What do Tim Tebow and Margaret Court have in common? Using their ‘sport hero’ status, they both feel an obligation to preach to those that don’t follow their belief system, and both have also shared their irrational insecurities about their athletic ability.
Separately these characteristics are tolerable but for me when they are combined they are the most frustrating thing in the sporting world.
Note: Before I get into the nitty gritty, I’d like to say that I am not writing this with the intention of offending anyone. I am simply stating my opinion on an issue which has been on my mind for some time. I will try to do so in the most respectful way possible.
Tim Tebow. NFL quarterback for the Denver Broncos and the man behind the popular ‘Tebowing’ craze .
Along with his footballing duties, Tebow takes every opportunity to pray, talk about Jesus, preach and talk about Jesus some more, much like his pastor father.
When Denver wins Tebow doesn’t put that down to his own ability, his hours of training and dedication to learning the ins and outs of the sport. He doesn’t put it down to the hard work of his teammates and coaching staff around him.
No, he puts it all down to Jesus, first and foremost.
Jesus, to Tebow is basically dishing out favours like he’s got a catalogue of I.O.Us from a poker night gone wrong.
He just calls it “being blessed”.
Tebow has made it very clear that his priorities in life put God first. Not family or friends, not his career, not contributing to the world, but God.
Though I think it’s mad to put family second to anything, that part of Tebow’s faith alone is fine.
In fact he’s not the only sportsperson to have voiced this sort of thanks and devotion to their god or their “lord and saviour Jesus Christ”. It’s quite common actually. If it gives them greater self-belief then power to them.
But here’s what I really don’t like.
In the past, Tebow and his faith led him to put his face to a controversial anti-abortion Superbowl advertisement. But more on that stuff later.
Like Tebow, here in Australia our very own Australian tennis legend of the 60s and 70s Margaret Court was involved in another controversial talking point with her passionate contribution to the Herald Sun yesterday.
Expanding on comments she first made during the ALP conference earlier this month Court, now an evangelistic preacher, listed her pet hates about society today.
This included lying politicians, political correctness, the decline of Christian values and the sanctity of marriage, and the inability of gay people to “work” harder at being straight. Her words, not mine.
Court also revealed her insecurity over her outstanding achievements.
Winning 62 Grand Slam titles during her seventeen-year career, she believes that if she had “accepted Jesus Christ, and believed that he came to earth as the son of god, to die for our sins” she “could have won six Wimbledons, not three.”
Just like Tebow, Court believes that she could have cashed in on some sort of points system where more faith equates to more trophies. What a deal!
Don’t you think it’s sad that these two have such little faith in their own ability?
But back to the religiously fuelled, backward political stance Tebow and Court indulge in.
I truly can’t stand when sportspeople and religion get tangled up in politics. It’s never, ever a good look. As the average sports fan all I’m hearing is, “I’m a big successful sport star, listen to me”. Pure arrogance.
Court and Tebow are fine people. They certainly seem polite and law-abiding. It is true that everyone is entitled to their opinion and should be free to practice their religion.
But when you impose that religion on others, use to it to degrade yourself and those around you, while also spreading outdated, oppressive views, you are pushing your luck.
Anyway, my point in it all is this – separate the two vices. In the sporting arena Tebow and Court are/were marvellous.
Just keep your religion and it’s associated political stances private, and let your sporting gift be public. That’s how it should be.
After all, if my brief stint in the Catholic education system taught me anything (besides how to run a Melbourne Cup sweep), it’s that Jesus was all about humility. Or something.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Well lol Andrew I'm sure there are many ,many 'bible-believing christians' who DO actually want to silence Mr Pocock because of his sympathetic views towards gay marriage -christians only believe in free speech when it's not used to show up their own beliefs for what they are and be blessed :-)
Doug
Guest
I've been watching the NFL since the early '90 and there have been genuflectors and kneelers for all of that time. When I first saw players going through their religious post-doing-something-good routine it irritated me too. But I have come to accept it is just part of the game. Some players spike the ball and shout "How good am I!?" and others pray to shout "How good is my god!?". If it helps them play better good for them. However I wonder what the reaction from the masses will be to the first player to credit their homosexuality for giving them their ability to play real good. Not sure what the celebration would be but I am sure it would get a lot of youtube hits.
