God's Team: Ray Lewis vs Tim Tebow - same or different?

[Fan in San Diego]

way less war?

 

+1

[WotAGuy]

The whole debate is not who God likes more. It is who best represents what God is supposed to be. Tebow does it best, ironically, though he comes off as a huge phony. Lewis just comes off as an egomaniac narcissistic douche nozzle. Tebow, for the record is just a douche nozzle. But both are better then that little btch Tom Brady.

 

This cracked me up and made my day!

 

My feelings leading up to starting this thread were somewhat along these lines, but I never could have expressed it as eloquently as this!

 

And "Douche Nozzle" would be a GREAT name for a band!

[mjt328]

Jesus told his followers to tell everyone about him and God's plan for salvation. A Christian that keeps their faith "personal" is basically ignoring this command. Tebow and Lewis are simply following one of the basic principles of the Christian faith.

 

On a side note.... as a Christian myself, I know how God has changed my life for the better. I can't help but look around at the world and not be reminded of how awesome he is, and how much he did for me. When a person comes to that realization, they can't help but get excited and passionate about God. I mean, we all get excited when the Bills score a touchdown - and they've never a done thing for me except steal my time and money.

 

With that said... anybody who believes God decides the winner and loser of football games is nuts.

[eball]

Jesus told his followers to tell everyone about him and God's plan for salvation. A Christian that keeps their faith "personal" is basically ignoring this command. Tebow and Lewis are simply following one of the basic principles of the Christian faith.

 

Uggh...exactly. Need to keep finding more pockets from which to fill the church's coffers.

 

I wonder if there is a religious forum that gets tangled up in football stuff....?

 

Have you heard the debates about whether Jesus would have been successful in the pros? As a QB he'd be maddening...throwing the goddamn Hail Mary on every play.

[Gugny]

Uggh...exactly. Need to keep finding more pockets from which to fill the church's coffers.

 

 

 

Have you heard the debates about whether Jesus would have been successful in the pros? As a QB he'd be maddening...throwing the goddamn Hail Mary on every play.

 

But would Jesus "Tebow" after every touchdown pass? And would he praise and thank himself after the game?

[WotAGuy]

Interesting quote from ESPN.com'sTMQ:

 

http://espn.go.com/espn/playbook/story/_/id/8865189/tmq-imagines-harbaugh-childhood-full-sibling-rivalry

 

Hey Everybody, Look at Me: Last week, TMQ zinged J.J. Watt for pointing at himself during games. Reader Doug Williams of Pittsburgh writes, "Watt's immature dancing is a learned behavior. One need look no further than the AFC title game for the prime example of that. Ray Lewis points at himself constantly, he even has a pregame song so he can go through his outlandish gyrations. The result? He is lauded and praised by the sports media. That is the stuff that makes TV, and those are the tactics young players imitate in order to get attention."

 

 

I guess this is at the root of why I was put off by Ray's actions after the game Sunday. He has a long history of being a showboat and self-aggrandizing guy who makes WWF antics look meek. And that's fine, it's all part of the entertainment value of the game. But when he comes out after the game being so demonstrative about his faith and all the attention God has apparently spent on him, it's hard for me to not feel it's an extension of his self-aggrandizing behaviors.

 

But if he's a truly Christian guy and living it, then good for him. I really enjoy watching him play football.

 

I was interested in reading how others compared Ray's actions to Tebow's.

 

For me,Tebow seems more sincere because he doesn't do the over-the-top "look at me" antics Ray does before and during the game.

 

That's just my perception of how sincerely they express their faith on the football field.

 

This has been an interesting discussion and I've enjoyed reading other's views of God, evolution, the Big Bang, and especially - comments on my "personal and intimate" relationship with God. Giving Jesus a "bee-jay" is a TSW classic.

[Prickly Pete]

Interesting quote from ESPN.com'sTMQ:

 

http://espn.go.com/e...sibling-rivalry

 

Hey Everybody, Look at Me: Last week, TMQ zinged J.J. Watt for pointing at himself during games. Reader Doug Williams of Pittsburgh writes, "Watt's immature dancing is a learned behavior. One need look no further than the AFC title game for the prime example of that. Ray Lewis points at himself constantly, he even has a pregame song so he can go through his outlandish gyrations. The result? He is lauded and praised by the sports media. That is the stuff that makes TV, and those are the tactics young players imitate in order to get attention."

