I'm pretty sure by now you've heard the term "Tebowing" if you're a sports fan but if not let me bring you in to the latest. The following is a re-post from Christine Thomasos, a Christian Post Reporter for ChristianPost.com.
"After some Detroit Lions players mocked Denver Broncos’ Tim Tebow’s prayer stance on the football field, some have questioned if lines were crossed and the QB’s faith was the butt of the joke.
Jemele Hill, ESPN reporter, said the QB’s faith should be off limits to opponents.
“Ridicule Tim Tebow for his slow release, for missing open receivers, for throwing passes that sail out of bounds, and for sometimes dancing in the pocket like someone put a firecracker in his cleats,” Hill wrote. “That's fair game. But mocking Tebow's Christian beliefs is not.”
However, Detroit linebacker Stephen Tulloch took to Twitter to explain that his actions may have been taken out of context.
“Football is a form of entertainment," Tulloch tweeted. "Have a sense of humor. I wasn't mocking GOD!"
Tony Scheffler, Lions’ tight end, joined in poking fun at the Tebow meme, after catching a touchdown pass and pretending to kneel with his hand on his forehead.
"It's one of those things where you're so amped up, especially being back kind of where it all started for me," Scheffler said after the game. "I was amped up just doing whatever came into my head. It was fun."
However, Hill made it very clear that prayer was a sensitive subject for many.
“Prayer is a sacred component of any religion,” Hill wrote in an ESPN report. “Making fun of someone else's spiritual connection is on par with ridiculing them about their family. You don't have to be a Christian to get that, just someone who understands the concept of respect.”
Jim Schwartz, Lions’ coach, said he did not like the way his team was being framed as villains.
“I don't think that's appropriate at all for anybody associated with the game to bill it that way and it was especially disappointing coming from an arm of the NFL," Schwartz said in an ESPN report.
While many have debated the issue, Tebow took to his Twitter to continue showcasing his Christian devotion.
“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart,” Tebow tweeted. “For consider what great things he has done for you.”
Okay, so here's my take on this. Tebow, being the man of faith that he is, took the right action by removing the situation from his hands to the Lord's hands and simply moving. He forgave his enemies and called it a day. As for Tulloch's remark on Twitter I would have to say, "Sweetheart, no one stated you were "mocking GOD" per say, but what do you call mocking Tebow's faith?" Let's not forget the other player who was caught up in the moment, Scheffler. Of all the ways to celebrate that was the only thing you came up with? When you are so ignorant that you would rather defend your mocking of one's faith instead of simply apologizing to all who took offense is dreadfully absurd.
Please don't mistake me for some chick who's not into sports. I'm a die-hard Bears fan and no one made light of Head Coach Lovie Smith's faith nor Tony Dungy. Let's not forget former Arizona Cardinal's Kurt Warner who is also a devoted Christian. This list is endless, therefore it needs to be address. As it written in Gal. 6:7 "Don't be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows"
In a recent poll given by ESPN, nearly 75,000 responded to the question "What do you think Lions LB Stephen Tulloch was doing in dropping to a knee in prayerful pose after sacking Tim Tebow?". This resulted with 60% saying that Tulloch was definitely mocking Tebow while 40% stated he was just having fun. I'll include myself to the 60%. I have never seen anyone mock any of the Muslim players and I don't want to. No one of any faith or belief should be mocked.
