-255x266.jpg "Christian Petersen/Getty Images")
Two weeks into the NFL season, ESPN ran a Sunday-morning special exploring why the third-string quarterback of the Denver Broncos, Tim Tebow, had become the most polarizing figure in American sports — more polarizing than trash-talking NBA behemoths; more polarizing than foul-mouthed Serena Williams; more polarizing than NFL all-stars who father numerous children by numerous women, all out of wedlock. Why does Tebow, and Tebow alone, arouse such passions? Why is Tebow the one whom “comedians” say they would like to shoot?
A hint: It has nothing to do with Tim Tebow’s prospects as a pro quarterback.
For readers who don’t follow the NFL, let me explain that Tim Tebow is a Heisman trophy winner who led the University of Florida to two mythical national collegiate championships. Many consider Tebow the greatest college football player ever, although there is a lot of skepticism about whether his skills will translate to the pro game. He is, by all accounts, a terrific teammate and a hard worker. Beyond these bare facts of his sporting life, however, lie the beginnings of an answer to the question of why so many people hate Tim Tebow with an irrational hatred.
Tebow is the son of an evangelical pastor and spends some of his vacation time working with his father’s mission in the Philippines. He famously wore eye-black with Bible verses inked on it in white during his Florida career, and he is not reluctant to share his Christian faith in other public ways. He visits sick kids in hospitals; he has said that he is a virgin who believes in saving himself for marriage; he and his mother taped a pro-life commercial that ran during the Super Bowl. There is not the slightest evidence that Tebow has ever forced himself and his convictions on his teammates or on an unsuspecting public.
And if Catholics would find his theology a little questionable at points, there is nothing of which I’m aware that would suggest that Tim Tebow wouldn’t be interested in sitting down and having a serious conversation with knowledgeable Catholics about how God saves those who will be saved. A guy who can command respect in the moral and cultural free-fire zone of an NFL locker room (not to mention the Southeastern Conference, which hardly resembles a network of Carthusian monasteries) is not likely to be shaken by a serious conversation about his understanding of how the Lord Jesus and his Father might effect the salvation of those who do not explicitly avow faith in the Lord Jesus and his Father.
No, Tim Tebow is a target of irrational hatred, not because he’s an iffy quarterback at the NFL level or a creep personally or an obnoxious, in-your-face, self-righteous proselytizer. He draws hatred because he is an unabashed Christian, whose calmness and decency in the face of his Christophobic detractors drives them crazy. Tim Tebow, in other words, is a prime example of why Christophobia — a neologism first coined by a world-class comparative constitutional law scholar, J.H.H. Weiler, himself an Orthodox Jew — is a serious cultural problem in these United States.
It is simply unimaginable that any prominent Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Sikh quarterback, should such a fantasy of anthropology exist, would be subjected to the vileness that is publicly dumped on Tim Tebow.
Tolerance, that supreme virtue of the culture of radical relativism, does not extend to evangelical Christians, it seems. And if it does not extend to evangelicals who unapologetically proclaim their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior and who live their commitment to the dignity of human life from conception and natural death, it will not extend to Catholics who make that same profession of faith and that same moral commitment. Whatever we think of Tim Tebow’s theology of salvation, Tim Tebow and serious Catholics are both fated to be targets of the Christophobes.
Wherever the Gospel is proclaimed with fervor, it draws opposition. The ultimate source of that opposition is the evil one, but we know what his fate will be. What we don’t know is how democracy can survive widespread, radical Christophobia.
George Weigel is distinguished senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Weigel’s column is distributed by the Denver Catholic Register, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Denver.
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Good for Tim. I’m sure he knows his scripture, so he probably already knows that Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it hated me first. No servant can be greater than his master.” He one of very few pro athletes who deserves to be looked up to. Thank God he’s using the talents he was given for the glory of the Kingdom, rather than for selfish gain. I hope he continues to live uprightly, and receives his reward for it.
I guess what bothers me about Tebow is that his father’s missionary work in the Philippines has a goal of converting Catholics away from their faith. There I said it. I’m sure he’s a nice guy. I’m sure we would be friends. Except for that point. I don’t mind unabashed Christianity, I do mind this kind of proselytizing.
Kristen, did I read you right? You really “don’t mind unabashed Christianity.” Wow now it get it. Wait, Wait, you don’t like what kind of proselytizing? Oh! Ok I finally get it. All these years I’ve been operating under the delusion that Catholics were Christians. Thanks for setting me straight.
