So, is Tim Tebow persecuted?
Some Christians and the pundits who cater to them say yes. People like this (http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=1469656) say that critics are “picking on” Tim Tebow because of his faith. They are criticizing him not because he’s a bad quarterback, but because he’s an outspoken advocate of Christ.
These same people are the ones who argue that there is a “War on Christmas.” The Christmas season is under attack because it includes the name “Christ.” That’s why they say “Happy Holidays” at Best Buy, and why they call it a “Holiday Tree” in Rhode Island. http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-december-6-2011/tree-fighting-ceremony
Let’s deal with the Tebow-mania issue first. If Tim Tebow is persecuted, I’m a ballerina (and those of you that know me are now throwing up a little in your mouth at that imagery).
Tim Tebow was the 25th pick in the NFL draft. He has the top-selling jersey in the most popular pro sports league in the United States. He is the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos, makes millions of dollars, and has more fans than perhaps any QB in NFL history.
If that’s persecution, then you can persecute me all day long. And twice on Sunday. (Pun intended).
As for Christmas, when did Wal-Mart or Best Buy or any other retailer claim to be “Christian?” For that matter, when did any state claim that? Government officials and retailers are interested in one thing: Self-preservation. Both will do or say whatever it takes to remain at the top of the food chain. If that means saying “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” or “Pleasant Rosh Hashannah,” they’ll do it.
But some Christians rant and rave and rail against both. They complain that Christianity is under attack, that there is a “War on Christmas,” that their faith is being pushed to the side. These believers even post pictures on Facebook to prove their point:
I have two words for Christians who think this way.
Stop it.
Don’t stop it some day or in a few minutes. Just stop it. Now.
Get over your "persecution complex" and stop trying to become an underdog for attention. It's not true, it's not Biblical, and it's a horrible witness to everyone around you.
The idea that Christians in the United States are being “persecuted” is absurd, even laughable. Just because people make fun of Tebow’s faith (which they do) or say something other than “Merry Christmas” hardly makes us persecuted.
To say that we are persecuted is an insult to religious people around the world who risk life and limb for what they believe. Our “persecution” is more of an inconvenience, perhaps an annoyance. Christians in China who smuggle Bibles into the country are persecuted, and they risk real suffering for following their conscience.
Tell some missionary in Africa or the Middle East that Christianity is under attack, and I imagine that would give you a far different picture of what that actually means.
Keep in mind that Tebow isn’t crying about any of this; in fact, he has even affirm some of his critics. But his “followers” won’t hear it. The fact that Tebow went 6-22 for 60 yards and two turnovers in his last game couldn’t be the reason that sports pundits are critical of him. It MUST be that they just hate Christians!
Perhaps commentators are just tired of Christians playing the persectution card. Perhaps people are weary of Christians creating the persona of an underdog when they’ve been front-runners since 325 A.D. Perhaps Christians would do much better to stop belly-aching about their lost entitlement and simply exercise the freedoms that they have.
That’s a much better witness than creating a straw man that is easily knocked down…such as a war on Christmas or a Tim Tebow pity-party. Christians would bring a lot more honor to the name of Christ by actually following Him instead of whining about everything that doesn’t just go our way.
In other words, we should quit pouting for “poor” Tim Tebow and learn from his example.
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