A bet between city mayors over their sports teams is not new, but after the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Denver Broncos, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl from Pittsburgh had to pay up his bet in an unconventional manner. Instead of sending signature foods to Denver, Ravenstahl paid off his bet with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock by donning a Broncos jersey and Tebowing.
That's what I keep saying; religion at that level is something to show off to others, a way to gain attention and approval. It's not about a god but about pure ego.
In many cases, I'm sure you're right. But I tend to think some of it is also about reassuring the self, a kind of "I must be Christian, I brought this gold-plated Bible and this velvet Jesus picture and support Tim Tebow". A kind of personal identification through group affiliation.
That said, I'm studying group identification right now so I may be overthinking it.
It's all part of the same psychology. They do identify as part of a group, a herd, and seek status within that group. They partake in group speak and group thought in order to maintain membership, and status in that group. By showboating his religiosity Tebow now has a very high status in his chosen social group.
Dave - Just a Man in the Mountains.
I am a Humanist. I believe in a rational philosophy of life, informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by a desire to do good for its own sake and not by an expectation of a reward or fear of punishment in an afterlife.
As for Tebow praying in public--the admonishment against doing so is if one is only praying in public to be seen praying. We are not supposed to only pray in private as we're called to pray in groups and in church. Now, some here could be assuming that Tebow is only praying to be seen praying, but that's an assumption and can't be backed up and says far more about the one making the assumption than Tebow.
As a nonChristian, that is exactly what it looks like Tebow is doing. It is a showy kind of Christianity that is not at all attractive.
Dark Energy. It can be found in the observable Universe. Found in ratios of 75% more than any other substance. Dark Energy. It can be found in religious extremists, in cheerleaders. To come to the conclusion that Dark signifies mean and malevolent would define 75% of the Universe as an evil force. Alternatively, to think that some cheerleaders don't have razors in their snatch is to be foolishly unarmed.
That's what I keep saying; religion at that level is something to show off to others, a way to gain attention and approval. It's not about a god but about pure ego.
In many cases, I'm sure you're right. But I tend to think some of it is also about reassuring the self, a kind of "I must be Christian, I brought this gold-plated Bible and this velvet Jesus picture and support Tim Tebow". A kind of personal identification through group affiliation.
That said, I'm studying group identification right now so I may be overthinking it.
If you watch sports, you will notice a lot of the guys display various forms of religious devotion; it can be as obvious as Tebowing, sometimes just a quick bow of the head, sometimes a sign of the cross. But nothing much was made of this. Until Tebow. He is no doubt more open about it. But there is also this: some of what he (and his team) have accomplished late in games this year has seemed- well, miraculous. Thus, bound to excite some of these people. Maher was, I think, simply pointing out the obvious that if you take the good to be a miracle from God- what do you make of the bad?
As to ego and showing off, Dave- this is true. But such is not limited to religious displays, in fact personally, I find Tebowing to be a lot less ostentatious and self-centered than some of these ridiculous dances you see guys do in the end zone after a touchdown.
But this is sports after all, so I don't take any of it too seriously. Neither should the fundies. Nor Bill Maher (though, I take his comments to be having a bit of fun as well, though he should have found a better way of expressing it than referring to Hitler, whom a lot of people do not find humorous).
I do think that some of the things Tebow has been able to do are amazing and he has every right to feel good about that. My dad has been a Broncos fan since I was born or at least I can't ever remember him not being one. My team is the Colts who have just sucked this year. My dad is enjoying the Bronco's season this year and that's fun to watch.
I agree that the touchdown dances of some of the players are far more annoying than Tebow praying. Bill Maher thinks he's funny and some others agree. I do not.
As for Tebow praying in public--the admonishment against doing so is if one is only praying in public to be seen praying. We are not supposed to only pray in private as we're called to pray in groups and in church. Now, some here could be assuming that Tebow is only praying to be seen praying, but that's an assumption and can't be backed up and says far more about the one making the assumption than Tebow.
"No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible." George Chakiris
“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” Stuart Chase
That's what I keep saying; religion at that level is something to show off to others, a way to gain attention and approval. It's not about a god but about pure ego.
In many cases, I'm sure you're right. But I tend to think some of it is also about reassuring the self, a kind of "I must be Christian, I brought this gold-plated Bible and this velvet Jesus picture and support Tim Tebow". A kind of personal identification through group affiliation.
That said, I'm studying group identification right now so I may be overthinking it.
If you watch sports, you will notice a lot of the guys display various forms of religious devotion; it can be as obvious as Tebowing, sometimes just a quick bow of the head, sometimes a sign of the cross. But nothing much was made of this. Until Tebow. He is no doubt more open about it. But there is also this: some of what he (and his team) have accomplished late in games this year has seemed- well, miraculous. Thus, bound to excite some of these people. Maher was, I think, simply pointing out the obvious that if you take the good to be a miracle from God- what do you make of the bad?
As to ego and showing off, Dave- this is true. But such is not limited to religious displays, in fact personally, I find Tebowing to be a lot less ostentatious and self-centered than some of these ridiculous dances you see guys do in the end zone after a touchdown.
But this is sports after all, so I don't take any of it too seriously. Neither should the fundies. Nor Bill Maher (though, I take his comments to be having a bit of fun as well, though he should have found a better way of expressing it than referring to Hitler, whom a lot of people do not find humorous).
That's what I keep saying; religion at that level is something to show off to others, a way to gain attention and approval. It's not about a god but about pure ego.
In many cases, I'm sure you're right. But I tend to think some of it is also about reassuring the self, a kind of "I must be Christian, I brought this gold-plated Bible and this velvet Jesus picture and support Tim Tebow". A kind of personal identification through group affiliation.
That said, I'm studying group identification right now so I may be overthinking it.
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. ~ Proverbs 14:31
What I find amusing about this Tebow business is that he is an illustration of how the fundie community will buy anything and anyone that's ostentatiously pious enough.
That's what I keep saying; religion at that level is something to show off to others, a way to gain attention and approval. It's not about a god but about pure ego.
Dave - Just a Man in the Mountains.
I am a Humanist. I believe in a rational philosophy of life, informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by a desire to do good for its own sake and not by an expectation of a reward or fear of punishment in an afterlife.
What I find amusing about this Tebow business is that he is an illustration of how the fundie community will buy anything and anyone that's ostentatiously pious enough.
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. ~ Proverbs 14:31
Not that I think for one minute the Almighty had anything to do with it- but Tebow did it again. He threw an 80 yard TD pass on the first play of overtime to beat the Steelers. The guy is an enigma as a football player. Half the time he throws the ball like an amateur- and then he does something like this...
All, I can say is, have fun with it for now- and, anything that makes Hitler and Stalin cry can't be all bad...
