How would our society react if during every interview, Tebow said "Insha'Allah" or "Allāhu Akbar" rather than thank his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Or instead of falling to one knee and praying, Tebow pulled out a prayer rug and faced Mecca? ...
There is no way to separate the man and the religion. Some people praise him for it, others recoil. When this happens, avid defenders of Tebow invoke freedom of religion. But as Tebowmania makes its way into politics, sports, religion and the everyday life of the mainstream United States, it is important to think about how we approach religion in this country. How we approach religious freedom in this country. Do we accept freedom of religion, any religion? Or do we accept freedom of Christianity?
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Is There True Freedom Of Religion In The United States?
Consider Marcus Cederstrom's question in Salon: "What if Tim Tebow were Muslim?"
I don't think the Salon article is about freedom of religion, as much as the freedoms granted the dominant culture vs that given marginalized groups (or in the case of Muslims, demonized groups).
ReplyDeleteBut maybe in this case it's the same thing.
I hope it's ok to post Tebowie here.
ReplyDeleteSomehow our more extreme USAian Christian sects have managed to convince themselves that they are a persecuted minority hiding in the catacombs from the centurions' scourges and the colosseum's lions. Apparently, for them that fantasy cuts through life's ordinary boredom the rest of us have to suffer and gives their every thought, word, and action an eschatological zing.
ReplyDeleteTebow is their current Christ-like figure, bravely worshipping his God despite the sneers, scoffs, and scorn of the secular sinners surrounding him.
Somehow our more extreme USAian Christian sects have managed to convince themselves that they are a persecuted minority
ReplyDeleteRight up there with the "liberal media", the liberal activist judges, the endangered white male.