deserves what he gets....
DeleteFather forgive them, they know not what they do...
ReplyDeleteStop with the Christian persecution and martyrdom. The guy is simply not a good quarterback. He was rated by his fellow NFL players as the most overrated player in the league.
ReplyDeleteHe can run, but cannot throw.
I'm a StL Rams fan and can tell you there is no one who carries his faith on his sleeve like Kurt Warner and he was adored by the fans and respected by his peers. Timmy T is no Curt W.