Tim Tebow is arguably the most polarizing player that the NFL has ever seen. Not even finished with his second full NFL season, Tebow has captured a nation with his will, determination, and class. But as all icons must endure, hatred comes from every angle. The star is not hated for his attitude nor criticized for a criminal record, but as far as we can see Tim Tebow is scrutinized for his praising of Jesus Christ. I for one am shocked at the dismay of the American people on this issue because how low do we have to go to say we can honestly “hate” an athlete? Tebow stands as a role model for his work ethic and leadership, but it seems he should be punished for his strong belief in a higher power. Skeptics say the young man throws his beliefs in other’s faces and that he taunts fans with his constant praying. Get a grip on reality folks! Don’t chastise Tim for what he believes in. As a Christian, I have a strong belief in God and I pray to him each day. Normal yes, but our society has segregated itself into social cliques that in order to be accepted we must be normal in every single way. This means that we should not be too religious because it deviates us from the pinnacle of success in America. I will never tip my cap to those who look down upon him because of his beliefs. What this young man is doing is celebrating life and honoring the people that made that all possible. All of us should be praising him for having common sense. Instead we criticize him because as an NFL superstar, he should be promoting the image that pop culture stresses. I will say it to all who have come to know Tim Tebow. Dislike him because you are not a Broncos fan. Dislike him if he beat you in Fantasy Football. Dislike him if he does something heinous and unforgivable. But under no excuses should you ridicule a man who works his tail off to be the best person he can be and at the same time honors our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Is he throwing his beliefs in your face? No. All he is doing is giving thanks and sharing his love for God as we all are taught by the good book itself. Instead of blaming him and saying what he is doing wrong, I think we should take a good look in the mirror at ourselves and ask what is more important. Public perception or the holy spirit? The purpose of this was not to bash Tebow haters, but rather to get people to understand Tebow’s perspective and to at least respect the man he is.
Tebow Deserves Respect
December 20th, 2011 
Luke 
Posted in Game Time
Tebow is hated because he is breaking the social contract in America.
Americans have pretty much agreed that Christianity will have no place in media or public life and Tebow is a direct affront to that agreement. Even the idea of Tebow brings up the threat of muscular Christianity, Christian evangelism and that’s not something that is okay to Atheists, Jews and surging numbers of apostates in the US.
To be clear, when they mock Tebow they’re not really mocking the man Tim Tebow… after all quietly genuflecting on the sidelines or giving encouragement to his teammates isn’t something that any logical person can object to. When they mock Tebow they’re mocking Christ and Christianity and the specific threat that it represents in their minds.
Even the idea that Tebow is unabashed or unapologetic about his faith and unwilling to let the practice of his faith be open to censure and abrogation by others is a problem. The bottom line is that his faith opens him up to ridicule, regardless of whether he’s a good guy or not. He’s putting it out there and many Americans see religion and politics as a zero sum gain. For Tebow (or any Christian) to win, they must lose. So of course they hate Tebow.
ed, Very well said and succinct.
I agree with you too Ed. People need to open their eyes and get a reality check on why they should not shut out their faith.
I am a HUGE tebow supporter. I have loved and supported tim since his senior year in HS and will defend him to the end of the earth but I can see how some people may find what he is saying is offensive. I personally dont and im not christian. I believe in god and i respect the fact that he also does. He does deserve respect but iam just saying how some might think he needs to turn it down. But agian I am a tebow supporter.
I understand where you are coming from and I realize that he can come off as offensive, but all I am saying is he isn’t directly going out and offending anyone. I think he is just stating his values without confrontation and people today are not as accepting of others beliefs because of cultural standards. No one really has a problem when any other player scores a touchdown and points to the sky or gets on one knee and prays. And nobody seemed to have a problem with the late great Reggie White becoming a preacher. Tebow expresses his views about God because he almost did not make it into this world. He thanks God because he believes that God helped him make it through birth. All I believe he is doing is returning his favor to the Lord by honoring him with his platform as an NFL quarterback. Again I understand why you believe people find him offensive, but I am just reiterating that people need to not take it as a personal attack and instead as a way of life. Thank you and let’s both continue to support Tim Tebow as the good fans we are!
agreed!
I write you from Sweden, I am a Norwegian national, and learned about Tim T. today, in a local paper, and I am deligheted, because I am Christian. I have always considered myself a Friend of America, and I am sadden that also Americans tone down their Christian traditions. Thats why things go so bad in Europe. I hope young people will follow Tims great example, I know, prayer is an enormous force for good, and having given me a great life, when all seemed hopeless. It has given me everything. I will follow Tims career with great interest, even though I am not a sports fan at all. THIS IS JUST GREAT NEWS.
PRAISE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Helge Sundar (Mr)
North Face Pink Ribbon For these people, water-resistant jackets are an essential unit that is just as relatively important getting a stretcher or an airlift chopper.
I suppose people would rather see yet another sports “hero” (and I use the term very lightly) arrested on rape or drug or murder charges than see one take a knee and pray on the field. Why is it better to hear a player cuss and swear than pray? And these are the people your kids point to and say “I want to be like….”