 

 

I guess this is at the root of why I was put off by Ray's actions after the game Sunday. He has a long history of being a showboat and self-aggrandizing guy who makes WWF antics look meek. And that's fine, it's all part of the entertainment value of the game. But when he comes out after the game being so demonstrative about his faith and all the attention God has apparently spent on him, it's hard for me to not feel it's an extension of his self-aggrandizing behaviors.

 

But if he's a truly Christian guy and living it, then good for him. I really enjoy watching him play football.

 

I was interested in reading how others compared Ray's actions to Tebow's.

 

For me,Tebow seems more sincere because he doesn't do the over-the-top "look at me" antics Ray does before and during the game.

 

That's just my perception of how sincerely they express their faith on the football field.

 

This has been an interesting discussion and I've enjoyed reading other's views of God, evolution, the Big Bang, and especially - comments on my "personal and intimate" relationship with God. Giving Jesus a "bee-jay" is a TSW classic.

 

They both believe their own bull****, but Tebow uses a kind of white, corporate approach to spreading the word, and Lewis opts for the ghetto preacher role. Both methods are insidious in their own way. Which is worse, I'm not sure. Lewis is much more "in your face", and has a pretty dark history, but Tebow (who I think is actually a pretty nice kid whose entire life has been engulfed by the church, and is easily manipulated) may be more dangerous, because he has some big money behind him.

[Dibs]

How do you know that God doesn't sit in his recleiner in the living room every sunday in his Brady jersey cheering on his favorite team to win and affecting the outcome of the game while eating nachos and having a beer?

 

If its not god affecting the outcome of the games, then who is it? My guess is Goodell or the networks. Is it just a coincidence that the Ravens came close to not making the playoffs, then go out and beat the Colts, the Broncos, and the Pats to get to the Superbowl in Lewis' last season for a matchup of Brother against brother HC's? There was no better scenario this season for the networks............

 

You are 100 % right. I don't know.

 

I do know that I personally would never presume to have been specially singled out by God ahead of other people who likely are at least my equal in faith and deeds. But I guess that's just me.

Edited January 23, 2013 by Dibs

[brenty]

Like I said before, Why does this even matter. Not one person here knows what is in their heart. Everyone here is speculating, for some reason people are calling Tebow a douche nozzle or whatever was said. What I think is that everyone who is hating on Tebow for being a nice guy, since he has been doing all his acts of kindness to sick kids (even before he went pro). Building churches in 3rd world countries. The guy never misrepresented himself once. He is happy for who he is and how God blessed his life. Yes, what a douche. But i think the people who hate on him maybe just can't find anything to be happy about. That you need to hate the good in people. I would like everyone who hates tebow. (not sports related, as in he can't throw) I mean who the guy is, name one thing that makes you hate the guy? Ray lewis, Yes he had a troubled path but there are a lot of people who had troubled paths and overcame them. I could name celebrities that abused drugs, or preachers that were once in a gang, or hey maybe even a few football players that messed up their lives and found God as a way to turn it around. So I am happy to see people on the big screen thanking God for what they did. It is nice to hear it, even if it is over the top. But like I said. No one knows what is inside their heart but him and God. And if you don't believe in God, then No one knows what is inside their heart but him/her

[WotAGuy]

Like I said before, Why does this even matter.

 

 

It doesn't matter - it's just a topic for discussion and exchange of ideas on a message board.

 

I agree with much of what you went on to explain in your post. Well put.

[Prickly Pete]

Like I said before, Why does this even matter. Not one person here knows what is in their heart. Everyone here is speculating, for some reason people are calling Tebow a douche nozzle or whatever was said. What I think is that everyone who is hating on Tebow for being a nice guy, since he has been doing all his acts of kindness to sick kids (even before he went pro). Building churches in 3rd world countries. The guy never misrepresented himself once. He is happy for who he is and how God blessed his life. Yes, what a douche. But i think the people who hate on him maybe just can't find anything to be happy about. That you need to hate the good in people. I would like everyone who hates tebow. (not sports related, as in he can't throw) I mean who the guy is, name one thing that makes you hate the guy? Ray lewis, Yes he had a troubled path but there are a lot of people who had troubled paths and overcame them. I could name celebrities that abused drugs, or preachers that were once in a gang, or hey maybe even a few football players that messed up their lives and found God as a way to turn it around. So I am happy to see people on the big screen thanking God for what they did. It is nice to hear it, even if it is over the top. But like I said. No one knows what is inside their heart but him and God. And if you don't believe in God, then No one knows what is inside their heart but him/her

 

The problem is "believers" often try to influence government policy, and when you see these faiths as crazy myths, it's disturbing to see people like Tebow having any kind of influence.

