Sports In Paradise By Dale Jones
How interesting is it that Brit Hume is taking more heat over his comments regarding Tiger Woods and Christianity than Tiger Woods is for the numerous acts of infidelity he has obviously committed.
There is probably no bigger sports figure on the face of the earth than Tiger Woods. All around the globe, everyone knows who “Tiger” is.
So when TV news guy Brit Hume suggested that Woods should turn from his Buddhist faith and turn to Christianity, the ultra-liberal news media, in predictable fashion, started spending more energy raking Hume over the coals for his comments then they did Woods for his actions.
Last Sunday, Hume stated on Fox News that Woods should take solace in the redemption and forgiveness of Christianity.
In an article by Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker, Tucker said “To assert that Christianity is a better faith from which to seek comfort than Buddhism seems a bit naïve.”
Is it really?
Now, while I realize that this is a sports column, the issue of sports and faith has become the issue in this Tiger Woods case thanks to Hume, so let me put in my two cents if you don’t mind.
Here in Baldwin County, we live in the seat of the Bible belt. It is not uncommon to find churches of the Christian faith on almost every corner in almost every town. In other parts of the world, however, folks wouldn’t know a Southern Baptist if one came up and slapped ‘em in the face. (Which would never happen. Baptist only slap others during Sunday night business meetings.)
The issue I am having with all of this is that many in the mainstream media have made it sound as if Hume condemned Tiger. He did not.
He simply offered a sincere, heart felt suggestion that he feels would bring some peace to Woods, who is no doubt going through a very difficult time.
Unfortunately, for many unbelievers, when Christianity is mentioned, the first thing that comes to their mind is a crying Jimmy Swaggart or a Ted Haggard, both of whom were pastors of very high profile churches yet became involved with prostitutes.
I find it interesting and sad that in this day and age, prime time television has no problem poking fun at Christians, but the first time someone tries to use the name of Jesus to help lead someone in the right direction, that person is ‘crucified.’
When it comes to sports, you have many choices. In football you can pull for the Dolphins or the Tigers, the Toros or the Pirates, Alabama or Auburn. Whoever you want to pull for is up to you.
In baseball, the Cubs or the Mets, the Yankees or the Dodgers.
Golf? Woods or Mickelson. Your choice doesn’t matter.
But when it comes to faith, there is in fact, a choice that is right or wrong. There is a true God or there is a false God.
Brit Hume is on the right track in offering the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to Woods. He didn’t criticize Woods’ actions, he didn’t act “holier than thou.” He simply said that in Jesus Christ, Woods could find the peace he is looking for.
One of these days, it won’t matter who won the Iron Bowl, no eternal crowns will be given for winning a Super Bowl, and whether or not Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer in the world won’t matter to a hill of beans.
But the choice of choosing Jesus or not – THAT one is going to matter.
—Hit ‘em straight.
—Dale Jones covers sports and news in Baldwin County.
Bravo for your strength and courage to support Brit Hume, who as you said was offering nothing but kindness through the forgiveness of our Lord. I also commend you for being bold enough to speak His name to those who don’t know Jesus Christ. Only those who have received such forgiveness could understand.
Amen
You got to be an idiot not to understand that Hume’s comments were divisive and offensive.
Leave the Liberal / Conservative Media out of it… I’m a Christian and a Republican… and I was offended by Hume’s so-called advice!!! Don’t knock someone else’s faith down, just because you don’t believe in it… keep your opinion to yourself. We want the Government to stay out our lives, but we can’t even seem to stay out of other people’s lives… we judge and critize… no one on this planet is without sin. I just hope someday, when someone decides to dig into Brit Hume’s life… you don’t simply blame the media for attacking him… just like Brit Hume decided to attack Tiger Woods.
And one more thing… Brit Hume was not being sincere, he was diving into a man’s personal life and his religious beliefs… on LIVE TELEVISION! I wonder, if Brit Hume had done the same to any one else would people be saying that Brit Hume is being sincere in his providing his advice. Something to think about… have a blessed day!
