Christian Athletes

normajean777 · 02-02-2012, 11:10 PM

I guess I specifically have Tebow on the mind. I've honestly just enjoyed the drama between Tebow and everybody else. I wasn't very quick to get behind him (not that I ever really was), but I do respect his attitudes and enjoy watching his interviews, and squeaking out wins.

But I'm not sure how I feel about his style. I guess I could call it his evangelism. Hes about the most in your face athlete there is, when it comes to God. With decent reasons of course ("you don't just tell your wife on your wedding 'I love you', you tell her with every chance" etc), but I'm not sure how effective it is in reaching out to people.

I read an article about Aaron Rodgers on the other hand on the Athletes in Action website. It detailed his Christian upbringing and involvement in groups like Young Life. It painted him as a lead by example Christian. Hes not in your face at all. I respect that, but I'm not sure how effective that is either. I couldn't tell how much he loved Jesus from any of the interviews I've seen (a friend pointed me to the article).

Anyway whats your take on Christianity and professional athletes?

zedman · 02-03-2012, 12:02 AM

This isn't a clear cut area---I've seen athletes who quietly go about living their faith and it shows in how they compete and how they speak, I've seen others that feel they have to shove God down everybody's throat every time a microphone is placed anywhere near them.

Most, I believe, are somewhere in between, and probably closer tot he first example.

Now what constitutes shoving God down somebody's throat may differ from person to person.
I once read online somebody complaining because after a football game some members of both teams gathered to pray. He thought that was shoving their religion down his throat--however the athletes did it themselves, there was no announcement of it over the PA, and nobody forced him to watch or take part--so he was over-reacting. But I have seen guys make it sound forced too.

So you can be upfront about it, and talk about it--but do so with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)
And if you do it, people will be watching you carefully--so be prepared for that. Don't overdo it though and act like you're perfect--be real, be honest.

But still it can be tricky.

And from a fan's point of view, we shouldn't make them something they're not either, and put extra pressure on them. We need to give them room and space to live their lives, as God directs them.

jthomas1600 · 02-03-2012, 05:37 AM

I think it's good to see Christian athletes use their platform to spread the word. Two of my favorites were A.C. Green of the L.A. Lakers and Kurt Warner.

Ax · 02-03-2012, 08:10 AM

My biggest problem with all that isn't Tebow or him being up front about his face, it's the people who think that him being a Christian makes him a good QB. He's not. He may be a great guy, solid believer, but being a Christian and being a good athlete are independent of each other and people seem to forget that.

I do find it annoying when athletes try to push political or religious agendas of any kind too, however. They're athletes, I don't particularly value their opinion on anything other than the game they play. And anybody being really pushy about anything annoys me, athletes more so. And Tebow's superbowl ad a few years ago was just awful.

jthomas1600 · 02-03-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ax

My biggest problem with all that isn't Tebow or him being up front about his face, it's the people who think that him being a Christian makes him a good QB. He's not. He may be a great guy, solid believer, but being a Christian and being a good athlete are independent of each other and people seem to forget that.

I do find it annoying when athletes try to push political or religious agendas of any kind too, however. They're athletes, I don't particularly value their opinion on anything other than the game they play. And anybody being really pushy about anything annoys me, athletes more so. And Tebow's superbowl ad a few years ago was just awful.

Full Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad By Focus On the Family - YouTube

The only thing I can think of is it must of been the bad acting that has you so riled up. He didn't mention Christ, Christianity, the church, abortion, or in any other way push his religion down your throat. Only a link to Focus on the Family at the end of the commercial.

Ax · 02-03-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

Full Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad By Focus On the Family - YouTube

The only thing I can think of is it must of been the bad acting that has you so riled up. He didn't mention Christ, Christianity, the church, abortion, or in any other way push his religion down your throat. Only a link to Focus on the Family at the end of the commercial.

It was the fact that he had the audacity to make it and air it in the first place.

penguinofwar · 02-03-2012, 01:54 PM

I've always felt that the guys who were most effective were like Kurt Warner, who is one of my favorite christian-athletes. He simply did what he could to give recognition to God, and state that he wouldn't have gotten where he was if it wasn't for his relationship with God.

Jon Kitna is another great example. He wasn't up in your face about it, in terms of the fans, although if you know anything about him you probably know what he is indeed a christian. He is apparently really active in his teammates' spiritual lives, which is really cool.

Sean Casey is another great one. To be honest, all of these are guys who I think actually affected my faith and my desire to be a christian. When I was a little kid, I thought Kurt Warner was the coolest guy when I got the pamphlet at my church that had a picture of him on it.

***Pauler*** · 02-03-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ax

My biggest problem with all that isn't Tebow or him being up front about his face, it's the people who think that him being a Christian makes him a good QB. He's not. He may be a great guy, solid believer, but being a Christian and being a good athlete are independent of each other and people seem to forget that.

I do find it annoying when athletes try to push political or religious agendas of any kind too, however. They're athletes, I don't particularly value their opinion on anything other than the game they play. And anybody being really pushy about anything annoys me, athletes more so. And Tebow's superbowl ad a few years ago was just awful.

i feel the same way.

i think the thing that bothers me is that he thinks he has a larger sphere of influence than he really does. sure he is on tv, but to me, someone will not truly influence my life unless they are close to me. it would be impossible for tebow to influence anyone in a "christian" manner unless he has personal contact with them. i guess i just wish he would keep his evangelism to his inner spheres of influence.

i dunno...i guess at the bottom of it...who knows what God uses for his glory. perhaps God is using him in spite of this or because of this. i guess he is just doing what he thinks is right, and i have to respect that.

beh...i just spoke out of both sides of my mouth...