Oh, Tim Tebow

OK, so I know as a student at the University of Alabama, Tim Tebow is supposed to be a curse word in my mind. So sorry to disappoint, but I happen to be a very big fan of him. He stands for a lot of good things that are rare to come by in collegiate and professional athletes. So after I read an article completely bashing Tebow and his mission work in the Philippines, I had to write down my thoughts. Here is the link to the article if you care to read it then my response:

http://jeffpearlman.com/?p=2573#comments

I would just like to point out you should really do a little more research concerning missions work. Oftentimes, missions work is done in areas of a country where there is already established Christianity, or whatever religion. Mission work isn't about educating and converting the foreign masses, it's about helping people less fortunate than you. In helping these people, you hope to be an example of Christ. Mission work isn't preaching or indoctrinating, it's doing and helping. The only way for Christians to truly love God is through loving people (aka mission work).

And those "Christians" you see yelling on street corners and handing out pamphlets are extremists. Every religion has them. It is possible to have faith in salvation without a sliver of doubt without being crazy. I was not raised in church my whole life and researched many other religions, and Christianity filled a hole that nothing else could. I find it very insulting that you assumed that CHristians only do good things to earn salvation. We already have salvation. Doing good things comes with being a Christian. Your heart feels the pain of others and longs to help the hurting. Faith without deeds does nothing for others and deeds without faith does nothing for the individual. There is so much more to the Christian faith than you are touching on. And while Christians may view people as sinners, they do not hate them, and they know they can overcome it through Christ. Being a Christian means living in love and self control. You can't judge a religion or institution by the few that act out in extreme ways. There are always going to be people who give Christianity a bad reputation, but Christianity isn't about Christians. It's about everything they are supposed to stand for--you can find these things in the Bible. Basing your opinions on the mistakes of others is truly misguided. I'm sure you don't agree with everyone assuming that all Muslims want to kill Americans. We know that isn't true. THe majority of Muslims are peaceful and wonderful people. Give Christians the same credit. Don't assume that we all want to throw our Bibles into your face and warn you of your inevitable damnation to Hell.

Being a Christian means having a higher being to turn to. It's living by an example to be an example. It isn't letting people walk all over you. It isn't beating yourself up over knowing you are unworthy of God's mercy and love-you are not saved by worth, you are saved by birth. It isn't just a ticket to heaven. It's a way of living that changes the lives of others and yourself.

I think reporters like to write about CHristian athletes because they don't come around very often--genuine ones anyway. They are trying to find that perfect example for people to live by. Is this right? No, of course not. We're all only human. But it's nice to hear about people doing good things in the world instead of pumping themselves full of steroids or getting caught cheating on their wives. Not all athletes are guilty of this, but it seems to be a recurring theme on sports news shows. They're just looking for the next big story. And if they find Tim Tebow's mission work to be newsworthy, then it's their artistic license to believe so.