Brit Hume’s comments offend many people because they demonstrate religious arrogance. Tiger Woods already follows a religion of his choice. While some Christians may feel their religion is the only true religion, telling other people that their own beliefs are inadequate is deplorable. Jesus himself was never Christian–he was Jewish his whole life.
Let me see if I understand, having the audacity to share your faith or opinion is arrogance?
Why was Hume wrong to have an opinion that Christianity might help someone?
Unlike the columnist who wrote this piece, I didn’t see or read Hume’s comments. However, was Hume being a little sarcastic about all the people who do something wrong and then find forgiveness? I remember Paris Hilton on Larry King saying the Bible helped her during her jail ordeal. When she was asked to name her favorite book of the Bible, she couldn’t even do that.
Your “two cents” is a bit generous.
Can you afford it?
You sir are a douchebag. True god and false god, lol, you sound like an idiot.
Wow Jason, someone says something you don’t like and all you can do is name call and LOL?
Rhetoric and conversational skills have collapsed in the U.S.
I agree 100% with the writer. If we now live in a country which was founded on a strong belief “IN GOD”, which half of you geniuses seem to forget, then we truly have fallen apart. Oh no we wouldn’t want to offend anybody….Get out of here thanks to Democrats and liberals everything has to be worded just right, so we don’t offend….Get outta here with that.
I think Hume should’ve merely figured out a way to do it privately. Right sentiment, wrong forum. I realize that might sound wishy-washy, but I think it’s a distinction worth making.
Our country was founded on a strong belief “In God” but it doesn’t mean the decisions that this country made were right. Let’s take Slavery, the near-wiping out of the Native Americans, and all the other atrocities this country has perpetrated based on the “Manifest Destiny” view of Christianity.
I’ll say it again and again… Brit Hume wasn’t speaking on behalf of Christians in America… he was speaking on behalf of himself and his belief but to inject that into the conversation regarding Tiger Woods is flat out wrong. Because let’s face it… a lot of so-called Christians in this country either don’t follow the principals that Jesus Christ himself left for us, or believe that its best for America’s to hold up the “This country was founded on Christianity banner”… just to present themselves as part of the best country in the world as well as the best religion in the world.
Our nation was founded on a belief in religious freedom. The fact that many of our founding fathers were humanists gets lost in there somehow. Ask yourself: how many people have been killed in wars started by Christians and how many have been killed in wars started by Buddhists, and how many wars would Jesus himself have started?
I find it interesting that the author seems to think that Brit Hume is taking more heat than Tiger is. I haven’t heard Hume’s name once on ESPN, or any of the broadcast news programs, but Tiger has been discussed wall to wall. I’m still looking for this liberal media everyone keeps talking about. The closest thing I can find is MSNBC, and they have a 3 hour morning show hosted by a conservative.
Let the man practice whatever religion he wants. He didn’t ask Brit Hume for advice, and Brit Hume should keep his advice to himself. If he were having a crisis of faith, he would probably talk to someone he knows and respects about it. He can certainly do better than watching Fox “News.”
Bravo !
May God Bless You exceeding Abundantly.
Arguments against Buddhism: http://kwelos.tripod.com/argumentsagainstbuddhism.htm
This thread has turned into a Fox News right wing conservative pissing contest. Blah.
To all Christians who agree with Hume: What if a TV personality practicing the Buddist faith had offered some live on the air advice to Jimmy Swaggart when he had his fall from Grace – that he could find more comfort if he turned his back on Christianity (which had obviously failed him)and began to practice the one ‘True’ Religion – Buddism? I’m sure you’d all have more than your 2 cents worth to contribute. But not to worry, I’m sure there would also be many Buddists out there more than willing to set you straight.
I would hope a person who practices a religion would believe it to be true. Unfortunately, there is little tolerance for those who believe that they have the truth nowadays.
Good article by the way.
Stop looking up, start looking in.
But while we’re on the subject, God is green and he folds.
