Religious Player Hating: Tebow and Suggs

As a Ravens fan and a big Tim Tebow fan, I was VERY disappointed to hear Terrell Suggs (T. Sizzle, from Ball So Hard University) mocking Tebow for his prayer and focus on God.  Criticize his play all you want, but don't go after his religion. 

Tebow may not be a very good quarterback but he seems to be one of the most nicest, most sincere people in the world and shows amazing work ethic and heart. It is amazing how many lives he's touched and hearts he's opened at such a young age. I have no doubt that his faith is sincere and I don't like people mocking it. It's not as if he is the first pro athlete to honor God on the field, why do people insist on acting like he is some kind of freak?

T. Sizzle has to have seen his teammates praying on the sidelines before, during, and after games so it is ridiculous that he goes after Tebow for doing so. Wonder if Sizzle ever saw this Sports Illustrated cover of Ravens future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis calling him "God's Linebacker":

And here's video of Ray Lewis talking about the Raven's last second win against the Steelers on November 6, 2011 and telling the team: "Position yourself so that when God is getting ready to pour out blessings, you’re in position to receive those blessings...  I kept going to them and saying, 'It's His will, let His will be done.' ... God is amazing!"

 

Now, the religious player haters say God doesn't care about who wins or loses football games, but God does care about each one of us individually and has a plan for us through every success and defeat in our lives.  The players who are sincere and mature in their relationship with God are not praying to win games but praying/thanking God for physical protection for themselves and the other players, the blessings He has bestowed upon them, the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability, and that His will be done through them.

I see nothing wrong with players thanking God after wins (and they should thank him after loses, too) because at the very least it is displaying a humility that is not seen enough in sports or today's world.  It is important to acknowledge that there is a higher being greater than oneself and that your accomplishments are not yours alone, the glory is to God. 

That's why it saddens me that one of the best players on my favorite team seemed to mock it.  I hope Suggs' eyes are opened and he embraces the power of prayer and faithfulness, which is greater and more everlasting than any Super Bowl win here on earth.

Can Prayer Cause Irreparable Harm?

This is a pretty unbelievable story. How could anyone “suffer irreparable harm” from hearing the words "prayer" or "amen"??? Are they vampires who will burn at the sight of a cross? Are they demons afraid of being cast out? THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!!!

And even if you're a freedom FROM religion type of person, you should at least be appalled by a judge banning not only prayer, but the use of specific words or phrases - punishable by jail. Could there be a more clear violation of "abridging the freedom of speech?"

All this because the student in question felt "anxiety." Since when is anxiety irreparable harm? This kid needs to go out into the real world and learn to interact with others and deal with LIFE. Yeah, there are people and situations out there that will cause you worry or concern but you can't always go run and hide under a judge's robes.

How sad that to protect one student's right to ... not be anxious, other students' legitimate right to free speech is stripped. Worse, that this decision was made by a federal judge - it drives me CRAZY that illiterate people like him control our legal system!!!

Where in the Constitution does it say that certain words can be banned? Maybe look somewhere between separation of church and state and penumbras formed by emanations.

Amplify’d from www.foxnews.com

Federal Judge Prohibits Prayer at Texas Graduation Ceremony

forbids students from using specific religious words including “prayer” and “amen.”

The judge declared that the Schultz family and their son would “suffer irreparable harm” if anyone prayed at the ceremony.

Judge Biery’s ruling banned students and other speakers from using religious language in their speeches. Among the banned words or phrases are: “join in prayer,” “bow their heads,” “amen,” and “prayer.”

He also ordered the school district to remove the terms “invocation” and “benediction” from the graduation program.

“These terms shall be replaced with ‘opening remarks’ and ‘closing remarks,'” the judge’s order stated. His ruling also prohibits anyone from saying, “in [a deity’s name] we pray.”

Should a student violate the order, school district officials could find themselves in legal trouble. Judge Biery ordered that his ruling be “enforced by incarceration or other sanctions for contempt of Court if not obeyed by District official (sic) and their agents.”

“It [prayer at graduation] caused [student in lawsuit] a great deal of anxiety,”

“At graduation, I would love to be able to speak from my heart,” she told the TV station. “But in this situation I feel my freedom of speech and my First Amendment is being infringed upon if I can’t say what I feel.”

Read more at www.foxnews.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a14eoy