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December 29th, 2011
05:48 PM ET
Bill Maher takes on Tim Tebow and feels the wrathBy Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor (CNN)– On Christmas Eve the Denver Broncos were getting destroyed by the Buffalo Bills* on the football field and comedian, liberal commentator, and religious provocateur Bill Maher couldn't help but tweet about it.
People quickly responded to Maher on Twitter and called him (in summary) a hell bound atheist piece of trash. Maher's social media jab was picked up by the media too and landed in newspapers, websites and TVs everywhere. Pundits and twitter users called for a boycott of Maher's HBO show Real Time, and threatened to cancel their HBO subscriptions.
The timing could not have been better for Maher. The new season of his show begins next month and the week between Christmas and New Years is a veritable wasteland for actual news. In a world where no publicity is bad publicity, Maher scored big. Maher has long skewered people of all faiths as part of his act. In 2008, Maher starred in "Religulous" a documentary that poked fun at any and all religions. For all the fury aimed at Maher for the Tebow crack, the long time atheist received comparatively little heat for his Twitter dig at Jesus the next day on Christmas.
It was insulting Tim Tebow, not Jesus Christ, that drew the ire of a nation. "[Tebow's] public image is built on goodness and virtue," Patton Dodd said. Dodd is the author of "The Tebow Mystique: The Faith and Fans of Football's Most Polarizing Player" and the managing editor of Patheos.com. "His particular expression of Christianity, or Christian witness, is built on acts of kindness to the poor and needy and to strangers. It's not just taking a knee on the field and thanking Jesus after the games. I think a lot of his fans know that." Dodd said fans likely felt defensive towards Tebow, but acknowledged an athlete so public about their faith could not viewed as untouchable. "I think the difference here is what Maher said was particularly crass and crude and I think it's seen as aimed more ... at Tebow's fan base than Tebow," he said. For those who said Maher crossed an unspoken line with the tweet, comedian Pete Dominick said no way. "Our job is to push the envelope. There is no line for us. We don't have a line. You can make a joke about my kids getting cancer as long as it's funny. It has to be funny. That's the only rule, that it's funny. We're supposed to be controversial we're supposed to be provocative, that's what our job entails." "He's begging to be made fun of," Dominick said. Dominick, who is also the host of Stand Up! with Pete Dominick on the POTUS Chanel on SirusXM, said Tebow's outspokeness about his faith makes him a prime target for comedians. "He goes out on TV and talks about his faith, he puts it on his eye black. We're going to choose to make fun of it. Always." "I think it's the wrong thing to get upset about. It's a tweet. It's a predictable tweet from a guy who says these kinds of things and who has an audience who love him for those kinds of things," Dodd said. For his part Tebow has not commented on Maher's tweet, keeping true to his formula of not engaging critics. Dodd said part of what makes Tebow such a great athlete is his ability to block out the noise and focus on the game of football. Requests for comment from Maher were not responded to by his publicist but Maher tweeted on Wednesday night:
There Maher goes after Tebow in far more than in the 140 characters Twitter allows per post. If Tebow and his Bronco teammates can win on Sunday they will make the playoffs. *An earlier version of this story incorrectly had the Detroit Lions as the Broncos opponent. We regret the error and apologize to Bills fans everywhere. They have suffered enough this season. soundoff (2,202 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Wow, Tebow has a beard? Let me apply my right wing extremist logic and conclude that he must be a secret Muslim then. Where are Tebow's long form babtism records? What is he hiding? There is clearly a huge conspiracy surrounding his pretense of being a Christian while he's actually a secret Muslim.
While I admire your strong convictions in getting a cabinet position or czar in the Obama administration, I'm not so sure that this is the place to prove your indoctrination.
Seriously nice attempt at going extreme, but its 2011 and today you sound just like a typical mainstream Democrat, yours is now the norm of that party.
National Socialists, in American known as Democrats, have a real problem with us having freedom of religion, as well as freedom of speech and the right to own a gun. It sure does say so much about them and nothing at all about all the great Americans who respect the beliefs of each and every American like this Tebow guy.
