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writing for godot

Would Tim Tebow Damn Michael Sam to Hell?

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Written by David Starr   
Wednesday, 28 May 2014 02:54
A piece by Cal Thomas on the Foxnews opinion page (5/16/2014) offers up an attempt to view former football star and religious fanatic Tim Tebow as a victim within U.S. society, while gay football player Michael Sam is portrayed as a media darling. Thomas says that if one criticizes a gay person for doing anything at all, one risks "ostracism, suspension or loss of your livelihood."

Have gays been exempt from criticism? Look at history. Gays have been targets not only of criticism, but of assaults and for murder as well. They've been damned to hell by religious fanatics. Some people who think they have a pipeline to God say, "God hates fags."

It was thus inevitable that a gay rights movement would come into being. Now that it has gained momentum, Thomas says free speech is at risk. He specifically referred to Miami Dolphins safety Don Jones tweeting the message "horrible" when Sam kissed his partner. Jones later apologized. It sounds a bit much, but the gay rights movement has been accepted, and with that is the winding down of stereotypical, homophobic attitudes.

Thomas cites a "cultural double standard" when comparing how Tebow has been treated wrong while Sam is treated right. The former for his fervent religious beliefs. The latter for his gayness. If Thomas is so adamant that gays not be treated special, that's fine. But, religion should have the same treatment, i.e., being questioned and criticized.

Historically, and now, religion has been a dominant force within U.S. society. There hasn't been a rejection of religion like there has been a rejection of gays. Fanatics vehemently condemn homosexuality as a sin because it was written as such in a book created over 2,000 years ago. It's a shame they have to be told that times have changed. Despite the dumbed-down factor, U.S. society has historically evolved when looking at slavery, desegregation, civil rights, and, now, the gay issue.

Tim Tebow is not a victim. Thomas admits that at one time Tebow was a celebrity: "TV ratings spiked, and jersey and other gear with Tebow's name on it sold well..." He is a spokesperson for Nike, Jockey International and TiVo. But Tebow is also a symbol of an antiquated position on religion. More people than before say they have no belief, and the numbers are rising. Through history, religion has gradually become less and less of an influence, even though large numbers of peoples are religious today. Change usually starts small.

The religious right are trying to stop not only change but are trying to impose their religion on others, whether directly or through the back door (for example, through Intelligent Design). Tebow, however, appears not to be vehement about it. Still, the monotheism he has embraced has been intolerant of others...like gays.

Michael Sam did hit a milestone by being the first openly gay football player to be drafted into the National Football League. But Thomas seems to play that down and, instead, views Sam as a double standard. Thomas can't tell the difference between a domineering force like religion and a certain group that has been the target of that force, gays being another "Other."

Thomas is correct in alluding to the idea that no one is exempt from criticism, including gays. But would Tim Tebow condemn Michael Sam to hell? If so, that's par for the course within the religious right.
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