This past Sunday morning on Fox News, Brit Hume was asked if he thought Tiger Woods could make a comeback. Hume replied:"The extent to which he (Tiger) recovers 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: turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world." (see the 1 min video)
Brit Hume has received a lot of praise for his comments and also a lot of criticism. Hume and others have sited the criticism as another example of Christianity under attack in America. So my questions for you:
Are these comments appropriate for a news anchor? Is there any warrent to those who are offended by these remarks? Are the criticisms of Hume's remarks an example of Christianity under attack in America? Is "Christianity" the answer to Tiger's problems?
7 comments:
I just watched the video...
To me, I don't see what the big deal is. Hume never said that Tiger shouldn't return to golf until he accepts Jesus, and such a statement would be ridiculous.
Hume did offer his own personal faith assessment of where he think Tiger needs to go, but it was only a suggestion - and Tiger can take it or leave it.
If you look up the term "news anchor" in the dictionary, it says the following: "a host of a regular news broadcast". Nowhere in there does it say that an anchor cannot offer commentary on something, which is exactly what Hume did.
Keith Olberman does this all the time on his show. When GW Bush was in office, it was pretty clear from almost the beginning that Olberman not only didn't approve of Bush's policies, but also had a deep-seeded almost hatred for the man. If it's okay for Olberman, then surely it's okay for Hume.
Being offended is something we all have a right to; a right that in my mind, is way over-utilized. More than ever, America is the melting pot of the world; which is a good thing, but presents some challenges, too. But if we go around being offended every single time somebody makes a comment or statement that we don't completely agree with, we are going to live long, miserable lives. And I find THAT to be offensive! ;)
Offer any other advise and it is acceptable. Offer the opinion that Christianity is the avenue to hope and restoration and it is offensive. Brit Hume offered a path for hope to Tiger Woods. He said it clearly and without anger or rancor to anything else.
Why is offering what we know to be hope and redemption offensive? And so they are offended, what do they have to offer? What are their. solutions?
Hume expressed his opinion, he gave his view. I applaud his words and his wisdom.
I've heard many Christians say very unChristian things and be criticized for it. Instead of wondering if what they said is appropriate, they take the criticism as proof that they said the right thing. After all, Jesus said the world would hate us for believing in him, right? Too often, Christians, especially on the extreme right wing of the political and religious spectrum in this country, use that and the "Christianity under attack" mantra to justify whatever they want.
As far as Brit Hume is concerned, his statement won't help dissuade many people's opinions that Fox News is not a news organization but a tabloid promoting right wing political and religious propaganda. However, he's not technically a news anchor, but a commentator, so his comments were probably in-bounds as he was merely commenting on the situation. If Hume really wanted to express his opinion about Tiger Woods and Christianity's potential role in his redemption, he would've been better served going on the 700 Club or a similar program.
Another thing we have to ask ourselves is, Would Jesus have gone on Fox News to tell Tiger Woods (and the millions of Americans who were watching) to become a Christian, or would he have knocked on his door and gone in for a private conversation? Why do we think that every time a Christian opens his or her mouth in the public square, even if he or she is speaking the truth, that it's the right thing to do?
Hi Dave,
No I don't think what he said was appropriate, fueling religious intolerance. We need unity not exclusivity. I think he needs to spend some time with Karen Armstrong...Please see the Charter for Compassion.
http://charterforcompassion.org/
Amy,
I'm curious... In your mind, what was so intolerant about what Hume said?
I believe the intolerance is implied in this case. If someone from Fox News said "Islam is Tiger Woods' only hope for redemption," Christians would be up in arms and claim Muslims are intolerant even though it wasn't actually said. As Christians, we should be aware that not everyone thinks or believes like us, and that going on a national news program to espouse our beliefs probably isn't the most effective way to minister to people. You may say, "But it's the truth! Christians shouldn't be afraid to speak the truth!" This is true, but there are appropriate times and places for that. I don't believe Fox News is the appropriate time or place to go into detail about the state of Tiger Woods' faith.
What's more, as Christians in America, we have to understand that we are not a Christian nation nor have we ever been one. This isn't a theocracy; everyone is free to practice whatever religion they want. It has always been this way, and let's hope it stays that way. However, amongst American Christians, most likely because it has been the dominant religion here for so long, there is an attitude of superiority when it comes to talking about Jesus or Christianity: "We're right, you're wrong, we can talk about it whenever and however we like. Repent or go to hell." But we need to ask ourselves this: How would we Christians like it if someone from another religion was talking to us like that? How would we like it if a national news organization was seen as promoting a religion different from ours? Would we see it as intolerant?
Again, I'm not saying to not preach the Good News. I'm saying preach it in the appropriate situation--a situation in which someone is listening with an open mind and heart.
I don't know, it almost plays as image recovery, more than any real religious conversion. "Convert to Christianity and the God-loving people of America will forgive you."
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