As Christians, does Tim Tebow embarass you?

[Taverner]

If I were still a Christian, I would see him as a complete idiot, embarrassment and bad PR for my faith...

[Bogart]

1. I'm not a Christian, but I don't see why they would be embarrassed.

On the contrary, I imagine that they are rather proud of Timmy-bo.

[one_voice]

2. I consider myself a Christian...

in that I do believe there's a higher being. I don't necessarily believe it's who/what the Bible says. I also don't take the stories from the Bible literally, I think they're teaching stories.

My mom, always said the Bible was written by men for men and open to their and our interpretation. She also said it was written by simple people for simple people.

But to answer your question...damn right he's an embarrassment and I consider him a complete idiot. I'm sure that God(dess) has much more important things than make sure he's a good QB.

I hate when people use God/religion to further their cause. Just like when religious groups come a knockin' tryin' to sell their version of God/Jesus, like s/he's a vacuum cleaner or a set of steak knives.

[Enrique]

3. on a related note, watch Kurt Warner draw Jesus

&feature=player_embedded#!

[arely staircase]

4. yes

[madamesilverspurs]

5. Tebow? Not so much. BUT

as a native of Colorado I'm disgusted with all those people who persist in assigning divine providence to ANYthing that meets with their approval (like what they're doing with Tebow) -- THEY are stomach-turning. Wanna abuse kids? Call yourself Focus on the Family and shred the Bible to make your case. Wanna have lots of money? Stick Jesus/God's name on a TV show and peddle yourself to the gullible. It's all the same shtick. And I have a sneaking suspicion that no deity is pleased with having his/her name so used.

[ThoughtCriminal]

8. They really don't understand

What "do not take the Lord's name in vain" means. Hint: It's not just about swearing.

[markpkessinger]

17. Indeed.

I heard a sermon once by a wise, elderly Lutheran bishop. His topic was specifically the Ten Commandments. He said that of all the commandments, that one was the one he got the most questions about, usually from earnest folks worried that their spouse's/child's/parent's/other loved one's habit of casual cursing put them in violation of that commandment. The good bishop averred as how a habitual speech pattern of swearing might not be the most desirable thing in the world, that it might not make the best impression on folks as regards one's social refinement, education or etiquette. But, he noted, there is typically little or no intent behind it. It is, in most cases, merely a speech pattern, largely devoid of any particular substantive meaning. He went on to say that what did, in his opinion, constitute a violation of that commandment was the appropriation/assertion of divine warrant for things that are really nothing more than the vain aspirations of humans. That has stuck with me ever since.

[Taverner]

19. +100

[arely staircase]

20. no, they don't

making a big public spectacle out of invoking His name as per football is about as "in vain" as it gets. Ever notice how funamentalists who go on and on about thir "personal relationship" with the Lord, don't seem to know what personal means? They seem to think it means as public as possible.

[DannieJoy]

21. So explain

Enlighten us

[Taverner]

34. Focus on the Family is a Pro-Child Abuse PAC

Just like NAMBLA, without the stigma

[MisterP]

6. yes, but also as a mammal, a resident of the Western Hemisphere, and as a member of the Milky Way

[TexasProgresive]

7. Not really

Since I don't know who he is or what he says. I did see that he's a football player so that's suppose to make him a guru on matters of faith and morals. Don't think so!

[Irishonly]

9. Is he the football person?

I don't watch a lot of sports. Is he the guy that drops down on one knee? I find him immature and silly. I was always taught you didn't need to scream or make a scene to show Christianity. If it floats his boat, he can knock himself out. I don't think he would care what I think though. LOL

[WildEyedLiberal]

10. Meh - not "embarrass"

But then again, I am not an evangelical and I share so few of Tebow's beliefs that it's not possible for me to identify with him enough to be "embarrassed" by him. I think he's probably a decent guy. I hope he doesn't realize how obnoxious his neverending evangelism is, because if he does and he persists in his in-your-face presentation of his faith anyway, then he's missed the whole "humility" part. Jesus says to pray in secret and not on the street corners where everyone can hear you, like the hypocrites do - the more I read the Gospels the more I am struck that the loud evangelical right-wing Christians are cut from EXACTLY the same cloth as the Pharisees that Jesus couldn't preach against enough.

[DannieJoy]

25. Agreed!

That is all..

[HappyMe]

11. No, not really.

If he wants to kneel for a moment, that's his thing. I think it would be more embarrassing if he did all this kneeling & praying if he was a complete asshole in real life. I don't know much about the guy's life outside of football, but haven't heard of any nastiness.

[Taverner]

13. It's hard to be angry when life serves you a 12-course meal on a silver platter...

Not to say people haven't overcome that obstacle...

[Sal316]

12. Tebow? No. His 'fans'? Yes.

Honestly, even though I think he comes across as preachy at times, there is an honest sincerity in him that's missing in most public Christians. I'd put him in the class with people like Kurt Warner and Reggie White.

[kwassa]

14. Not as long as he is winning.

that is a joke, for the humor-impaired.

No, Tebow doesn't embarrass me. I don't agree with his theology, but after reading a long profile on him I think he does his very best to be a Christian in the best sense of the word, in terms of devoting time and money to charitable endeavors in a very sincere way.

Whether he wins football games or not, he seems a very honorable guy.