Brit Hume is ignorant man.he should never say his religion is better than another religion.
He succeeed in ridiculing himself and his ‘superior’ jesus christ on TV.
Well, this looks like Mr Whomever here is trying to ratchet up his 15 minutes of fame since no knows him. And that is probably a good thing since as a ‘sports columnist’ his factual comments are not factual at all.
To wit:
He states that Britt Hume only made a,”
sincere, heart felt suggestion”. Not true at all. His suggestion was that Tiger’s religion, Buddhism won’t help him at all. Nice comment.
Then he went on to say, “it sounds as if Hume condemned Tiger. He did not.” I agree. He basically just condemned Buddhism. Even Jesus wouldn’t have done that.
He then incorrectly stated, that Hume was getting, “crucified” Again, I doubt Jesus would appreciate the comparison. All Hume got was criticized not crucified.
And lastly, this guy states that, “there is a true God or there is a false God’, suggesting yet again that Buddhism as well as ALL other religions are false. I guess this idiot talks to Jesus everyday at lunch with another well known lunatic who talks to God as well. Remember him? GWB
Maybe these two born again apostles might wanna ask Jesus or God how long it is gonna take to repair Haiti. And what the hell were they doing when the earthquake hit? Having lunch with those two holier than thous and Swaggert and Haggard and Falwell and God knows how many other self proclaimed saviors?
PS: I forgot Pat Robertson. I don’t want to get him pissed off at me. He might have someone destroy Asia which is where I am right now studying NOT Buddhism.
There is not one mention of God in our Constitution. The First amendment clearly states that ” Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. The words “In God We Trust” were added to our money long after the Founding Fathers were dead.
TIGER finally speaks in this exclusive video:
Thank you Mr. Jones. If Mr. Hume had joined the million who have slammed Tiger, nothing would have been said.
simply the name ‘ Jesus ‘ will stir people up. There is a reason for that.
and yes, I believe Jesus is the on true God.
I think many posts here prove the author’s point of people’s hostility to Christianity.
And to the ones who say that Jesus would not have judged the Buddhist religion, stop talking and read the Bible. You blaspheme His name, putting words in His mouth. Jesus is recorded saying in John 3:17-18, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Do Buddhists believe in the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ? No. Also Jesus says (Matthew 10:32-34,38-40), “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword…. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. He who receives you (talking to the disciples here), receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” Jesus teaches that salvation is only given to those who believe in Him and receive Him. This is the Christian faith. It is Christian love that shares the message of Christ who came into the world to save sinners. Christians shouldn’t want anyone to be condemned. Therefore we speak the good news of Christ. Brit Hume demonstrated love. Check this video out by the atheist Penn Jillette: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owZc3Xq8obk. He understands the logic of Christians sharing the faith.
Christians and Muslims have a long, sordid history of murdering Buddhists in spite of the commandment given by God not to kill. A little hostility shouldn’t surprise you. At least you needn’t fear a Buddhist murdering you and your family in the name of their crazy ass desert god.
Start evangelizing to us when you get your own house in order.
I remember in Jr High School we used to get into stupid arguments over my religion is better then yours.
Most adults have outgrown that. Not Brit Hume.
You either believe the same as Brit Hume – that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the light and that no one comes to the Father but through Him…and Tiger needs to ask forgiveness for his sins to receive Christ’s forgiveness and love – or you believe there are other ways to do this. Forget whether or not Hume should’ve shared the advice at that time, on that program, or in his role. You either believe what he said is correct or wrong. Read more about it in “Politics and Religion: Knowing Little But Never Being Wrong” – http://richardtgarner.blogspot.com/2010/01/politics-and-religion-knowing-little.html
You know, the nice thing about living in America is that any moron can get up in the morning think he is Jesus and start a ‘religion’ and no one is going to throw him in jail, unless of course he starts having sex with altar boys or raping women.
He/She can make long,rambling, inarticulate speeches based on total fabrication (bible) espousing the values of their religion and probably get a whole bunch of new followers.
