# Bill Maher stirs controversy with Tim Tebow tweet **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 28, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655 "2011-12-28T19:28:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/441 "2012-01-03T21:42:37Z")
I wouldn’t hesitate to call him a fan. Depending on the circumstances, I might even call him maladjusted. (Not saying that Tebow is, mind you. As I said, it depends.) I would not deign to jump the gun and call him a fanatic without considerably more information than that, though. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/442 "2012-01-03T21:43:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Anything else is Fox ringing the bell and the Foxfans salivating on cue. No, you don’t get to rule out dissenting opinions like that. If you cannot reconcile the contradictions, perhaps you can just admit it and move on. > [@DianaG](#): > > Well, “fanatic” means someone who loves excessively and uncritically. > > Do you have any reason to presume that Tebow is critical of Jesus? Maybe you can answer it - which actions of Tebow’s show that his love for Jesus is excessive? So far the only actions I have heard about that he occasionally prays in public, and donates a lot of money to charity and generally behaves himself off field. Which of these are excessive, and demonstrates fanaticism? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![AndyPolley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@AndyPolley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyPolley)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/443 "2012-01-03T21:44:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I understand that Maher thinks religion is as bad as dogfighting - I just think his opinion is stupid. You are entitled to your opinion. It’s worth noting that I don’t see Maher saying religion is as bad as dog fighting in that tweet. > [@Shodan](#): > > Again, this doesn’t make sense. If Maher thinks Tebow is a bad person because of his off-field “religious fanaticism”, and is blaming him for abortion clinic bombings and 9/11, that’s dumb, because Tebow’s off-field “religious fanaticism” leads him to donate large sums to charity instead of killing anyone. In one simple tweet, Maher has made fun of Tebow’s playing ability AND religion in general. It’s not dumb, it’s rather brilliant. 😉 I don’t see him blaming Tebow for abortion bombings. He’s blaming religious fanatics for fanatic behavior, which is why he doesn’t like religious fanatics. His dislike of Tebow doesn’t come from the violence Tebow commits, it comes from Tebow’s very public displays of supporting a religion that has supported said violence. There’s a difference and you know it. Perhaps Tebow’s [Pro life Super Bowl ad](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/07/tim-tebow-super-bowl-ad-v_n_436383.html) might get some people to think that _maybe_ he _possibly_ supports that type of fanatic violence. Does Tebow support blowing up abortion clinics? I don’t think so. I don’t think Bill Maher thinks so. Are there religious fanatics that will justify violence? Of course there are. I don’t even think Maher thinks Tebow is a bad person. Just a bad quarterback. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/444 "2012-01-03T21:46:19Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > You say “nuance”, I say “evasive action”. > > Because I’m guessing you wouldn’t hesitate to quantify the love of the guy wearing the Star Wars stickers on his face at work. But you’re missing a crucial point. Your average guy doesn’t wear anything on his face to work. Your average football player does. I better comparison would be a guy who wears a Star Wars tee shirt to work. Fanatic? Not really. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/445 "2012-01-03T21:46:56Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, you don’t get to rule out dissenting opinions like that. If you cannot reconcile the contradictions, perhaps you can just admit it and move on. > Maybe you can answer it - which actions of Tebow’s show that his love for Jesus is excessive? So far the only actions I have heard about that he occasionally prays in public, and donates a lot of money to charity and generally behaves himself off field. > > Which of these are excessive, and demonstrates fanaticism? > > Regards, > Shodan A normal Christian prays by bowing his head quietly. A fanatic goes into a nonsense pseudo-knightly stance to \*show \*other people that he’s praying. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/446 "2012-01-03T21:52:26Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > But you’re missing a crucial point. Your average guy doesn’t wear anything on his face to work. Your average football player does. I better comparison would be a guy who wears a Star Wars tee shirt to work. Fanatic? Not really. So if Tim Tebow specifically wore Star Wars stickers on his face instead of scripture, and took a moment between plays to swing a lightsaber around rather than to kneel and pray, you’d think that was totally cool and not at all fanatical? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/447 "2012-01-03T21:57:05Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > A normal Christian prays by bowing his head quietly. A fanatic goes into a nonsense pseudo-knightly stance to \*show \*other people that he’s praying. Prove it. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/448 "2012-01-03T22:01:26Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Prove it. > > Regards, > Shodan What would you accept as proof? