One Heathen’s Opinion
As I paused my Christopher Hitchens’ podcast and removed the bookmark on my latest Richard Dawkins book, I wondered: Why am I a Tim Tebow fan? After all, Kurt Warner annoyed the heck out of me with his appeals to Jesus. What makes Tebow different?
For one, Warner converted later in life, at a time when he should have known better. Tebow did not stand a chance with his starry-eyed missionary parents brainwashing him from day one.
This brainwashing has led to an undeniable earnestness and sincerity that is obviously not faked. The kid, as I call him, is dead serious.
Unlike so many athletes, Tebow will not let you down. He will not be caught in a bizarre incident at a night club at 3:00 in the morning. He will not father illegitimate kids, test positive for drugs, or defile his skin with ridiculous tattoos.
Funny thing is, he COULD do all these things, then simply ask for forgiveness. His ticket to heaven would remain valid. Sin, forgive, sin, forgive, repeat. Doesn’t sound like a recipe for morality, but that’s another essay.
As it stands, Tebow’s life includes no such sin/repeat pattern, and there is comfort in this for his fans. His self control is simply staggering.
Bathrooms and Brothels
Tim Tebow could literally enjoy the favors of a different woman every day. As one person wrote, he could have opened his own personal brothel at the University of Florida, and yet he did not.
Most of all, Tebow represents the power of the human will. The scouts say his motion is problematic, his footwork is flawed, and he doesn’t read defenses. Somehow, a guy who is 6’ 3” and 250 pounds, has become an underdog.
I want to see an underdog succeed. As they say in the film Gattaca, there is no gene for the human spirit, and there is no accounting for a leader like Tebow.
You get the feeling that his team mates would walk through a hale of bullets for him. On the other end of the spectrum is Kyle Orton, who seemingly could not lead his team to a bathroom.
Meanwhile, Tebow seems above his critics in a remarkable Howard Roarkian way. He simply does not care, and merely vows to get better every day. Ultimately, that is a noble goal, and it is a distinctively earth-based goal.
Rape? Pillage? Play Football?
We only have life on earth, and improving one day at a time is a worthy human endeavor. If I believed in an eternal afterlife, I would pretty much do nothing. Why bother? Human life is less than a grain of salt in the ocean when compared to eternity.
As an atheist, I value reason and morality on earth. I treat others as I wish to be treated. I do this not because of the threat of hell, but because it makes for a better life on earth.
Evolution has bred a kinship into our species. As Hitchens was fond of saying, we could not have even made it roughly 98,000 years (prior to the arrival of Jesus) without this inherent cooperation. I realize this rationale may be less satisfying than a deity, but it is at least honest.
I often wonder: If it could be demonstrated to Tim Tebow, with no ambiguity, that no deities exist, would he fall apart? Would he rape, pillage, and give up?
Or would he begin the difficult process of forming a set of values based on science, reason, and cooperation? Do you NEED deities to be decent? I don’t think so.
Future is Uncertain
As I write this, Tebow’s NFL fate remains unknown. He had a miserable four-interception performance against the Bills on 12/23/11, and another rough outing against the Chiefs in the season finale, including a key fumble.
Other QBs have similar outings, but if Tebow does it, the critics say his career is over or he has no business on an NFL field. The fact is that the kid will fail on occasion, as they all do. Until 2011, Alex Smith was considered an NFL bust. QBs need experience and time to grow. Tebow is no different.
I happen to share the critics’ gripes. I agree that defenses will likely catch up to him, but that is why I root for him all the more. I want to see the odds defied. I want to see a “good guy” do well.
Watch Tebow Mic’d up against the bears on YouTube. See how he takes time with a child before the game, banters with his opponents, and gets up after huge hits.
Watch Tebow on youtube as he fulfills a young sick kid’s wish to meet him. He is not faking. Those who hate Tim Tebow have a heart of stone.
Going to Hell
I know that Tebow earnestly believes I am going to hell for my lack of belief in Jesus Christ. That is fine with me. I also know that Tebow would likely try to convince me to believe in his deity. That is also fine.
Increasingly, I have taken the Penn Jillette approach to proselytizers, and that is that I am glad they think enough of me to want to save my soul. No, I will never believe, but if their nonsense does not hurt me or pick my pocket, then so be it.
People ask: How can you even get out of bed if there is no god? Where is your sense of awe? Your sense of purpose? For me, the amazing fact of evolution is awe inspiring enough. As for purpose, humans create their own purpose. Always have, always will.
Human achievement is awe inspiring. Human achievement is why we don’t simply pray in church all day, but choose to watch and play sports.
We watch movies to experience great art, and dole out Nobel prizes for great scientific accomplishments. We fall in love, knowing that heart break is a distinct possibility.
The Human Spirit
I do not believe in deities, but I believe in the human spirit. Tim Tebow is one of many athletes who exemplify that spirit. If Tebow loses in grand fashion in the 2011 playoff game, his underdog status only grows.
If he loses, you know he will work harder in the offseason than ever before. That is all you can ask. Results are not guaranteed, but great competitors control their effort and attitude. On those two attributes, Tebow is the best player in the NFL.
I wish him all the luck in the world, and I say thank you to him for what he has done—donating money for hospitals, comforting sick children, and showing excellent sportsmanship. I also appreciate that he has NOT engaged in criminal acts.
Withstanding the Hate
Commentators have said the ol’ fiery attitude has been missing on the sideline, and I hope the kid does not get too down on himself. There is an innocence and enthusiasm that should remain unbroken, and I hope he can withstand the hate. It may be a fairytale, but perhaps his religion can help shield him from the criticism.
Ultimately, it is too easy to criticize Tebow. His numbers are sub standard, and lately his turnovers are up. However, it gets tiresome seeing old, out of shape sports announcers pontificating about this elite athlete. It’s their job to pontificate, but it gets rather pathetic.
I want to see your comments. I want to know: Am I the only “Atheist for Tebow?” Probably not, but I suspect it’s a small number. Don’t bother putting on the ALL CAPS and sharing the erudite sentiment of “Tebow sucks.” Those comments will simply get deleted.
Show a little thought, keep out the profanity, and you will have the honor of space in the comment section.
Finally, I hope the Broncos keep Tim Tebow, and I look forward to Tebow 2.0 in 2012. And who knows? He could lay some hurt on the Steelers. We shall see.
Atheists for Tebow!
Pass it on.
January 2012