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Fox’s senior network anchor suggested on air that a celebrity who may be Buddhist — Hume was not sure — should convert to Christianity. This is not a joke. Click here for transcript.
Tiger Woods will recover as a golfer. Whether he can recover as a person, I think is a very open question, and it’s a tragic situation with him. He’s lost his family, it’s not clear to me whether he’ll be able to have a relationship with his children, but the Tiger Woods that emerges once the news value dies out of this scandal, the extent to which he can recover, it seems to me, depends on his faith. He’s said to be a Buddhist, I don’t think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith, so my message to Tiger would be “Tiger, turn to the Christian faith, and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.
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Hume only shows his own ignorance with his ridiculous statement. The second of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism is that suffering is caused by desire and attachment. If ever there were a belief system that addresses Tiger’s problem, it’s one founded on the idea that desire causes suffering. Hume’s an idiot.
For a non-USAer it is unbelievable that people like Hume with a mind that borders on imbecility can become public figures. That really says a lot about the average Joe who even looks up to this kind of clowns.
Unlike Ed and Trish, I have a lot of respect for Britt. If Britt had said Tiger should consider Islam, or even Hinduism, he would not have been so scrutinized. It seems that in this country, where being politically correct is paramount, one can mention any religious belief–except Christianity. You don’t have to agree with Britt. Your religious beliefs may be different from his, and you are free to disagree. But his beliefs do not make him an “idiot” or “imbecile”. Those adjectives indicate narrowness and intolerance.
Believe what you will, but be tolerant of what others believe and hope that others are tolerant of your beliefs.
Mike, do not assume me being PC or anything else just for making up a foundation of your argumentation. Any religion/superstition, if it is used in this freaky way, shows that the believer is mentally living in an etheric world and intellectually not capable to understand the reality of human nature.
Btw, should you object to me not distinguishing between religion and superstition, then please explain me the factual, i.e. non-dogmatical theistic, reasons why Voodoo and Wicca are inferior to Islam or Christianity or Hinduism.
I’m not sure how Hume used his religion in a “freaky way”. Please explain further.
I’m also not sure about your usage of the term “etheric world” as it pertains to Hume’s particular beliefs. As far as I can tell, this is in reference to the occult–an intermediate between the physical and psychic world. This, of course, would not apply to Christianity. So, again, I will need more information. If you are inferring that Christians are living in some way between the physical and spiritual, with a distorted view of the human nature and disconnected with humanity, I would have to humbly disagree. Christians are very aware of human nature. Christians understand, all too often, how our own human natures affect us adversely. For a Christian, it is this human nature that we would like to put off, but cannot since we were born with it. Christians, then, trust in a higher power for strength to overcome our human natures–to treat others as we wish to be treated, to care for the physical needs of others, and to develop characters which will be in harmony with God.
Voodoo is a distortion of Christianity. It has, in fact, more than a few similarities with Christianity–namely the belief in one god who created all. Wicca is also a distortion of Christianity, which only came into existence in the early 20’s. It seems to me that it would be wiser to stick with the original over the distortion. It is interesting how many religions derived from Christianity. In fact, I would say that is a testament to the validity of Christianity.
I would encourage you, Ed, to experience Christianity for yourself. Maybe Britt is on to something?
It’s just nonsense to suggest that there would have been no outrage if Hume had suggested Woods convert to Islam or Hinduism. The Christian right would have freaked out, as would any professional journalist worth his or her salt.
What Hume is really saying to Woods is that he should become a Christian because Hume’s brand of right-wing Christianity is so easy on adulterers — that Christianity would give Woods the best deal.
Despite the fact that adultery is prohibited in two of the 10 Commandments, conservative Christian adulterers never suffer consequences. Examples of this include Sen. John Ensign, Gov. Mark Sanford and Rep. Chip Pickering, all of whom are Republicans who are members of the C Street Christian cult in Washington, the same cult that encouraged the Ugandan government to institute the death penalty for gays. The list of of other conservative Christian adulterers includes Republican Sens. David Vitter and Larry Craig and John McCain, former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich, for GOP Majority Leader Tom DeLay, former NYC Mayor Rudolph Giulliani, former right-wing megachurch preacher Ted Haggard, and Fox News commentators Dick Morris and Bill O’Reilly. Even St. Ronnie Reagan lived with Jane Wyman before they were married and while she was married to someone else.