jason8
Guest
Personally i dont see the reason to respect or be polite about anyones religious views any longer.... people who subscribe to outdated information and knowledge will be left behind. The problem with these types of religious nuts IS that they SEEM quite selfless, humble, law abiding types but when you get down to the nitty gritty they are a bunch of far right vindictive jack boot thugs ready to dish out the ultimate punishment for offences against god.... Like being gay or just not believing in him enough or countless other 'crimes'. For a good laugh check out bill maher or jon stewart clips on youtube about Tebow where the rip him to shreds using nothing but finely sculpted barbs of logic... did you know that over 80% of geniuses are atheists/agnostic - makes you wonder what those terribly well read, educated and naturally gifted ( through natural selection) people know that the single minded bible bashers dont ?
Tom Storey
Roar Rookie
I don't want to be preached to about Pespi or Coors Light, but they pay for the right to do so and therefore are allowed. As an Australian fan, you don't even get the US advertisements, but if Tebow is used to promote Christianity as his belief that's no different from Aaron Rodgers promoting State Farm as his preferred insurance agent. They're all there to do the same thing. If you're smart enough to make your own decision about insurance, I'm sure you can do it about religion. Tebow certainly isn't the first sportsman to ever thank God for his achievements, and you really need to look a lot further into American football culture if you think he's the only one doing it. I'd suggest you start here: http://www.nfl.com/videos/baltimore-ravens/09000d5d8264b360/Ray-Lewis-postgame-speech
Matt F
Guest
But using correct puncutation, and capital letters, are all part of spelling words correctly.....
mds1970
Roar Guru
Like I mentioned in my post yesterday, I don't believe that Tebow's wins are affected by his faith; or that Margaret Court would have won three more Wimbledons had she been a Christian at the time. There are Christians with no sporting talent whatsoever. There are Christians who play in losing teams. There are Christians who lose games to non-Christians. God isn't interested in rigging sports games. If your.motive for becoming a Christian is to achieve sporting success, or to become wealthy or successful, you're wasting your time.
willjohn
Roar Rookie
Many years ago Margaret Court beat Betty Stover of The Netherlands for the Australian Open and went on to thank God for helping her. Stover's comment was "I don't think that's fair. I always thought God was for everybody."
Gob Bluth
Guest
Stay away from that shellfish Charles, lest you be damned to eternal damnation......
The Truth Hurts
Guest
I'll think turbodewd will wait until Christianity gets its facts right, after all its been wrong for 2000 years (creationism any one?, world 5000 years old?, etc). The Bible is bound to get something right sooner or later. " 500 years ago, ‘science’ explained that the earth was flat " It might have, but staying true to scientific method, once new evidence came along the theory was change to suit it. You see, this is the main difference between religion and Science. Religion sees it self as infailiable, while Science will change and conform to whatever new facts or insite (gained by repeatable experimentation) that is provided. If you yourself have got a problem with any scientific theory feel free to challenge it so long as you can back up your assertions. I bet you couldn't do that down at your local church. So if you’re going to criticise Science at least get your facts right! Unlike religion it actually deals with reality.
joe blackswan
Guest
yes but science, unlike christianity, does evolve and acknowledge when it is wrong and constantly searches for fact and understanding of why things are. Pretty basic stuff you know. I must admit I do like the sound of this new christian religion where Jesus spends 40 days and nights in a whale, that is way cool.....better than when that dude shags his own daughters (Genesis 19).
kovana
Guest
Refer to below post. Dont give a hoots about apostrophes, nouns etc... Only thing is at least spell the word correctly.
