The difference between Jason Collins and Tim Tebow

Very recently, I've seen some far-right evangelicals make comparisons between NBA basketball player Jason Collins and NFL player Tim Tebow. It's usually provided in the form of a cartoon, which goes something like this:

Tebow: "I'm a Christian."

Media: "Shut your mouth! Keep your religion to yourself!"

Collins: "I'm gay."

Media: "You're a hero!"


First off, the bit regarding Tebow is a definite exaggeration. While the media loves to hear good soundbites and Tebow isn't really known for that, I haven't heard anyone in the media start yelling at the quarterback after he gives thanks to God. It's not like I've heard anything such as this:

Tebow: "First off, I've got to give praise to God for giving me the opportunity to play...and..."

Reporter Fernando Dipshitz: "Hey, Tebow! Shut the hell up! We don't give a rat's a*s about your God! Talk football, godda*mit!"


No, like I said, it was a definite exaggeration on that portion of the cartoon. The second portion wasn't entirely accurate either. Remember Chris Broussard's comments? Ben Shapiro's? Among others? Most members of the media, especially the mainstream media, have been very positive in reporting the Jason Collins story. However, as is almost always the case, there have been exceptions to that.

Not only is the cartoon exaggerating on both counts, it's making a rather ridiculous comparison. It's comparing an individual declaring he's a Christian with another individual declaring he's a homosexual in the United States. Since this country's inception, Christianity has been the dominant religion here. We also have the blessing of being able to practice whatever religion we so choose in this country. In other words, how can we reasonably compare announcing we're Christian, which most people in this country are and always have been, to announcing we're gay? When's the last time you heard a story like the following one from someone in this country?

Setting: Mianus, Connecticut, where a family has dinner together, right after the son returns home from college for the summer

Theodore Bobblehead (father): "So, son, how has school been going for you?"

Simon Bobblehead (son): "Oh, pretty good. You know, it's just...school..."

Bertha Bobblehead (mother): "Oh, come on, honey. It's been five months since we saw you last. Talk to us. So, met any cute girls yet?"

Simon: "Moooooom..."

Bertha: "What? What did I do?"

Simon: "Oh, nothing..."

Theodore: "Son, is there something bothering you? It looks like you're deep in thought, but something is holding you back. What is it?"

Simon: "Actually, dad, and mom, there's something I need to tell the both of you, and, it's kind of a big deal. Through the entire flight here, I thought about what I was going to say and how I was going to say it, but something has been holding me back. Please just tell me that no matter what I say, you'll both still love and accept me for who I am. Can you please promise me that?"

Theodore and Bertha: "Yes, of course..."

Simon: ::sighs:: "Okay, mom, dad, I'm a Christian."

Theodore: "What? What? WHAT? No son of mine is ever going to be a Christian! Get out of this house, mister, and don't you ever come back!"


Yeah, like I said, the comparison is utterly ridiculous.