Kristen: I’m with you! I think Tim Tebow is a wonderful, upright, moral guy—a terrific role model, but probably brainwashed against the Catholic Church, which is absolutely why his parents are proselytizing in the Philippines, an 86% Catholic country!
Its the same reason why people hate Sarah Palin. The hate aimed at her is unparalleled.
Its because Christ lives in their heart. Its going to get worse for Christians.
Kristen is right. I retired to the Philippines (my wife is a Filipina) and the aspect of Tebow’s approach of converting Catholics to become Evangelicals aggravates me. Yet, I also applaud his courage and much of what he does. And Weigel’s point is correct: standing up for Jesus, whether as an Evangelical or a Catholic, will not be tolerated in America anymore. Secular power is focusing on crushing Christian “dissent” from its agenda. Crosses are on the horizon although with a modern twist. May more and more Catholics, clergy, religious and laity, wake up and arise to fight this encroaching evil.
Yes Kristen, as a Catholic I’m with you and I thank you for bringing that important bit of info to light…
http://vox-nova.com/2009/08/29/christianity-and-college-football-is-tim-tebow-anti-catholic/ and
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/uncategorized/tim-tebow-the-philippines-and-the-catholic-church/
Tebow is being attacked as Christina mentioned, but it has to be put into perspective. He is the most prominent Christian in professional sports today albeit not a Catholic. Leading by example is the best way to convert souls and Tebow does a good job of this…I know many folks, especially some kids that are beginning to more and more use him as an positive example in not just individual sports play, but more importantly how they live their lives and who they worship, Jesus Christ. Most of these folks don’t have a clue what Christian/Protestant faith Tebow follows. They just see someone who is focused on our Lord. Reading George’s article makes it clear that we must support what Tebow is doing to lead others out of just living their existence in this secularized world. Knowing the NFL and other pro sports organizations are so PC, which parallels much of our society, we must lift up and motivate those who are lost and need assistance even when they don’t believe they need it. Catholicism, as most of you know is the only apostolic faith created by Jesus Christ hence speaks the one and only truth. This needs to be elaborated whenever possible. Moving forward…each and every one of us meets people daily/weekly that can change our lives for the better for which Tebow is doing so on an incredibly big stage. Ensuring that the Catholic faith is appropriately promoted and not propagandized is of paramount importance, but we must do as much as we can to lift up those who have no faith or are critical of ours. As George suggests, Tebow would for sure welcome a discussion on Catholicism and Protestantism. We must not criticize Tebow because of the sins of his father. We cannot allow Satan to win! Us Catholics need to, God willing encourage our laity to be the leaders we’re called to be and heck…maybe we can convert Tebow to be a Catholic. Stranger things have happened.
Mr. Tebow: Hang in there kid… it’s difficult being surrounded by pagans claiming to be Christians and stupid people who believe they’re smart. You aren’t the first martyr for the faith in an insane world. God bless you.
I am not a football fan, as a matter of fact, I am not a sports fan of any type, especially profeesional sports. The greed is mindboggling and the attitudes are even worse. But I do know of Tim and say, “you go Tim!” Besides the greed of those in pro sports, the attitude is anything but professional. Hip hop culture has taken over, violence for violence sake is cheered, pride is something adored, sex is exploited, alcohol drives people to do insanely stupid acts of stupidity and the language is not fit for ears to hear. Professional sports also is a great metaphor for the society we live in, where all the aboved mentioned are prevalent in everyday life. So it comes as no surprise to see a man like Tim Tebow depecited in such a manneras, polarizing?? Give me a break. He is out of step with the culture tha the media blesses. And, do I need say anything about the media. Which brings me to my last point. I am not aware of any teamate or former teamate critizing Tim Tebow for being a Christian, maybe a obscure figure hear or there, but it seems to me the mdeia is the one who has the problem and wishes to lable Tim as polarizing. If you know of or yourself are in a situation where the media is finding you polarizing, you can be sure you are doing what is right and just in Gods eyes, for we know how much the media loves God.
God Bless
Gary
“a terrific role model, but probably brainwashed against the Catholic Church, which is absolutely why his parents are proselytizing in the Philippines, an 86% Catholic country!”.
Were not France and Ireland and Italy Catholic countries? Were there not millions of Catholics in the U.S.? And of these how many attended weekly Mass?
It might be that these countries are in need of some evangelization - even if it comes from the Evangelical side. There is a reason why the evangelicals are so successful in Latin America.
