Image Credit: Fox Sports
Tim Tebow.
I’m sure starting this piece of writing with his name just ensured many people’s attention. After all, his overtime victory over the Steelers (I repeat, the Steelers!) blew America away. His unconventional style of play and his “shove-Christianity-in-your-face” attitude has won him just as many lovers as critics. One thing that is for sure: he is becoming a household name. In fact, I have just added the word “Tebow” to my Microsoft Word dictionary.
High school students have been suspended for “Tebowing,” Pro-Choice supporters have started a fundraiser that encourages $10 donations for every Tebow touchdown, and, since it’s 2012, Rick Perry has compared himself to Tebow in Iowa (did Tebow forget the third part of the Holy Trinity? I don’t think so. Bad comparison Governor Perry).
As the Tebow-mania becomes hotter and hotter, a topic starts to emerge: What if Tebow was Muslim?
Well first of all, some logistics: Would he be okay playing for the New Orleans Saints? And he sure can’t do Hail Marys anymore. Nor would he enjoy playing here at University of Notre Dame.
But all that aside, what will America think of him?
Sandra Fish from the Washington Post does not seem to think that it would bode well for the Christian poster boy and Engel from Fox News brings up a completely different spin, stating that Tebow would be respected, and that “all hell would break loose” (at least the Christian and Muslim hells I’m sure) if Muslim Tebow’s religious touchdown celebrations were mocked by the players (as Christian Tebow’s prayers often have been).
I agree with Engel that mocking anybody’s demonstration of faith is not a good gesture and yes, the reaction might be much more serious if the Muslim Tebow celebration were mocked. And like Fish, I do not think America would like Tebow as much if he started all his interviews with “Praise Allah.” Feel free to call me out, but for some reason, I just don’t think Tebow would simply receive just some eye rolls or thunderous cheers if after every touchdown, he pulls out his prayer mat and bows towards Mecca (it certainly won’t be an excessive celebration penalty according to NFL rules).
I think there’s something wrong about this. As a society that puts emphasis on freedom of expression and freedom of worship above everything else, why is it that our views on a person can change solely based on his/her religion, especially when the religion praises good values like all other major religions in the world? Just look at how much President Obama had to go out of his way to show everybody that he is not a Muslim. Perhaps we really do need a Muslim Tebow to come change things up a little bit.
I do believe that it is unfortunate that people are judged based off of the god or gods that they choose to praise. It is a choice, and the choice that someone makes should not conflict with their job, education, social position, etc. I think that this article brings up a very important, yet controversial point. Obama was a perfect example. I think that it is also relevant to think about how race, not just religion, can hinder the spotlight of certain people. I am not saying that if Tim were Black, he would not receive the same spotlight, because he probably would. But what if Tim were Asian, and did not fit the same build that other football players fit? Would America still love him? What I am hinting at here is that it is not just religion that America, and other countries of course, discriminate against, even though we proclaim not to, it is the exterior in general. It is race, ethnicity, appearance, even the way someone speaks. If Tim had a foreign accent, would America still love him? Would xenophobic attitudes take precedence over talent? Maybe not for some, but I would say a decent majority of Americans would not be too happy if a star football player had a Chinese or African accent..it just would not seem right. Not only do we need to hold true to ideals of equality for religion, but we need to hold true ideals of equality for all aspects. As cliche as it sounds, we should focus more on what people have to offer– what is on the inside, before appreciating the xterior.
I completely agree with Malena, there is much more to a person than what religion they choose to believe in. As long as someone lives by a moral code, and is ultimately a “good person”, why should it matter what religion he believes in?