[Bucky]

15. As a Texan, I'm not embarrassed by George Bush...

But as an American, I am. I hope this analogy answers your question.

[onpatrol98]

16. hmm...I don't watch a lot of football or television...

What does Tim Tebow do that should be regarded as embarrassing?

[DannieJoy]

24. He prays

He kneels down on one knee and thanks Jesus for whatever. I do not find it embarassing. Just answering your ?

[onpatrol98]

26. Oh...okay.

No, I don't find that embarrassing. Thanks for responding.

[Taverner]

33. He does it at the most inopportune times - as if to say

"Hey! Look at me! I'm PRAYING!!! I'm a Christian! I'm better than you!!!"

[markpkessinger]

18. Does this answer your question?

[DannieJoy]

23. Yes but...

New International Version
Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Luke 9:25-27

[northoftheborder]

27. I'm ashamed of people using religion to further their....

....ambition. Of people, not the religion. I don't know who Tim Tebow is - must be a sports figure. I don't keep up with college or professional sports unless it is the Texas Longhorns, or tennis. (I know all the tennis players, love to watch them.)

[markpkessinger]

28. I think there is considerable distance between being ashamed ...

... and making an ostentation display in front of thousands of fans.

[DannieJoy]

22. Tebow no, people mocking him yes

Why would a person that prays embarass you?

[Taverner]

30. Matthew 6:5

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

[aptal]

29. Doesn't embarrass me at all...

Why should it, he seems very sincere.

[Taverner]

31. Matthew 6:5

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

32. How can somebody I never heard of embarrass me?

I have less than zero interest in football, so this thread is the first I heard of him.

But in general, I don't like those "Fellowship of Christian Athletes" type public demonstrations of piety. It's part of evangelical/fundamentalist culture, though, so for me, it's not even my in-group. Evangelicals think I'm a horrible heretic because I'm for same-sex marriage.

[ButterflyBlood]

35. Not all evangelicals

Some friends of mine are starting a new self described progressive and LGBT-affirming church. In fact one of the co-founding pastors is gay himself. And they are all from evangelical backgrounds and have a very evangelical-esque mission statement along the lines of "awakening people who will embody the love of Jesus in the world". I'm also currently going to an evangelical church where I've seen at least one lesbian couple at before and HRC bumper stickers in the parking lot. There's no doubt the majority of the church is voting against the same sex marriage banning amendment in November. Obviously mostly 20something evangelicals in Minneapolis are going to be quite a bit more liberal than the televangelist and Southern Baptist crowd, but there are still plenty not like that.

[sylvi]

36. Why on Earth would he embarrass me?

Because he offers a quick thanks to God for his abilities when they shine rather than pridefully taking all the glory himself? Because he appears to be quite humble? Because he's a generous and charitable person who walks the walk of faith rather than just talks the talk?

What is a more "opportune" time to thank God than at the very time one feels thankful? Are Christians supposed to make an appointment with God or with anyone else before they praise Him or something? Are they supposed to clear it with any and everyone else who might be "offended' first before they praise their Creator? "Hold on, I'll try to block aside some some time for you when there are no atheists around. Next Thursday at 10 a.m. sound okay? Right, have your people call my people."

Somehow, I don't think God takes offense at a prayer of thankfulness or acknowledgment of Him, offered sincerely, regardless of the time or venue. Taking offense over a prayer seems to me a uniquely human phenomenon which says more about the offended than the "offender".

[LAGC]

37. Matthew 6:5-8

And 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. But 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. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

(emphasis mine)

[ButterflyBlood]

38. Yeah I was thinking of that but don't see it as a reason to be "embarassed" by Tebow

Nor do I see it as a reason to make as big a fuss about him as some do, which of course only draws more attention to his antics anyway. There are far more pressing issues than a holier-than-thou NFL player.

[sylvi]

39. Jesus was telling people not to pray merely to impress others

as many of the Pharisees of His day did. A heartfelt and sincere prayer may be offered at any time. There is no special place that makes a prayer more worthy within its confines. It has to come from the heart of the individual offering it. Jesus Himself offered thanks to God publicly on more than one occasion.

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

[LAGC]

40. You don't think Tim Tebow does it to impress other people?

Not even just a *little*?

[Union Scribe]

41. Lol, DU's favorite Bible verse

AKA, "Shut up, Christians."

[LAGC]

42. My apologies.

I didn't realize this thread was in the protected Christian Liberals group, I found it through a different link, I didn't mean to lecture or belittle.

To be honest, if all Tim Tebow did was pray during games, it wouldn't bother me one bit.

Its just the mixing of religion and politics that really pisses me off. Tim Tebow chose to participate in that vile right-wing Focus on the Family advertisement during that 2010 Superbowl. So every time I see him making a spectacle of himself on the field, its like a slap in the face, reminding everyone of his anti-LGBT, anti-women's rights political associations.

If you want to celebrate an outspoken Christian athlete, that's fine. I just wish there was one that didn't involve himself in ultra-conservative politics at the same time.

[quaker bill]

43. not as much as George W. Bush

I don't spend my time being embarassed over other people's poorly considered behavior, regardless of what they call themselves. I have been given a sufficient task managing my own path.

Were I so inclined, I would be embarassed over a great many things, only some of which comes from those calling themselves Christian. I truly haven't got the time.