As one who surrounds himself with the NFL during this time of year, and watching a bit of Tebow play and talk in interviews, I do feel I need to say something. What I get from all of what I've seen of the guy is one who is thankful to God for all the opportunities he's been given and the people who have surrounded and supported him. To me, that doesn't seem out of bounds, particularly since he probably wouldn't have come as far as he has without the help. I don't think he believes that God hands him wins.
He comes across as a guy who didn't expect to be handed things by God, but had to work for them. Others explained it to me as the Protestant Work Ethic. Given how far he's come this season from what he was to what he does now, you don't get there without hard work.
Tebow isn't unique in the NFL. There have been other demonstrative Christians before (Reggie White and Kurt Warner come to mind). Kickers often point to the sky after making kicks. I've seen players gather before games to pray. And yes, I've seen them thank God in postgame interviews. I've never taken it as them using God's name in vain. If they are, well, they probably should be worried about God's reaction when their time comes. It isn't anything to be concerned about.
Kurt Warner did speak about Tebow, and while he does think Tebow should tone it down, it isn't because he feels that he's taking God's name in vain, but because he feels people take his demonstrations of faith the wrong way. You are one end of things, the evangelical Christians are another. Tebow seems to do it for his love of God. And yes, for a lot of us who don't care, it gets annoying after a while.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2011-12-16 04:54 am (UTC)He comes across as a guy who didn't expect to be handed things by God, but had to work for them. Others explained it to me as the Protestant Work Ethic. Given how far he's come this season from what he was to what he does now, you don't get there without hard work.
Tebow isn't unique in the NFL. There have been other demonstrative Christians before (Reggie White and Kurt Warner come to mind). Kickers often point to the sky after making kicks. I've seen players gather before games to pray. And yes, I've seen them thank God in postgame interviews. I've never taken it as them using God's name in vain. If they are, well, they probably should be worried about God's reaction when their time comes. It isn't anything to be concerned about.
Kurt Warner did speak about Tebow, and while he does think Tebow should tone it down, it isn't because he feels that he's taking God's name in vain, but because he feels people take his demonstrations of faith the wrong way. You are one end of things, the evangelical Christians are another. Tebow seems to do it for his love of God. And yes, for a lot of us who don't care, it gets annoying after a while.
That being said, when Sam Hurd gets arrested for trying to set up a drug ring in Chicago, I think the NFL has bigger problems than a guy who might praise God a little too much.