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/449 "2012-01-03T22:13:55Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I’m not ignoring anything. Christians committed atrocities in the past in the name of Christianity. It was the norm, but not because of Christianity. That was the social norm of that era, regardless of religion. Said atrocities are not in the nature of Christianity, which is what you are claiming, and they needn’t be part of Christianity going forward. More nonsense, and a standard defense of religion. Nothing ever done in the name of religion (as long as it’s popular) is the fault of religion, even if the people doing it outright say they are doing it because of their religion. Under what circumstances could something be done in the name of Christianity that you would blame on Chrsitianity? Let me guess; _none_. And no, torturing people to save their soul was not the norm outside of Christianity, nor were most religions interested in conversion by the sword and the genocide of everyone who disagreed. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/450 "2012-01-03T22:16:56Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Prove it. > > Regards, > Shodan 1. God is omnipotent. 2. Omnipotent beings are fully capable of hearing thoughts regardless of the stance the thinker is in. 3. If the hearing of prayers is possible no matter the stance, then taking an unusual stance does nothing but make you stand out from everyone around you. Anything else obvious you want explained? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/451 "2012-01-03T22:18:11Z")
That doesn’t prove that he’s fanatical about Jesus (though I believe that he is), that proves he’s a showboating tool (these things are in no way mutually exclusive). ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/452 "2012-01-03T22:20:56Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > That doesn’t prove that he’s fanatical about Jesus (though I believe that he is), that proves he’s a showboating tool (these things are in no way mutually exclusive). I was assuming for the purpose of that argument that he was genuine. I’ll accept that he might be a showboating tool. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/453 "2012-01-03T22:32:46Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What would you accept as proof? Evidence that kneeling to pray is associated with fanatic behavior like abortion bombing or suchlike. Here’s a hint - I don’t mean this kind of bullshit > [@Lobohan](#): > > 1. God is omnipotent. > 2. Omnipotent beings are fully capable of hearing thoughts regardless of the stance the thinker is in. > 3. If the hearing of prayers is possible no matter the stance, then taking an unusual stance does nothing but make you stand out from everyone around you. which obviously doesn’t prove a thing and doesn’t even pretend to address the issue. Look, if it was just an unsubstantiated opinion, with nothing to back it up, just say so. Then explain how it is any different from praying in public. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/454 "2012-01-03T23:01:17Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > I said no such thing. Quite the contrary; I said that I might even consider it to be excessive. This is not the same as saying that he’s a fanatic, though. What??? You might call it “excessive”??? Man, that is intolerant. Whether it’s excessive or not is between him and Yoda. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/455 "2012-01-03T23:38:05Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > So if Tim Tebow specifically wore Star Wars stickers on his face instead of scripture, and took a moment between plays to swing a lightsaber around rather than to kneel and pray, you’d think that was totally cool and not at all fanatical? More missing of the point. I’m starting to think that’s on purpose, but I’ll try one last time: Most Americans pray eery regularly. I would not at all be surprised if most prayed every day. Very few Americans wear Star Wars regalia every day. Anyone making explicit gestures to invoke Star Wars on a daily basis would be well out of the mainstream. Few Americans do this. Anyone saying a prayer at various times during the day would be well within the mainstream. Many, if not most, Americans do this. Tebow just happens to be on camera whereas most Americans aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/456 "2012-01-03T23:47:56Z")
I’m calling bullshit. How many people drop to their knees and pray in public (outside of church), let alone AT WORK? Because I really can’t emphasize this enough… he’s AT WORK when he does this shit. I’m not missing your point at all. Your point is that worshiping Jesus is fundamentally different from worshiping Yoda. You’re mistaken. Many, if not most Americans, enjoy Star Wars. They don’t make a spectacle of themselves doing it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/457 "2012-01-04T00:15:36Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > I’m calling bullshit. How many people drop to their knees and pray in public (outside of church), let alone AT WORK? > > Because I really can’t emphasize this enough… he’s AT WORK when he does this shit. Is doing [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpliUdSZ4Wc&feature=related) at work excessive? ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/458 "2012-01-04T00:21:05Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Anyone saying a prayer at various times during the day would be well within the mainstream. Many, if not most, Americans do this. Tebow just happens to be on camera whereas most Americans aren’t. Do **most** Americans pray in such a visible manner? Do even **most** athletes pray in such a visible manner? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/459 "2012-01-04T00:27:14Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > Do **most** Americans pray in such a visible manner? > > Do even **most** athletes pray in such a visible manner? As I keep saying, Troy Polamalu often crosses himself after a play, and has been seen with a rosary on the sidelines. Yet I haven’t heard anyone go after him. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655/460 "2012-01-04T00:27:44Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Is doing [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpliUdSZ4Wc&feature=related) at work excessive? ## No, that’s not excessive. Thank you Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to make such an awesome post. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655.md?page=24)