The fabricated opposition they need to create when they speak their hate is typical of an ideology that is based only on hate, lies, and oppression. Don't expect them to fess up to it or to show remorse, they are incapable, after all they are still defending Dan Rather and Microsoft fonts being around in 1973. This is the real difference.
The National Socialists were an extreme RIGHT-wing movement, so think Tea Party instead!
That is only true in the world of Democrats like you who also believe that Microsoft fonts were around in 1973 and that the klan was started by Republicans not Democrats.
Reality is the exact opposite of what you think, ask yourself if that bothers you or if you just want to accept the truth and facts at face value. As a Republican I respect your right to believe lies, yet Democrats take issue with Conservatives who simply go by the truth and facts, that is quite telling, that is if what should matter really matters to you.
The republican party of wealth is more on putting controls than the Dems. The Republcans feel they should have all control over Child Birth and then not worry after the birth.
The tweet was uncalled for and senseless...
Yea those democrats 'believing' in lies like evolution and global climate change. What a bunch of idiots right?
It's easy to say that democrats believe in lies when you don't 'believe' in science or think that every news outlet in the country has liberal bias EXCEPT fox news. Living in a bubble like that gives you the ability to justify any feeling you have whatsoever.
doug
Still, the Nazis were Right-wing extremists. If you believe otherwise then you have a love for lies, not me, and what the hell do Microsoft fonts have to do with anything?!? Do they get through the aluminum foil you have wrapped around your head as protection from the government mind-readers? C.R.A.Z.Y!
Sadly, Maher, like so many of his ilk, derives a bizarre satisfaction from his mindless criticism of different views. So much for the Liberal's idea od tolerance and diversity.....if you don't believe as they do, you get mentioned in the same sentence as Hitler and smeared. HBO: if you read these, know I will never watch Maher and am ready to cancel my subscription. He's an idiot.
Exactly
Mark
And fundamentalist Christians in America are known for their tolerance of other religions and diverse political views?!?!!
Thanks Mark, no truer words have ever been spoken. The truth is a cancer to each and every Democrat, no desire to accept the facts of history, like the Democrats started the klan and that the Nazis were the National Socialist Party, comprised of a left wing intolerance that has way too many glaring similarities to that of our own Democrat party.
Sue – Is exercise of their first amendment rights intolerance? Fundamentalist Christians can be abrasive and outspoken, but I don't see them blowing themselves up at train stations. Although I am Christian, I have made posts against the fundamentalist movement in the Republican party. I believe in the separation of church and state and no religious group should try to force its beliefs on others through legislation.
WhyNo
There have been fundamentalist Christians who have killed doctors who preform abortions, and then there is Anders Behring Breivik. Maybe this is just the beginning?
@doug, please read up on the Nazi's. They were an extreme right wing group. The communists are an extreme left wing group. They did not get along...
When humans began to use their brains, (roughly 25,000 years ago) the creative people in the group (shamans) told stories, which explained to the group how to live in the world and get along. We are a social species and need each other to survive, and some people need rules to ensure this (don't kill others, help those in need, etc). This later became religion, and is the same story over various cultures, who reinterpret the story so that it makes sense to that particular culture and time. Some people need the promise of paradise, or threat of punishment to be decent people. Others don't. That is all.
Could you tell us the name of one of those 25,000 year old people?
@ just wondering – that's easy: Grok. Next question...
I think this one sentence says it all... "the week between Christmas and New Years is a veritable wasteland for actual news."
For the Christians out there: What Maher says about other Gods with the same bio is true, poorly stated but historically accurate. If you still have faith than none of this will deter your views and you need to ignore people like Maher as they surf the waves of notoriety. If this makes you question your faith than you need to do some research and decide how to accept that the current Christian representation of Jesus is a merging of many different religions during the Council of Nicaea.
Good luck!
-Scott
Break the chains. Ask some questions. Demand answers with specifics. Be free of the sick Christian religion and other supersti-tions in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
the council of nicaea is one many "christian" "catholics" refuse to acknoweldge..it is all there, how certain "powerful" church pick and choose what to be in the bible...
For those interested in a little research you might also look into the Biblical Canon or the origins of the Bible: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_of_the_Christian_Biblical_canon
Again, if you have faith than none of these inconsistencies will bother you. For the more reasoned out there – do your research and decide for yourself what makes sense.
