I’ve been intrigued by the controversy over Brit Hume’s suggestion to Tiger Woods that he consider the person and teaching of Jesus as a way to experience forgiveness for his alleged infidelity. Christianity Today’s Sarah Pulliam Bailey recently interviewed Hume to expand on what he meant. A few choice quotes:
“Instead of urging that Tiger Woods turn to Christianity, if I had said what he needed to do was to strengthen his Buddhist commitment or turn to Hinduism, I don’t think anybody would have said a word. It’s Christ and Christianity that get people stirred up.”
“I don’t want to be a closet Christian. I’m not going to stand on the street with a megaphone. My principal responsibility at Fox News isn’t to proselytize. But occasionally a mention of faith seems to me to be appropriate. When those occasions come, I’ll do it.”
“Christianity is a way for people who are not perfect to be saved. What [South Carolina Gov.] Mark Sanford needs is not less Christianity. He needs more of it.”
Michael Gerson in an Op-Ed piece for the Washington Post today offers fresh perspective on the backlash of criticism Hume has received for his comments. Gerson argues that the root of anger against Hume is over his alleged religious exclusivity:
Hume’s critics hold a strange view of pluralism. For religion to be tolerated, it must be privatized — not, apparently, just in governmental settings but also on television networks. We must have not only a secular state but also a secular public discourse. And so tolerance, conveniently, is defined as shutting up people with whom secularists disagree. Many commentators have been offering Woods advice in his travails. But religious advice, apparently and uniquely, should be forbidden. In a discussion of sex, morality and betrayed vows, wouldn’t religious issues naturally arise? How is our public discourse improved by narrowing it — removing references to the most essential element in countless lives?
I’ll be honest, I admire Brit Hume for offering Tiger the invitation to explore the possibility of forgiveness in Christ. The great Sri Lankan evangelist, ecumenical leader and hymn writer, D.T. Niles is remembered for this great quote: “Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.“ The beggar is free to explore that direction or not.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the mention — and for adding the D.T. Niles quote, which is excellent. I got a lot of good reaction of this column today.
Michael, thanks. I really appreciated the balance and clarity of your words.
Rick,
With all respect, I think people reacted to Brit Hume’s comments, not because he encouraged Tiger Woods to look to Christ, but because he implied his religion was insufficient. In our world today, the last thing we need, it seems to me, is to through more gasoline on the pyre of intolerance of “others”.
Tim Dowd
Tim,
Thanks for your perspective.
Rick+
Its unfair to criticise those that have taken exception to Brits suggestion to Tiger concerning finding forgiveness for his infidelity in Christ. Its impossible for the unbeliever to understand that Brit was in no way judging him. Brit obviously is a believer and has experienced forgiveness thru Christ himself. We believers only want to point others to the son of God, the ONLY one that can forgive sin of which all of humanity has a need of. The word of God is foolishness unto them that perish!