[Kelly the Dog]

Would you guys who favor what Lewis and Tebow do on the field or sidelines think the exact same thing if Ray Lewis, Tim Tebow, or Muhammed Hussein spread out a prayer rug on the field, faced Mecca, performed his ablution and thanked Allah for that nifty 72 yard interception return for a TD and said he couldn't wait to get his hands on those 72 Virgins?

[WotAGuy]

Would you guys who favor what Lewis and Tebow do on the field or sidelines think the exact same thing if Ray Lewis, Tim Tebow, or Muhammed Hussein spread out a prayer rug on the field, faced Mecca, performed his ablution and thanked Allah for that nifty 72 yard interception return for a TD and said he couldn't wait to get his hands on those 72 Virgins?

 

 

That's a really interesting point - and I wouldn't have a problem with it - although he'd likely get an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for using a prop in a touchdown celebration.

[brenty]

The problem is "believers" often try to influence government policy, and when you see these faiths as crazy myths, it's disturbing to see people like Tebow having any kind of influence.

 

That is your belief as a myth. Do you know scientist have proven that the history in the bible is in fact true? That is right. Scientist have proven the history in the bible is true. Yes they can't prove that there is a God but you can't say that the bible is 100% false. Did you also know that if it wasn't for true believers that half the hospitals would be gone, that the world probably would be in a worse place. Yes there are times where people have abused religion. And wars have started over religious views. I really don't think God said, Hey lets kill millions of people because they believe in something else or that hey, lets rape these women after we destroy this city. Last time I remember God sent one dude to get His people back. Or sent one dude to kill a giant to end the war. Or to circle a city so many times and the walls will crumble. People who use religion as an evil thing is the worst kind of "Christian". I don't even want to use the word christian. C.S. Lewis said it best. "Of all bad men, religious bad men are the worst."

 

There are Christians who say all gays are going to hell and they should burn and that if you had an abortion you are the devil and you should die, or people who call themselves Christians that will kill a man because he is gay. I am sorry that isn't Christian. That is the misrepresentation of a Christian. That is why God sent down His Son, Jesus to tell everyone that they are idiots and they are screwing up what God is actually teaching you. Also to die for our sins.

 

Yes Christians try to influence laws. Everyone has morals. You believe what is right or wrong. But WHY should we believe your right and wrong. Who tells you what is rigth and wrong. For crying out loud you might think having sex with animals is okay if people want to do it, and some people won't. (by no means am i attacking you on that) As Christians, we have someone who tells us what is right and wrong. There are things that we might not like. Things that we think that are dumb, like no sex before marriage. But we still have God saying it is wrong. And as much as we hate it, we should try as hard to obey it. If we decide to change his rules and say, eh they are overrated, then we are creating a god in our own image, which we shouldn't. But back to the laws. So yes we believe what is right and wrong. If you actually believed that life happens at conception... wouldn't you want to stop the killing of life? So yes, what is wrong with someone fighting for what they believe. Did you vote to legalize weed? Isn't that your opinion on what is right or wrong? Aren't you doing the same thing as these Christians voting on their own beliefs or morals?

So if thanking someone who is greater than you, Showing kids that isn't okay to do drugs, show compassion to people with disabilities like tebow does, and he does it in the most kind warm-hearting way.. yes it is a shame. But it is a shame there are not more people on the field that are like him, and that actually can be a great role model.

[eball]

Hey, religions -- want to influence political elections and legislation? Fine -- leave your tax-exempt status at the door.

[brenty]

Hey, religions -- want to influence political elections and legislation? Fine -- leave your tax-exempt status at the door.

 

really?

[WotAGuy]

Hey, religions -- want to influence political elections and legislation? Fine -- leave your tax-exempt status at the door.

