Earlier this week, some kids were suspended at a high school on Long Island for "Tebowing" — dropping to one knee in prayerful contemplation — in the hallways. Asked for his reaction, Tebow replied, "You have to respect the position of authority and people that God has put in authority over you, so that's part of it. But I think it does show courage from the kids, standing out and doing that, and some boldness."

First of all, God is involving Himself in how they select principals to run the high schools on Long Island? That's a bear of an interview process right there. And you will note the obvious passive-aggressiveness in the second part of the answer. Obey your principal because God got him the job, but, damn, these kids are brave in their faith to defy the principal's authority and, by extension of the first point, God's. This is childish. It is silly. And it also makes my head hurt.

If we're going to have a real discussion about the place of public religion in our public spectacles, then let's have one instead of some mushy, Wonder Bread platitudes about how great it is that Tim Tebow talks about Jesus and doesn't get caught doing strippers two at a time in the hot tub. If religion comes into the public square, it is as vulnerable as any other human institution to be pelted with produce. Ignorance does not become wisdom just because you gussy it up with the Gospels. If we keep faith with those American values, then we might just let him off the hook enough to see if he simply can become a better quarterback than Andy Dalton.

Charlie Pierce is one of my favorite columnists and authors. If you haven't read Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free, I suggest you check it out. The man has great thoughts on things.

If we're going to have a real discussion about the place of public religion in our public spectacles, then let's have one instead of some mushy, Wonder Bread platitudes about how great it is that Tim Tebow talks about Jesus and doesn't get caught doing strippers two at a time in the hot tub.

, irrgardless of whether people like you and me agree with his tactics or not.

Undubitably, Unregardlessly

If we're going to have a real discussion about the place of public religion in our public spectacles, then let's have one instead of some smarmy take on the stupidity of this backwards hick and how enlightened I am as a member of the erudite media that I realize the absurdity of it all.

The media can all get off their damn soapbox. Everybody knows who Tim Tebow is by now.

If you don't like his opinions, QUIT ASKING HIM FOR HIS REACTION TO EVERYTHING, or stop paying attention to it.




If we're going to have a real discussion about the place of public religion in our public spectacles, then let's have one instead of some smarmy take on the stupidity of this backwards hick and how enlightened I am as a member of the erudite media that I realize the absurdity of it all.

If you don't like his opinions, QUIT ASKING HIM FOR HIS REACTION TO EVERYTHING, or stop paying attention to it.

He knows exactly what he's doing, irrgardless of whether people like you and me agree with his tactics or not.

use that word again, and you are disqualified as a writer.

I've seen plenty of interviews where it is the first thing referenced on completely neutral questions.

Reporter: "Hey Tim, what are you feeling right now?"
Tim Tebow: (long speech about religion and how that did it for him)
Religionists:
Anti-Religionists:
Bernstein:

They still put the microphone in front of his face. If they think they are getting anything different, then the joke's on them.

If Christianity isn't the "correct" choice then the joke will eventually be on Tim Tebow.

Hell yes! Fucking infidel, go Bolts!!!

Kyle Orton sucks where's Rex?