A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. I have witnessed with mine own eyes, the lame walk, the sick healed and the mentally sick by what some may call demons, issues or whatever label you want to put on it, delivered and set free from these things that bind us. I have questions about God just like you do, maybe to a lesser degree because of my experience. I have also experienced the violence against me because I was not one of the ‘In” crowd, the self labeled homosexual who tried to molest me, the proffessor with tenure that robbed me of my dreams because I would not pay attention to his gay ways. It seems like it is alright for everyone else to express their tendencies and leanings and we as a society say it’s ok in the name of freedom of expression. Here is a man that is apparantly harming you, not in a physical way such as sexual abuse or rape or murder, but somehow you feel that he is exposing your insufficiencies. I don’t hate every NFL player that decides to dance on the end zone or spike the ball as a celebratory expression or do the pelvic thrust thing, even though my own lack of talent is exposed that I could never do that. Instead I celebrate his victory and savor the moment. Christians should not have to apologize for their beliefs or non-christians for their lack of beliefs. We all have an app’t with death that we won’t miss. It is at that moment that we will become aware of the truth. I will stand by my experience and no amount of hate can take that away. I applaud Tim for his courage to celebrate his experience. At the end of the day I have no choice but to believe in a God that doesn’t think he’s a doctor, but He is still is in charge of the miracle of healing I witnessed one Sunday morning when a man was release from prison to die in Hospice and he rolls in a wheelchair, breathing from a tube and is now 5 yrs walking and breathing. The science of doctoring did not cure him, neither did the meds from the legal drug companies. It was a miracle from God and I call his name Jesus because that is the name I called upon at that moment when he stood up. The irony to all this is, that I had no idea the man had been in prison as a sexual predator. I truly believe that my lack of hate for all those in my past that had tried to and hurt me helped at that moment for God to use me as His instrument. Those of you that hate Tim, let it go, not because it is unwarranted, but because you will begin to experience the miracles that God has meant for you.

No Muslim football player is bowing toward Mecca in the end zone. And that points to the real problem with Tebow: his ostentatious displays appear disingenuous, manipulative, and self-serving. Public prayer for Tebow looks less like an expression of faith and more like part of his brand. Few would begrudge Tebow his faith if he didn’t make a big show of it.

Tim Tebow is a great young man that continues to work hard through adversity. He has touched more people, even with the “hatred” that comes his way, than most people every will in their lifetime.

Birmingham Homes

I do not hate him. I feel as though he can worship however he likes.
What I do dislike is the notion that there is a god who would give a man TD in a violent game as a gift, while there are people on bended knee continuously to pray for the wounded in war, the hungry, the pained, etc and yet no attention to them and no “TD’s” in that department yet.
I would feel really good about all the stories about him if I could see some lauding of the poor who pray for the poor.

It’s obvious how intolerant all who want tolerance are. Christianity is a religion based on the notion that there is one way to God–through Jesus Christ. That is the central tenet of the faith.

Read my blog: Is Christianity Too Exclusive? It is exclusive in its belief of one God but not in opening itself to all.

Tebow is just being who he is…and somehow that means he is evangelizing the world? It’s a leap that is ridiculous. He is no more espousing who he is than Madonna did last night on the Golden Globes. She could openly talk about Kabbalah (and she has many times) and no one cares. But when it is Christianity, someone how it is offensive –my point exactly and those of you who are offended by the good character of this guy, make my point. You are intolerant of him and what he believes.

Celebrities, sports people included, discuss their beliefs when asked. And most of them are not Christian so this argument doesn’t fly. And last time I looked, this nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principals.

Being who you are is not a put down of others. But the lack of tolerance for a man who tries to be a good person because his faith lives up to what he believes is astounding.

Christianity has been pushed in the public eye way too long. It’s like an infection. You don’t see Muslims or Jews forcing their faith on people. That’s why Tebow’s annoying to watch. People who needs to excessively speak about their faith are usually bigots and intolerant of people’s beliefs. They are inconsiderate of the fact that Christianity is not the only religion in the United States. It pisses people off when these choir boys try to put up a good boy front.

There’s no doubt that Tebow has many qualities which deserve to be admired and perhaps idolized. I would not put anything he’s done in the same universe as something say, Michael Vick or Sandusky has… too soon.
At the same time, almost EVERYONE knows that Jesus doesn’t control the outcome of NFL football games (or anything at all for that matter… neither does Zeus). Him thanking god for a victory is something that to me is disgusting.
It follows that he indirectly is thanking…Jesus… for sending him talent and good fortune, rather than someone else.
*clears throat* Tebow most probably believes that all non-Christians are going to hell. It is quite understandable that the vast majority of the world would dislike him.

Andrew, You make my point for me. Thank you.