 

I am really enjoying your contributions to this discussion. You express your point of view with my kind of humor, and without attacks. You're cracking me up. And thanks for your response to Chimp early on!

[Prickly Pete]

That is your belief as a myth. Do you know scientist have proven that the history in the bible is in fact true? That is right. Scientist have proven the history in the bible is true. Yes they can't prove that there is a God but you can't say that the bible is 100% false. Did you also know that if it wasn't for true believers that half the hospitals would be gone, that the world probably would be in a worse place. Yes there are times where people have abused religion. And wars have started over religious views. I really don't think God said, Hey lets kill millions of people because they believe in something else or that hey, lets rape these women after we destroy this city. Last time I remember God sent one dude to get His people back. Or sent one dude to kill a giant to end the war. Or to circle a city so many times and the walls will crumble. People who use religion as an evil thing is the worst kind of "Christian". I don't even want to use the word christian. C.S. Lewis said it best. "Of all bad men, religious bad men are the worst."

 

There are Christians who say all gays are going to hell and they should burn and that if you had an abortion you are the devil and you should die, or people who call themselves Christians that will kill a man because he is gay. I am sorry that isn't Christian. That is the misrepresentation of a Christian. That is why God sent down His Son, Jesus to tell everyone that they are idiots and they are screwing up what God is actually teaching you. Also to die for our sins.

 

Yes Christians try to influence laws. Everyone has morals. You believe what is right or wrong. But WHY should we believe your right and wrong. Who tells you what is rigth and wrong. For crying out loud you might think having sex with animals is okay if people want to do it, and some people won't. (by no means am i attacking you on that) As Christians, we have someone who tells us what is right and wrong. There are things that we might not like. Things that we think that are dumb, like no sex before marriage. But we still have God saying it is wrong. And as much as we hate it, we should try as hard to obey it. If we decide to change his rules and say, eh they are overrated, then we are creating a god in our own image, which we shouldn't. But back to the laws. So yes we believe what is right and wrong. If you actually believed that life happens at conception... wouldn't you want to stop the killing of life? So yes, what is wrong with someone fighting for what they believe. Did you vote to legalize weed? Isn't that your opinion on what is right or wrong? Aren't you doing the same thing as these Christians voting on their own beliefs or morals?

So if thanking someone who is greater than you, Showing kids that isn't okay to do drugs, show compassion to people with disabilities like tebow does, and he does it in the most kind warm-hearting way.. yes it is a shame. But it is a shame there are not more people on the field that are like him, and that actually can be a great role model.

 

I am just letting you know why some don't like Tebow...you are too far gone to bicker with.

 

That's a really interesting point - and I wouldn't have a problem with it - although he'd likely get an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for using a prop in a touchdown celebration.

 

That point never occurred to you? That is the blind spot in so many of these Christian arguments. It's okay if it's Christian based, but no other religions allowed (you say you wouldn't mind, but I doubt that, and plenty of Christians would LOSE THEIR MINDS if that happened).

[WotAGuy]

I am just letting you know why some don't like Tebow...you are too far gone to bicker with.

 

 

 

That point never occurred to you? That is the blind spot in so many of these Christian arguments. It's okay if it's Christian based, but no other religions allowed (you say you wouldn't mind, but I doubt that, and plenty of Christians would LOSE THEIR MINDS if that happened).

 

 

What do you know about me to suggest I'm not being honest?

[brenty]

I am just letting you know why some don't like Tebow...you are too far gone to bicker with.

 

 

 

That point never occurred to you? That is the blind spot in so many of these Christian arguments. It's okay if it's Christian based, but no other religions allowed (you say you wouldn't mind, but I doubt that, and plenty of Christians would LOSE THEIR MINDS if that happened).

 

I am to far gone to bicker with? I am just asking questions and answering some. I honestly wouldn't care what people would do on the field. There are people who celebrate in different ways. We have freedom of religion. We can talk about it and show it all we want. Yes their will be people such as the westboro chruch that will do something dumb. But don't we all have people in our groups that have dumb people? Athiests have some horrible people that are attacking religious people for their actions, just like some religions attack others. To blame just Christians is crazy. Great example. There are people on this board.. right now, even you, for attack these Christians for their actions on the field or off. The same thing you are suggesting of Christians to lose their mind if others showed off their beliefs on the field. So infact you are doing what you are poking fun of christians which they might do.