December 18, 2011

  • On "Tebowing"

    There's a LOT of discussion in both media and "social media" about Tim Tebow and how his last name became a verb for whenever anyone does his now (in)famous Tim Tebow praying pose at the sidelines.  Most people hate it.  Fundamentalist Christians love it.  And people give many reasons for and against. 

    But I have yet to see anyone talk/write anywhere about the reason I really don't like it (and it's what I think is the real reason most people don't like it but haven't put it into these words yet - or so I'm guessing anyway).

    I don't care that he's a loud Christian.  I don't care that he prays at the sidelines.  I'm sure that MANY of the players on that field pray before, during, and after the game.  It's not about the fact that most people don't like that Tebow thinks God is favoring him over all other players - although believe me, that is a BIG factor for me not liking him.  That and the fact that he has also talked about how "evil" gay people are.

    No, the biggest problem I have is that the way he does it does not really have anything to do with the fact that he is praying.  It's the fact that he's show-boating when he does it.  As I said before, many other players are probably praying on that field. 

    But Tim Tebow has to do it in a big Bart Simpson "NOBODY'S PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO ME!!  LOOK AT ME!!  LOOK AT ME!!" kind of way.  He has to make sure that he makes himself the center of attention when he does it.  He has to clear space and give this sort of "IS EVERYONE WATCHING ME??  I'M ABOUT TO PRAY!!  WATCH THIS!" deal every time he does it.

    Some Fundamentalists would say, "Well, that's how Christians should be!!  They should be proselytizing and trying to convert people!  Besides, you gays flaunt yourselves and force yourselves on us."  But what these Fundamentalists consider to be flaunting is if we want to just hold hands walking down the street like any other straight couple might do.  There is a difference between flaunting and doing what heterosexuals do all the time and take for granted they can do without fear for their lives.  But Tim isn't proselytizing when he does it.  He's plain and simple showing off, making himself the center of attention and outright acting as if God must disfavor all the other players.

    Tim, I think God has a lot more pressing matters than your stupid doofball game.