The Front Row

So disliking Tebow, his antics, or hearing a lil' speech having having to do with his religious
beliefs in every interview is bigotry? So be it. I don't take offense at it, I just find it nauseating, To each his own. I could just as easily argue that a lot of Christians, when you don't agree with everything they believe, feel you're persecuting them.

There is a reason I dislike a lot of what I view as "contemporary Christianity" and it's not rooted in intellectual laziness. It's the product of a lot of observation, thought, even reading, believe it or not. I'm not gonna get into it here. Again, it's about venue, this isn't the forum for it. Honestly, I violated one of my rules when I posted on this topic, and I regret it. This is self defense at this point.

This is a total side issue, it wasn't the point of my OP, but I'd argue that there's a much broader definition of "evangelizing" than you imply. Ironically, I think the deeply evangelical Tebows would agree that constantly "bearing witness" publicly is a form of evangelism.

As for that bigot accusation, you mentioned that it's alive and well within religious groups.
I can vouch for that. I've witnessed plenty, some of it pretty shocking. Can I make sweeping stereotypes or paint with a broad brush? No, but I can definitely tell you it was rooted in thier fundamentalist beliefs, so that street definitely runs both ways.

I don't know him personally so I don't know first hand if he is a phony. Can you elaborate onto why he's a phony? Since it appears you aren't chummy with the guy, I'm sure you'll have no problem telling us the details and how you know?

I would personally appreciate it. I don't like the idea of someone doing that publicly.

I guess I just don't think he's throwing it in everyone's face. I see it more as him wearing it as a badge.

I know people who throw it in other people's faces. He's not doing that. I've known people who try to convert everyone. I don't see that with Tebow.

Tebow's open faith has had ZERO impact on my impressions of Christianity. If anything, it may have pushed me away. But I don't think its cause for hatred or animosity.

You don't think drawing parallels to Jesus' crucifixion is a little much???

Could not agree with you more about more Tebows would make the world a better place. There are people/media that can't accept someone who is motivated by higher principles than money, fame, and selfishness.

I hope you and your family can find solace and comfort in your time of loss.

I didn't draw any parallels from Tim to Jesus' crucifixion. Evangelicalism is the cross of Christ. It is because of the belief in what Jesus accomplished on the cross that evangelicals share their faith.

I don't think Tebow is throwing it in anyone's face either. I was just using the terminology other posters were using. I know Christians like that too. People aren't perfect, Christians included.

I'll try and answer according to each paragraph:

I understand why you don't believe you are asking him to be PC. I'm not saying thats what you are doing. I'm saying that having a problem with someone openly talking about faith is really no different than having a problem with someone for not being PC. As much as I don't have a problem with Tebow's faith, I also would have no problem with a private industry putting a stop to openly talking about it. I really don't care and if the NFL determines that would be in their best interests than so be it. You won't hear me complain. I didn't care about Tebow's eye black and I didn't care about TP's. I thought from a public perception standpoint TP probably could have been smarter about it, but it didn't bother me at all. I think if someone brought attention to Trayvon Martin in a similar fashion, it would be ill advised but it wouldn't bother me. As long as these things aren't openly offense. For example, just saying "Trayvon Martin" isn't a problem for me. He could be honoring the kid. But something demonizing Trayvon Martin would be over the line. Equally, TP honoring his favorite player Vick didn't bother me. I'm an animal lover and have real issues with Vick. But someone liking him doesn't offend me. I just think they are misguided.

I think you've finally answered. Its really based on cynicism you've developed about Christianity. Cannot dispute that. I have my own. Although I try not to let that extend to anyone open about their faith. I do think its up to Christianity as an institution to overcome that. I can understand why such cynicism would exist. Although I'm not sure its fair to put that on Tebow. I'm also not sure he's grandstanding but now its debating a matter of opinion which is pointless.

If you think these things make football about something other than football than, IMO you're allowing yourself to get too emotional about it. By your logic, anything drawing attention to yourself takes away from football. So I would hope you are equally as vocal about most post game interviews and most celebrations. In fact, by your logic, the entire NFL is just a circus. If you were that consistent, then I would probably be hard pressed to argue with you. But so far you've really just focused on Tebow.

In one hundred years Tim Tebow will still be talking about his Lord and Savior and I look foreward to shaking his hand.

I absolutely agree it runs both ways. That was my point. People in and out of faith are guilty of bigotry. Of course, Tebow taking a knee or mentioning his faith in an interview is not bigotry because he is not ridiculing other people’s belief. He’s just identifying his.

Furthmore, it seems to me that where race was once the most common division point for bigotry I believe religious beliefs have become even more common way to let bigotry rear its ugly face. It is really easy to ridicule people who don't have the same system of belief as you do. It is infinitely more difficult to be open minded about people and not judge them based off their religious beliefs (even if that belief is not to believe at all). And yes, with Christians it is particularly tragic because when a Christian acts like a bigot, they violate the very faith they proclaim to believe in. Yet, I see it all the time.

I guess I’m just some crazy hippy that thinks it is pretty cool to get to know other people regardless of what they believe about god or the color of their skin. I’m not threatened by that in any way.

Edit: Agreed, the wallet joke was drop dead hilarious.

No worries on my end brother. More than anything I just want to combat the stereotype that Christians are judgemental fundamentalist. Most of the Christians I associate with are open minded and humble. They represent their faith well without even trying. Will they engage you in theological discussion? Sure, but usually only when engaged on the topic. I love talking about theology, but again, that's the hippy coming out in me. I am really fascinated by the history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Many people don't realize that the origins of all three faiths stem from the same story regarding Abram or Abraham's family. It's reads out like a 3-4,000 year old soap opera. Of course what happened with Abraham's descendants and the drama that followed shapes the course of human history and sets the tone for much of the geo-political conflicts that we have today, including the 9/11 attacks.