It’s sad that many don’t understand that Catholicism is the ONLY faith started and protected by Jesus the Christ. The Protestant Revolt and all Protestant faiths are MAN MADE!
Catholicism is true and the fullness of Christianity. If you don’t understand that, you’re ignorant of Christ… likely through your own faulty, arrogant, misguided misinterpretations of our Catholic Book the New Testament and full 73 book Bible.
Gabriel,
The reason why Evangelicals are successful in pulling away Catholics, is because Catholics are ignorant and weak in the faith of Jesus. Evangelicals sell a snake-oil version of “Christianity” that sounds good and simple to drink this and be saved! Much of Evangelicalism is utter nonsense, and opposes the true Christ. While the ONLY truths they have came from Catholicism.
Jesus established the Catholic Church, and ONLY the Catholic Church. Heretical men, whether well-intentioned or not, established Evagelical “Christianity.”
The first thing I think of after reading this article and posted comments is what was written in Mathew 7:1-3. How many lives have been saved because Tim walks the walk that God has called us to? He walks in humility, giving to those in need and always striving to be as Christ like as he can. I think the founder of Moody institute put it best when he said “I like the way I spread the Gospel better then the way you don’t” I myself have a long way to go and each day I pray and strive to be better, I only wish that God would choose to use me to reach as he has chosen to use Tim. Instead of worrying about what denomination he spreads the Gospel under lets join together and ask God to let us use our gifts to help spread the word of salvation! Keep it up Tim; you are a great roll model.
Let us all join together and pray for Tim and his family to join the one true faith: The Roman Catholic (not American catholic) Church and while we are at it, let us also pray for our shepherds to be men of God in order to lead us sheep into heaven. By the way, how many of us Catholics are proclaiming Jesus to our fellow men by word and especially by our actions? Bet not many of us. How sad! +JMJ+
If you don’t spread the Gospel according to Christ, that is according to Catholicism, then you’re spreading heresies. Catholicism is not a denomination. It’s the ONLY faith established by God Himself, and protected from error in teaching faith and morals.
All the thousands of denominations were created by men, reject God’s Eucharist, reject His Confession, reject the priesthood established by Christ, reject the papacy which is the prime minister in the Kingdom of God according to Christ.
There is a reason why Christ established and protects ONLY one Church. We men have no valid right to abandon it. No true Christian would reject God’s ONLY CHURCH.
This article didn’t mention a single instance of hatred directed toward Tim Tebow. It mentioned that ESPN ran a segment about Tebow being polarizing. I agree that he is, but the polarization mainly involves whether Tebow, as a quarterback, has a skill set that can thrive in the NFL. (On ESPN and local sports radio, many analysts who question Tebow’s ability as an NFL quarterback first explain that they like/respect Tebow as a person.)
Most of the Tebow hatred I’ve encountered has less to do with his faith and more to do with him being and Florida Gator and has come from people who attended rival schools. I’m sure that there are people who detest Tebow for his evangelical Christianity, but I’m inclined to think that such hatred isn’t nearly as widespread as the article suggests. I do think that statements such as “so many people hate Tim Tebow with an irrational hatred” and “the vileness that is publicly dumped on Tim Tebow” demand at least some hard evidence.
Who hates Tim Tebow? What have I been missing? Are Christians fighting amongst themselves again?
Tim Tebow is visible and vocal about his faith. Big Deal. It that was a reason to hate Tim Tebow, he’d have a lot of company. Lots of jocks think God made them special and pays particular interest to their success.
I might consider the whole idea silly, but I don’t hate them for it.
I suspect that some people just like to feel like victims, so any criticism of Tim Tebow becomes an attack on their faith.
I, for one, look forward to seeing him start. I could care less who he thanks for success or who he prays to in defeat.
My apologies if I haven’t kept up with the continuing sniping between religions.
Tim,
you are a Man!
I enjoy to watch 4th quater overtime.
5-1 is good for the fans right now.I hope you can get a Super Bowl-
for the fans.
pray harder,Jesus will listen to you.
God bless you
Peter
That’s the problem with Protestantism… Protestants tell God what he said. Jesus doesn’t “listen to Tim Tebow”. Tim Tebow should listen to God. Instead, like all Protestants, he’s too busy telling God what He said. It is errant to say also that God is guiding Tim to these things. We just don’t know. It would be correct to say that Tim may be doing what he is because of what he believes. Tim is not a spokesperson for God… because God doesn’t teach heresies… man started Protestantism, not God. God built His Catholic Church for all of us. If Tim were obedient, Tim would be Catholic.
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