-Scott
If it is appropriate to praise god when Tbow wins then it is appropriate to curs god when he loses.
Well said! The question for me is, does God care about football? If so, is God a Broncos fan? If God favors a team/player it is necessarily at the expense of the other team. The whole thing is simply silly.
If you doubt that God plays favorites, you clearly haven't read the old testament. God is like the worst parent ever, a drunken stepfather favoring some children and murdering others. I don't know whether to worship Him or refer Him to The Hague for Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide.
People worship Tebow, not Christ. Just as Tebow intended. Beware his master plan, America, beware!
C'mon he's a football player. He's not trying to take over the world. I bet your just full of conspiracy theories.
I Love Maher for pointing out hypocricy. I also love Tebow because at least he is FOR something. It's cool to have a strong belief and moral center as long as you are FOR something, rather than turning the corner over and being AGAINST others who don't share your beliefs. I'm cool with "Jesus is the way to Salvation", but not "so the rest of you are going to he-ll." You can claim you are right, but don't try to make me wrong.
2LiveJew
Who can argue that Hitler wasn't also 'for' something, or any other dictator, cult leader, or serial killer? Powerful convictions aren't always good things.
2LiveJew – What hypocrisy did Bill Maher point out? I don't see any hypocrisy in Tebow. All Maher did was trash a young NFL player for his religious beliefs. It was really just a cheap shot. The networks used to show NFL players from both teams -winners and losers, praying together after the game. It's not about winning or losing. It's about expressing humility and giving thanks to God for the opportunity to play.
Break the chains. Ask some questions. Demand answers. Be free of the sick Christian religion and other supersti-tions in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
One has to feel sorry for Bill Maher nothing really satisfy his troubled heart.
Blessed are the ones who believe in me (JESUS) and have not seen me.
The Bible is full of ups and downs-God still blesses us with a hope if YOU STAY ON COURSE--YOU WILL BE AN OVER COMER.
Feel sorry for Bill Maher–boycott his program--until he stops making fun of Christian believers–and if Sharia Law is ever implemented-IT IS MANDATORY YOU BELIEVE OR YOU WILL DIE___
Break the chains. Ask some questions. Demand answers. Be free of the sick doctrine of the Christian religion and other supersti-tions in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
Sharon: it is unlikely that you will be much of an "OVER COMER" as a Christian, given that religion's sorry history of suppression of female se-xua-lity and general closeting of se-x.
Considering the size of his bank account and all the new viewers this controversy will add to his audience, I doubt his heart is very troubled
I feel sorry for Sharon because her life is so deeply entrenched in something for which there is no proof whatsoever. I find it sad when the desire for fantasy overrides the obligation to reality.
I guess you are hoping for sharia law// then all those non-believers can be executed in the name of Jesus...oh wait the world already did that, in the name of God
Sharon – I think you're confusing Christianity with Islam. In Europe, where they have pretty much turned their backs on Christianity, Islam is spreading rapidly and eventually, they could be under Sharia law. Let's hope it never happens here.
Jesus was born in July...................look it up "christians" who know nothing of your own faith. Im an atheist and i know more about the historical accuracy or inaccuracy of the bible than most "christians" ive discussed it with. None of you educate yourselves and therefore never question the validity of your faith and it is therefore baseless as a moral or social compass.
Actually, Jem0276, it was sometime in early April. You need to re-research.
We know he wasn't actually born in December. This date was selected to coincide with Chanukah. It isn't really important when He was born. What's important is the lessons He taught us. Love thy neighbor as yourself. Do unto others as you would have done unto you. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. I suppose if you want to despise these teachings, that's your prerogative, but I don't understand why you find this so offensive.
I'm confused...
Most christians celeberate jesus' "representative" birthday on Dec 25 and I undrestand that – believers don't know when/if jesus was actually born, so that date is as good as any. But that well recognized christian expert HeavenScent says jesus was conceived on Dec 25 and born in Sept. But now we're being told he was born in June! Why do believers hope to convert atheists to their cult when they can't be consistent on something as easy as the birth date of their favouite zombie?