But seriously, the main issue here — aside from Hume’s ignorance about Buddhism and his admission that he’s speculating that it is Woods’ religion — is that no respectable journalist would use his position to proselytize. But Hume lost all respectability years ago. He’s a flack — a propagandist for the right-wing corporate kleptocracy.
Lucky for Tiger Woods he’s not gay. If he were, Hume and his ilk would not welcome him. In fact, they would reject him, just as Hume rejected his own gay son Sandy, who committed suicide at age 28. The paradox is that adultery is considered such a huge sin in the Bible, whereas, by comparison, being gay is barely mentioned.
Hello Mike,
You disagree that Christians have a distorted view of human nature, although a few sentences later you state that those same Christians would very much like to put it off. The human=humane nature is good as well as bad; it is foolish to suppress and condemn the humane and factual aspect of life for an etheric argument. If someone argues that he needs a religion to know the difference between good and bad and do only the good, then that someone is failing as a human and, in Christian view, as well failing to be what his God has created him for.
Again, it is not valid to assume anything about my person and my religious history to fund an argument against my person in your one but last sentence; because I do not know you, I take what you say and not what I assume about you. I neither argue with you about your personal believe; if you believe and really live up to it, that is part of your personality and I will never argue against that. What I condemn is the holier-than-thou attitude that this man, and so many of the US Christian (in other countries: Muslem, Hindu, ….) make their own: if so desired for their personal view of religious reasons, they do not hesitate to revert to everything that is defined as bad in their own and any other religion and in non-religious humanity, murder included. And then it shows that they in reality belong to the scum of the earth themselves. Who was that general that some 8 years ago argued during breakfast prayer that his God, the Christian one, is better than the one from other religions? Can you really take such a person serious?
There is nothing to add to Jon’s comment, except that, since he came out of prison, preacher Bakker so lucidly demonstrates that it is people’s desire to be cheated.
Btw, do you consider the multiple and rich Christian healers also a distortion of Christianity or is that a rightful aspect of the true creed?
Jon, I agree that there are Christians who hide behind their faith, either for personal gain or in an attempt to cover what they are doing in secret. However, since I do not live in Mark Sanford’s shoes, or any of the others you mentioned, and since I am not God, I cannot be his judge.
The fact that there are Christians who commit adultery should not be interpreted as a failure of Christianity, but rather a failure of the individual. Also, the Bible does reject the practice of being gay in a number of places. However, it is the practice, not the person, that is rejected. Just like it is the practice of adultery that is rejected. Christians are to love and accept everyone, and forgiveness, even for acts of adultery, is a crucial part of that. It is really not about getting “the best deal”. It’s about love, acceptance and forgiveness–not about Hume’s “right-wing brand of Christianity”.
As for Hume’s relationship with his son, I believe your understanding of the situation may be incorrect. They had a very good relationship according to articles I read. Sandy was an alcoholic who had begun drinking heavily again. He committed suicide as a result of a DUI, which he believed would somehow ruin his career when the story came out. It was not, as I understand it, a result of being rejected by his father, which never happened.
As a Christian myself, I believe what Hume was really saying to Tiger ws that the God of Christianity could help him deal with the guilt of cheating on his wife, and the harm he has done to his children, as well as give him the strength he needed to discontinue his destructive lifestyle. Ultimately, there are no free passes. Sure, we are offered forgiveness, but in most cases, we are still allowed to experience the consequences of our mistakes, just as Tiger is now having to deal with his. It’s how we learn the difference between the way God gives us, which leads to happiness, and the way our human natures lead us.
I’m not sure how I feel about Britt “proselytizing” as a journalist. On one hand I see your point. On the other, I feel that there is a general lack of respect for religion expressed in mainstream journalism that I would consider proselytizing as well. I’ll have to think about that one a little more.
Thanks for the great discussion, Ed. It’s good for me to be mentally stretched by hearing the viewpoints of others.
I watched the video of Hume and didn’t detect a “holier-than-thou” attitude coming out. I don’t believe Hume sees himself as a better man than Tiger. What I saw coming out of Hume’s comment was a concern for Tiger for the guilt that he will be dealing with for the hurt he has caused his family.
As for “rich Christian healers”, I believe there is evidence to show that there have been those who use religion for gain. But as I mentioned in my reply to Jon, the failure of Christians should not be interpreted as a failure of Christianity. God does not remove our freedom to choose. But when we truly connect ourselves to Him, he gives the power we need to make right choices.
