The KJV of the Bible says in Matthew 6:5:
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
This translates, in more simple language, that praising Jesus should be done in secret and not for gaining public praise. Who has made more money and earned more fame by public prayer than Tim Tebow? Perhaps Joel Osteen or some other mega-cathedral televangelist, but Timmy is young and is trying to follow in their footsteps to win big from exploiting the name of his lord and savior. Good Morning America has recently hired the ex-University of Florida QB to appear in a segment called Motivate Me Monday.
Tebow began his pro career in Denver, having a fair amount of success with the Broncos in his second season. He spent the next season as a back-up QB for the Jets, then another as a back-up Patriots QB. He was cut after four not-so-memorable years in the league. But Tebow had a back up plan of his own. He saw dollar signs elsewhere and he could make more bank by exploiting his Christian, wholesome image than he could in the NFL, without all those concussions.
He has earned reverence and criticism with his public displays of kneeling for Jesus, but most importantly, he has earned beaucoup bucks with his speaking engagements at mega-churches, who often export their brand of homophobia to poverty-stricken populations in third world countries. ESPN uses Tebow as an analyst on SEC games.
But the biggest allure of Tebow is the opportunity for the right-wing-religious-sports-enthusiasts to play the victim, the poor persecuted victim of that liberal debauchery replacing the traditional family values of fine people like Ted Haggard and Jim Bakker. The Baptist Press, in an article about Tebow, complained,
Some Tebow supporters have cried foul over the secular media criticizing the quarterback for being too outspoken about his Christian faith while other athletes -- the NBA's Jason Collins and NFL's Michael Sam -- have drawn praise for going public about their sexual orientation.
The Christian Right is always pushing their way into the mainstream media. Each Monday, Timmy Tebow will present a story that will "inspire" and motivate the viewers. But we all know what Tebow is trying to do. He's trying to deal an ounce of god to a country and a world that is losing its faith in the anti-scientific, intolerant and pro-bigotry Christian religion. God needs money, and Tebow will certainly earn a nice salary by selling Jesus.