@ WhyNo: Sigh. If the message was 'Love thy Neighbor', why do Christian Taliban types hate on so many people? Like Ghandi said "I love your Jesus but I fear his Followers" WWJB = Who Would Jesus Bomb.
OOoooppps – I meant July above, not June, but now the big date is in April! I give up, and I think believers should too!
@2LiveJew – I don't know what you mean by "Christian Taliban" types. The Taliban is Islamic. We share very little in common with the Muslims. Judging from Bill Maher's tweet and the posted comments, it's the Christians who are receiving most of the hate. Our government is secular -not Christian. The goals of the government have nothing to do with Christianity. Judging by the posts here. I don't think you could even argue that America is a Christian country anymore.
WhyNo
"Love thy neighbor as yourself. Do unto others as you would have done unto you. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Nothing very unique about any of Jesus' teachings. The Golden Rule goes way back before Jesus, and the comments directed against Bill here clearly indicate that many Christians aren't really into that whole 'loving your enemy' thing.
Dear Timmy T,
The Apostles' Creed 2011: (updated by yours truly and based on the studies of historians and theologians of the past 200 years)
Should I believe in a god whose existence cannot be proven
and said god if he/she/it exists resides in an unproven,
human-created, spirit state of bliss called heaven??
I believe there was a 1st century CE, Jewish, simple,
preacher-man who was conceived by a Jewish carpenter
named Joseph living in Nazareth and born of a young Jewish
girl named Mary. (Some say he was a mamzer.)
Jesus was summarily crucified for being a temple rabble-rouser by
the Roman troops in Jerusalem serving under Pontius Pilate,
He was buried in an unmarked grave and still lies
a-mouldering in the ground somewhere outside of
Jerusalem.
Said Jesus' story was embellished and "mythicized" by
many semi-fiction writers. A descent into Hell, a bodily resurrection
and ascension stories were promulgated to compete with the
Caesar myths. Said stories were so popular that they
grew into a religion known today as Catholicism/Christianity
and featuring dark-age, daily wine to blood and bread to body rituals
called the eucharistic sacrifice of the non-atoning Jesus.
Amen
timmy and everyone with sanity hit report abuse on all reality bull sh it
Break the chains. Ask some questions. Be free of religion and other supersti-tions in 2012.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
Like all other "celebreties" Bill Maher needs to get his name in the spotlight every couple of months. He's an idiot.
Like all other showboating athletes, Tebow needs to single himself out on the field with gestures that have no true value but to elevate himself. Why say a quiet, humble prayer of thanks, when kneeling while the camera is rolling can get you publicity?
Same goes for all of America's religious leaders too.
If maher had really ever READ the Bible He never got anything out of it . I feel really sorry for anybody thatr pokes fun at Jesus and does´nt repent . Jesus fortold of things that were going to happen before he came back and the Bible in revaltions also
predicts things that have to happen before He comes back , example the Jews comming back to Israel , who would´ve ever thought that would happen , but it did .
Christians all read the Bible, but get different things out of it, which is why we have so many denominations. Atheists like Bill have just gotten something out of the Bible different that you. What makes you believe that you are correct and he isn't? Gut feeling?
Bill Maher makes things too personal to him. He's in the showbiz, he's an entertainer, he shows his true colors on screen.
As if Tim Tebow is the only NFL player who's ever prayed to God before in celebration to a touch down or what have you. Tim Tebow is a normal human being, a normal NFL player, with natural tendencies (to pray to his God)...
Bill Maher simply enjoys being direct with his "humor", while for example SNL, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert do not make things so personal, they're entertainers, and do not makes things persona,, or at least show the world the effects..
Bill Maher, get off your high horse man. Religion is never going away. So, have fun expending your hateful breathe on matters that you cannot control and you will not control.
Go Bill!
well the people that dont celebrate Christmas as Jesus bday (we all know that is not actually the day He was born but the day chosen to celebrate the birth of the King who saves us) can celebrate whatever "god" they believe in–to each his own i say–but those people should also leave Christians alone that do believe in God/the Trinity and choose to celebrate December 25th-let us celebrate-we are not pushing or forcing people to celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ if they dont believe that-they can celebrate buddah, and all those "gods" mentioned above by Maher! we have free will–so use it wisely! just leave all alone to do what they feel they need to do–agree to disagree!