Thanks Britt for the boldness to tell Tiger and the world that Christ is the
answer for Tigers problems. In fact, had Tiger been a been a true believer he would probably not have gotten involved with other women.
It is so refreshing to have a man like Brit Hume on TV. He is made of what our founding fathers built this great country on. I hope Tiger woods accepts Brit’s wonderful advice and becomes a Christian. This is our only hope in this world for God does answer prayer….Sometimes the answer is not now….sometimes it is no….sometimes yes…for God ’s think ing is so superior to man’s He knows what we need when we often do not…1 Cor 1:25
Britt,
At least someone has the courage to speak the truth in a difficult situation. No matter what Tiger is our brother. He has sinned like all other men. The world may not like the fact that Tiger has access to forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Christ hung, bled and died for the right to offer us a salvation and no devil in hell can take away that fact. Let’s pray that some Christian has access to Tiger to offer Christ to him and Christ will cleanse him no matter what the media or any other venue may espouse. God bless you.
It is time people like Brit Hume are not afraid to express what is right and not be scared of few ignorant people. When did we get to the point where a Christian is rebuked for telling the truth.
cherubian, we got to that point about the time so many Christians became odious assholes.
Dear Mr. Hume, I just watched your comments to Tiger Woods on Utube, and I do agree that when someone is truly a Christian, he/she will try with the help of God to live according to God’s word, the Bible. But even then, people make a lot of mistakes and wrong decisions, daily. I feel sorry for Tiger, as well as for all those who looked up to him. (If I had done what Tiger did, only the closest community would have been aware of it.)
But why do people blow up when one talks about their believes, the way you did on the video? It’s because Satan sets them up to it. Satan does not want Jesus to have the upper hand in any way, shape, or form. He uses unbelievers to do his bidding for him. We believers have to pray for them.
Anyone, who does not choose to bow their knee now, will one day have no choice, but to bow before the King of the universe. That is a fact.
It always amazes me when Christians and non-Christians/non-believers of the Christian faith come together to discuss faith and religion, non-believers default to explosive anger and what seems to be pure hate and rage.
I do not understand why Christians are labeled as judgemental idiots and ‘assholes’ for attempting to have an open minded, adult discussion about religion. Why must non-believers resort to insults and snide comments? .
What do we do that is SO offensive to non-believers? I really would be interested to know.
I feel like we, Christians, are very open to discussion and seeing both sides of the story. I know that I am personally very accepting of everyone – race, religious affliation, sexual preferance – I hold nothing against anyone. I label no one. I’m loving, forgiving, accepting, and understanding and very tolerant of others opinion and beliefs.
The double standard is getting EXTREMELY old. People swear. I say nothing. People offend me. I say nothing. People live lifestyles I do not necessarily agree with. I say nothing…. I mention my faith or my God and without fail, someone will insult me, mock me, curse at me, remind me how idiotic my beliefs are. The freedom of speech stopped being free a long time ago. The price of Christianity is anything but FREE.
Jules – Those who do not accept the truth of Christianity do not have a clue as to what Christianity is. They are confused and will stay confused until their dying day unless they accept the FACT that Jesus is their only way to God and heaven. God is not going to reveal truth to someone who does not want it revealed. God is the one who chooses to lift the blindness from your eyes. You cannot do it nor can your church, your friends, your religion or anything you might choose. Religion is just that, a religion. You can make a religion out of anything. True Christianity is Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone…True Christianity crucifies the individual and makes him/her totally dependent on God through the power of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus Christ. These people become abusive with their words because of their blind spritual life.
[...] Notes a commenter at Pensitoreview: Despite the fact that adultery is prohibited in two of the 10 Commandments, conservative Christian adulterers never suffer consequences. Examples of this include Sen. John Ensign, Gov. Mark Sanford and Rep. Chip Pickering, all of whom are Republicans who are members of the C Street Christian cult in Washington, the same cult that encouraged the Ugandan government to institute the death penalty for gays. The list of of other conservative Christian adulterers includes Republican Sens. David Vitter and Larry Craig and John McCain, former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich, for GOP Majority Leader Tom DeLay, former NYC Mayor Rudolph Giulliani, former right-wing megachurch preacher Ted Haggard, and Fox News commentators Dick Morris and Bill O’Reilly. Tags: evangelical adulterers, gay marriage, hypocritical evangelical Christians [...]
Reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in all other understanding. Some don’t understand what they don’t know.