joe blackswan
Guest
John, yes, I will correct you because you are wrong. I find it ironic that you say that I have a "very primitive black and white worldview"....do you see the irony? Religions, a man made construct, that is thousands of years old that states you have to worship a said god or you are considered less human; and you must follow a particular way of life....you are aware that in christianity (see original 10 commandments, not the altered catholic version) that women are on par as chatels and farmyard animals? Have you heard of the Age of Enlightenment (starting in 17th century)? granted, this too was a long time ago. do you know what apostasy is john? How do these children feel when they want to leave their religion? what if your child is gay? John, if someone wants to to go down a religious path under their own steam because it offers them guidance, comfort, happiness then I have no problem with that. "As for your final point, why does death, bloodshed, hatred, spite, ethnic conflict, survival of the fittest go against “human nature”? Do you not believe in biological evolution, or have you merely been fed Disney movies for the last 27 years?"...hmmm, I am not sure if you are trying to twist my comment about dodgy backpacks or if you are not bright enough to understand what you are saying. We humans were at one point swinging in the trees as chimpanzees...we evolved into neanderthals and then to the homo sapiens we are today (yes, I have missed many stages)... man left africa and travelled to all parts of the world, they did so in groups, they nurtured and protected those in the group, thus the group survived and thrived....when threatened they would whack each other over the head with a tree branch or rock. Fast forward a few years, we have evolved into full societies whose members are capable of reason and logic; to live and let live. When someone tries to manipulate another person to think and behave in an unreasonable way, this goes against human nature....and is not a case of "survival of the fittest", you could argue it is "bloodshed" and "ethnic conflict" but these are not inherrited human qualities. Regarding Tebow speaking publicly about his love of god, so be it....when he starts telling others how to act because that is what his religion preaches, it's inappropriate. Religion would be better if it acknowledged some of their ideologies are out dated in terms of human decency and made changes accordingly. (Joe 27:01:12)
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't care what people believe in but think it's annoying every time Tebow makes a production of himself whenever he throws a touchdown. I can't help but feel it's more about drawing attention to himself than to his god. It's nothing against his religious views, but he could quietly say a prayer if he wanted to without all the showboating. Would Jesus care one way or the other ? I have a few questions : If Tebow thanks Jesus for every touchdown pass, why doesn't he shake his fist at the sky every time one goes to ground ? The conclusion is that Jesus helps him throw the good ones but Tebow's on his own for the duds. Does that mean Tebow is really a terrible athlete who has Jesus helping him out a couple of times a game ? Would Jesus have granted Court her extra 3 Wimbledons if she had "found" him or did he withold them because she didn't ? Is that why I'm yet to win Wimbledon ? If Court and Tebow played tennis, how would God decide who would win ? If God and Jesus and all the rest are such sports fans would a Christian v Jewish v Muslim v Hinu, etc World Cup / Olympics / It's a Knockout decide once and for all who is the one true god ? Better way to decide than having a war.
Lucan
Guest
We need to accept that Tebow and Court are Christians first, and a pro footballer and former tennis great a distant second. Tebow's first duty is to spread the word of his lord, football has given him an incredible platform to do this from. I suspect if he didn't have football, he'd be handing out flyers in shopping centres or door knocking. Court is the same story, her church spends $$$ producing and screening their services on C31 weekly. If she weren't a dial-a-quote for the conservative media she'd still be spreading the word of her lord in all the ways she can. The opening para of the article should be more along the lines of: What do Tim Tebow and Margaret Court have in common? They're both obligated by their religion to spread the word and encourage conversion to those that don’t follow their belief system. By the way, they're both sports heroes.
Chris
Guest
Um, turbodewd - it's actually a current religion that started around 2,000 years ago. Maybe you weren't aware that around 2.2 billion people call themselves Christian TODAY. And it was Jonah who was in the whale, not Jesus. The science can explain almost everything is a common argument and is pretty suspect. 500 years ago, 'science' explained that the earth was flat. Up until the last year or so, the theory of relativity stated that nothing can travel faster than light - now that looks like it's also incorrect. Science is not complete, absolute or fixed. If you're going to criticise Christianity at least get your facts right! Pretty basic stuff you know...
Matt F
Guest
It is a proper noun which must always start with a capital letter. Also your last post should read "It wasn't" as opposed to "Its wasnt."
kovana
Guest
"Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in a giant whale" Lol.... Made my day.
kovana
Guest
Hmm.. Saying things that were never said sheek.. Just like another poster who stated that Tebrow said 'he was superior to other athletes due to his faith'.... He never once said that. Thats it sheek.. Go to the corner and start praying. Pray that Vichy never returns.
kovana
Guest
Dont really care for apostrophes. I do however care about the gross misuse of letter substitution.
kovana
Guest
Why? Its wasnt the first word in the sentence now was it?