How do you make a “pro Tebow” rant and leave out the ONLY facts that matter here…. Tim Tebow is hated not because of his faith in a superstition (although I personally can not take anyone for real who ignores logic and reason and is foolish enough to actually base their lives on crazy unproven fairy tales), or because he happens to be a mild mannered “nice guy”…. Tebow is hated because he is a BAD QB!!! He has no business being on a scout or practice team, nevermind on a roster or somehow, (mainly DUE TO HIS “FAITH” and therefore popularity with a HUGE percentage of fans) a starting QB in the NFL!!
I “PRAY” Tim Tebow gets hit on one of his scared scrambles and has his spinal cord severed…. See how happy and “god” praising all you Tebow idiots are then!!!
I really cant even finish this, the simple reality that im talking to a bunch of idiots who believe in PROVEN LIES AND STORIES!!! Santa is more realistic than ANY God based religion!! WOW!!!!

It is obvious the author is a Christain. All his reason are bogus defence mechanisms.
Nothing is so useless, albiet more dangerous as a theologist. They preach ancient legend and ignore Science. Faith means not wanting to know what is true. When science proves the bible wrong, don’t call it a miracle. Fact:
When food crops evolve into better plants, This is “evolution”.
The Earth is Round. There are not 4 corners.
Noah did not put 2 of all living creatures in a boat bigger than an aircraft carrier. And feed them nothing while the earth flooded. It takes many animals to sustain a breading heard.
People Hate Religous Extremists.

Wow “jesus”. Sounds like you have been wounded badly. Praying for you!

you are all bigots, would you be tolerant of a person who believes the holocaust to be a farce? And yes, I hate Christ, because I am a person not in search of meaning in a world devoid of anything resembling purpose. I’m sorry you aspire to be confined by the rules set by an assembly of dead men.
“And did you trade, a walk on part in a war, for a lead role in a cage?”

would you be tolerant of a person who thinks the holocaust is a farce?

Great comment on a great Christian!

To Dr. Linda, you hit the nail on the head!!! Any other religion being mocked would cause OUTRAGE! To Tebow, you keep standing up for your beliefs! I feel sorry for the “haters” because they know not what they do. They are void of the peace, hope, and joy that can only be fully gained by a relationship with God. I pray that those people will one day come to know the truth. Thank you for setting an example to my teenage son, of someone who is successful, surrounded by worldly views, under a microscope, yet STILL standing up for your beliefs. I hope you never lose sight of Him. I’m sure that when you are far past your NFL years, no matter your NFL experience, your biggest success in life will be your walk with the Lord….you will never know how many people you have probably helped to have the courage to stand up for their beliefs. May God bless you abundantly.

Amen ! well put, the truth as sure as the gospel !

I love the presence of Tim Tebow. I love his exhuberance and his confidence in his faith. He is a big breath of fresh air. It’s the same no matter the age, profession, or gender. Others criticize because they are uncomfortable with their inequities. Just like when my daughter was bullied (she’s cuter, she’s smarter, she’s confident, and the bully didn’t seem to phase her) which all just aggravated the bully more. They now are “friendly”. I hope he succeeds and sways the nay sayers. The evil forces are always trying to sway the good. It’s the epic battle of time. Tebow Time!!! Can’t wait for it each week.

Why are Tebow’s (or any player’s) choice to pray before a game or express his beliefs being taken as a commentary on the fans’ beliefs? He’s not judging anyone or preaching a sermon. He’s expressing his faith. Why is that wrong? As long as he doesn’t earn penalties for prayer during kick off, I say give the guy a break, good grief.

I agree with everyone of the ten reasons. Someone was once kicking someone verbaly – and I said, “when you are kicking someone’s butt where are you standing? – Behind them! These people who are making fun have the problem not Tim Tebow!

Only those who are not Christians or don’t believe are the ones to complain about Tebow.

Hugh, the last thing I would want to do as a Christian is to shun you if you don’t believe. That is not the hallmark of Christianity. Jesus said we would be known by our love. I know, we aren’t always known for our love. We often blow it l.

As for football, I’m not sure how the tradition of thanking God started. I agree – it doesn’t have much to do with football and teams that lose, pray, Christians drop passes and get penalties too! But it is part of the game for whatever reason and my point is for people to stop hating Tebow just because he stands for something positive.

I have the same issue with him as I do ANY player who praises God/Jesus/Allah/Ganesh/whomever when they do well and score a TD, etc…..what does that have to do with football/sports?!?!

What about the praise to a higher being when their team sucks or loses?

It is the ‘unsaid’ and ‘behind closed doors’ nature of religious (in)tolerance that invalidates this argument: devoutly religious people shun those who choose not to believe….like this article….it makes me wrong and miserable b/c I choose to not have a formal religious belief system or b/c I don’t want your belief system shoved down my throat and made to make m feel like I’m some variant of an evil person?

People hate Christ… most wouldn’t say it exactly like that, but they hate anything that puts perameters in what they want to do, anything that makes a value judgement of their own selfishness. I remember seeing just a few minutes of the movie ‘Left Behind’ (not a fan, but that’s not the point)
There was a courtroom scene in which Christians were being judged for being ‘haters’. I thought “that is going to happen in my lifetime” and now it unfolds every day.