You are free to celebrate, in private and on private property, just as people of every other faith do. None of this nativity scene at the county courthouse please. It's just not const.itutional.
To speak with God is the breath of life
To speak with 'god' will get you a reserved room complete with padded walls.
To speak with God you get a reservation to eternal hope
Break the chains. Ask some questions. Be free of religion and other foolish supersti-tions for 2012 and beyond.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
Honestly, do you have any proof of this? Kindly keep this kind of silliness out of the discussion.
Kids need the love of their parent's and the support of their community. Religion is one way to create such things but not the only means. You suggest that Atheism is devoid of community and love and see only your religion as means to this end. You are blinded by your religion and are welcome to my pity. Open your eyes and you will see many different places where community is alive and well.
None so blind as those who will not see.
-Scott
Hey, "Atheism is not healthy for children and other living things"
Did you google "Followers of Christ Church in Portland"? Did you see how many children died because their parents prayed for them instead of taking them to doctors? Is that why you are no longer spamming about how prayer works?
God is love
God is Truth
God is life
No one comes to the Father without Jesus.
Do tell. You should then be able to post a list of the folks who made it into heaven and exactly how you know they're there.
Go right ahead, dufus.
tom tom the pipers son
stole a pig and
so gave evidence to
a severe moral failing
never did trust that thief
Jesus is the way
Jesus is the Truth
Jesus is the life
No one enters the Kingdom of God
Except those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ
As their personal savior
Pray to receive Christ with all your heart
With all your mind and
With all your soul
What so many fail to realize is that science is just another mythology used to explain the world around us. It is a set of explanations based on observations, not necessarily truths. For example, what I was taught as fact in high school chemistry is now old hat and newer "facts" have replaced that information. Unfortunately, we have indoctrinated ourselves into believing so strongly in science that it too is worshiped as a god.
As a Christian I have my doubts about some things, but I have no doubt that there are truths that are basic to our needs as humans. Truth, integrity, respect for family,and fidelity are basic to our ability to live good, decent lives. Those truths have proved to be much longer lasting than those who place human knowledge at the apex of existence.
As for Bill Mahr, he is just an entertainer who wants to bait others and get attention for himself – another insecure class clown looking to make money off controversy.
Science is mythology?? I think you'd better lok up the meaning of those 2 words. Science evolves as our techology grows. We learn new things. We prove or dosprove what was thought before. So what "facts" have been replaced from Chem. class? A spherical Earth is no myth. A heliocentric system is not a myth. We know what causes thundeer and lightning. We know how planets form, astronomers have beautiful pics of acretion discs. We know how starts form and die. So how is science a myth? Last time I checked, science was used to challenge those myths, and also to expand our views of our world, both within and beyond.
science is not a mythology (LOL).. it's investigation under controlled conditions... oh, never mind
Sorry for the typos, it's 5:20 A.M. here and I'm "sleep-typing"
@Leo
The tools of discovery are improving every day, which allows greater discovery, and allows correction to what was previously thought to be true. The pursuit of the truth is ongoing. That's the beauty of science. It's self-correcting, and proof is required.
You said this:
"Truth, integrity, respect for family,and fidelity are basic to our ability to live good, decent lives."
What does this have to do with christianity? These are virtues all good people, no matter what faith or lack thereof, and no matter if they believe in science or not. In fact, if you look many at the republican Presidential candidate who wave the flag of christianity, you will find that they are some of the worst examples of those ideals.
I would add a few virtues to your list: Curiosity, courage and the desire for knowledge. These are the things that have allowed human progress. If you are using a computer, if you drive a car, if you have a house with running water and heat, perhaps you should take a moment to thank those people who embraced science while you embraced religion.
The tools of discovery is God imparting (sharing) knowledge to His creation. Knowledge is to be greatly increased in the last days. Biblical prophecy.
Leo, your post is hilarious. Thanks for the laughs.
I love how you nuts think that because you refuse to accept new knowledge it means said new knowledge is simply wrong.
Please don't reproduce.
The Problem...too many people worship this football player as though he was actually god...I think Bill Maher was making a point of how this country has been brainwashed by this guy along with some many other jocks