It is amazing to me that whenever someone takes on an issue with the Christians they quote something from the Bible yet when someone points out something totally absurd from the Bible they say, “oh well, we just don’t know what exactly that means but so what?” Some people might want to know that Jesus was NOT the author of the Bible. In fact, there were several who made contributions.
It is interesting to me that there are so many varieties of Christians out there all fighing amongst themselves, yet at the bottom line they all appear to believe that ‘Jesus’ is the only savior to hitch a ride with.
Problem to me seems to be that all the other ‘religions’ including Buddhism which BTW is more a way of life than a religion methinks, also believe that their ‘religion’ is the right one. Which is one reason why taking on the Muslims isn’t ever gonna work because when you say, “stop or I’ll shoot you” they think about those 79 virgins they are gonna nail in heaven (or gitmo or wherever it is) and shoot back. But I digress. That is another story for another day.
The problem with Brit Hume or any other born again Christian or non-smoker or recovering alcoholic or whatever, to me is that while it is fine to having found something to be grateful for or to believe in, keep it to yourself unless one’s behavior is damaging you personally which Tiger’s was not to Brit Hume.
If someone asks you for your thoughts fine give it but since we are all still waiting for John Lennon to tell us if Jesus liked his music I think everyone is entitled to think what they want about which religion is the ‘only’ one that will get you to the pearly gates.
At least Tiger has the dough to pay the door charge to get in.
Brit Hume’s mistake was that the forum he used was not a discussion about religion and he used his public pulpit to rant about his ‘personal’ thoughts.
A more interesting question is why Chris Wallace, a Jew who was on the panel didn’t have the balls to take offense to Mr Hume.
Maybe F….s News should let all of us others opine about what we think Tiger should do on national TV as well. Maybe start a new program in prime time. I betcha the ratings would go thru the roof. You could get all the religious wackos on the show and then include us just normal every day wackos on the show and see what happens.
They could balance that out with holier than thou personalities like Rush Limbaugh and Hannnity and the fallaful man, Bill O’Reilly. And not to be sexist they could add that delighful Ann Coulter. Of course to balance her one would have to include a deaf, mute nun.
And the moderator for the show would be Bill Maher.
At least then it would be “Fair and Balanced” which is another joke spoon fed to all its listeners. If it was fair and balanced why do you have to proclaim it as such unless the idiots watching it aren’t smart enough to figure the bs out for themselves.
Sure would be interesting to know if they have cable up there in heaven. I wonder which news shows are ranked the highest. If it is Fox News I’m going straight to the confessional. Anyone know? LOL
Well said, Mr. Jones!
God Bless!
@John Lightner: well thought out and well articulated; thanks for taking the time.
The only statement I would like to comment upon was the claim that Buddhists believe “their ‘religion’ is the right one.” As a point of order, the Buddha chided each of his followers to believe nothing and to test all sacred cows in the crucible of mindfulness and their own experience.
In the Eightfold Path there is Right View which some teacher’s have boiled down to this: all views are wrong (because no single view, by itself, is complete).
I have been taught that there was no direct translation for the modern word ‘religion’ in the time and place of the historical Buddha. In Pali, the word for his teachings was ‘magga’ – a path.
Since there is no part of the Buddha’s path that compels a follower to worship one particular god over another (or any god at all) it is quite possible to be a Christian and walk the Buddhist path.
So Mr. Woods doesn’t have to choose between the two but can reap the benefits of both ways. Or neither.
One river; many boats.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HONESTY AND BRAVENESS TO BE OPEN ABOUT THE TRUTH. YOU ARE RIGHT. THIS IS ALL TEMPORARY HERE AND GOLF, ETC. WILL ALL PASS FOR TIGER.
So one can be a Buddhist and a Christian? Is that just as long as the Christian doesn’t believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and that no one can come to the Father except through Him? That would no longer be a Christian.
FANTASTIC article. This dude nailed it.
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