Brit Hume’s Advice to Tiger Woods: Become a Christian January 3, 2010

Brit Hume’s Advice to Tiger Woods: Become a Christian

By Guest Contributor
January 3, 2010

FOX News Channel’s Brit Hume knows how Tiger Woods can fix all of his problems. He just needs to become a Christian because Buddhism is full of crap.

Hume: “The extent to which he can recover seems to me depends on his faith. He is said to be a Buddhist. I don’t think that faith offers the kind of redemption and forgiveness offered by the Christian faith. My message to Tiger is, ‘Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.'”

And now we’ve all been enlightened. It’s a sad day when Bill Kristol is the voice of reason on your panel.

This would have been *way* more entertaining if Hume said Islam or Judaism (as opposed to Buddhism) doesn’t offer the right type of redemption. Buddhists aren’t about to lodge newsworthy protests against Hume and FNC.

(via Atheist Media Blog)

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  • Trace

    I wonder what his advice would have been for Haggard.

  • indyfreethinker

    This is interesting because I know of several people (myself included)who explored a non-theistic buddhism as a step in the journey away from Christianity. I found a sense of consolation, forgiveness (of myself), and redemption from the madness that is Christianity in the writings of Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hanh.

    And what would be even more interesting would be an anchor person urging urging Tiger to turn to Islam or Scientology.

  • Jessica

    What a bunch of crap. God may forgive Tiger, but what has he done for Tiger’s wife?? How does it make what he did to her any less egregious.

  • That sounded like something that you’d hear in church! That’s a “news” program?

    (Notice the christian style scare quotes.)

  • Richard P

    yeah, Christians are so known for there lack of infidelity.

    I guess when your good at denying reality, all things are possible.

  • Richard H

    Turning to pop-Christianity probably would let Tiger redeem his image.

    We could make a spectacle out of it. He’d go on a TV show, seem all humble, say the right words, and get Hollywood-forgiven over the course of a half-hour special.

  • Parse

    I’m not surprised. In the typical reading of Christianity, God forgives everything, so you don’t need the forgiveness of those you actually hurt.

  • bigjohn756

    @indyfreethinker
    You don’t really expect a bigot like Hume to know or learn anything about what he says, do you? He has no idea about any benefits that might accrue from Buddhism, of course, that doesn’t bother him a bit.

  • mike

    This would have been *way* more entertaining if Hume said Islam or Judaism (as opposed to Buddhism)

    Maybe, but I’m not a big fan of fatwah envy, whether by christians or by atheists on behalf of Buddhists…

  • Staceyjw

    How rude. He wouldn’t dare say this about islam or judiasm. What a jerk!

    He does have a point though, for practical purposes that is, and I think its even been mentioned here before: when you do something bad in the public eye, claim you begged for jesus’s forgiveness and all will be well again. The public loves the fake humility and begging that this promotes, because they love seeing celebrities get their comeuppance, while being brought down (to a HUMAN level)

    Of course it does nothing for his wife, but no one that is focusing on this scandal cares about her anyway.

  • Angie

    What about all of the Christians who have bought into the Jesus message and still perform unethical acts? Embracing Christianity is not a cure-all!

  • Bud

    Did Kobe Bryant get all Christian-like after his infidelity? If he did, I don’t remember any mention of it. He seems to be doing fine now.

  • Casimir

    Christians have been saying “Christianity is the only way to be moral” for so long, this kind of comment is no surprise.

  • Tiger converting to Evangelical Christianity would solve his problems with his evangelical Christian fans, but it probably won’t solve his actual interpersonal relationship problems with the people in his personal life.

  • littlejohn

    Maybe he’ll become Old Testament Christian, you know, with 400 wives and concubines. If he can juggle 200 (or whatever the number turns out to be) mistresses, he can handle at least that many wives. Does the pro golf circuit consider Viagra a performance-enhancing drug?
    Don’t worry about his wife; even with the pre-nup, she’ll get millions, plus she’s still a hottie.

  • Scott Hanley

    Someone should remind Britt Hume that it’s not his forgiveness that Tiger needs.

  • Richard Wade

    Tiger will become a Christian only if his publicist says that’s the only way to get his sponsors back. Hume will trumpet Woods’ salvation as genuine even though the only actual evidence of redemption will be that Woods regains his multimillion dollar contracts.

  • Richard Wade

    Don’t worry about his wife; even with the pre-nup, she’ll get millions, plus she’s still a hottie.

    Let’s not forget the possibility that she might have actually loved him.

  • MH

    First Glen Beck, now this. Fox news is a riot.

  • Wow. Who knew that Fox News could delve even deeper into WTF’ness

    Other have said it above already, but turning to Christianity didn’t do much for helping overcome addiction and infidelity. Guess Brit Hume missed those news stories.

  • Dan Covill

    But but but but…… If you have faith, and that faith is immutable and not based on logic or reason, how can you change it to faith in something else? Even when advised to do so by an idiot?

    But Mr. Hume gives even better advice – the real reason to switch your faith to Christianity is that it offers a better deal forgiveness-wise! Talk about Pascal’s wager!

  • Hume’s advice is better understood if you see it as cynical PR suggestion rather than sincere spiritual advice. Have a public conversion/confession and see if it can repair your image.

    These days this is more commonly done by checking into rehab or some such, but ol’-time religion still has its PR advocates too.

  • Reflexx 175

    Brit’s message was true. Unfortunately, in this day of moral relativism, many seem to believe that ALL answers regarding faith are correct. Logically, this can’t possibly be true.

    There is only one answer. Of all the different religions, only one doesn’t require you to “earn” your way into God’s presence. Only one. But man’s arrogance is such that he would rather believe a lie, that he can earn it, rather than the truth of salvation being a gift that simply needs to be accepted. And there’s the rub to the arrogant. Accepting the gift of salvation means you have to acknowledge you need forgiveness.

    This really is an issue of faith. You will learn the truth when this life is ended, at which point it will be too late.

    The truth is out there. I hope you find it. Read “More Than a Carpenter” by Josh McDowell for a start.

  • Angie

    Actually, I did read “More Than A Carpenter”, and found it to be nothing but a bundle of ad hominem attacks, straw man arguments, and appeals to emotion. I have no desire to read it again.

  • That’s right. Christianity provides redemption. You can lie, cheat steal, and even murder, and then all you have to do is ask God for forgiveness. Seriously, what kind of morality is that?

    Oh, Reflexx, I also read More Than a Carpenter. Still have it on my bookshelf, in fact. His arguments are pathetic. Have you actually read the book? *giggles*

  • marshall

    The first christian emperor Constantine murdered his wife and son after he became a christian. But, here’s the ‘good news’; he waited until he was on his deathbed to be baptised and have his sins forgiven. Oh so convenient. Presumably, if Tiger were christian he could cry on camera and proclaim he’s “sinned before God” or any of the other cute soundbites famous christians offer when they get caught cheating on their spouses or having sex in airport men’s rooms.

  • Casimir

    There is only one answer. Of all the different religions, only one doesn’t require you to “earn” your way into God’s presence. Only one. But man’s arrogance is such that he would rather believe a lie, that he can earn it, rather than the truth of salvation being a gift that simply needs to be accepted. And there’s the rub to the arrogant. Accepting the gift of salvation means you have to acknowledge you need forgiveness.

    You could just as easily write that as “Only one religion doesn’t ask you to act in a moral manner, simply pledge allegiance to their God, beg for mercy and you will be saved.”

  • Felix

    I wonder where Kristol gets that “caring for someone’s soul” is admirable. They’re talking about an immortal force occupying a persons brain that can be cleansed from thoughtcrime by making telepathic contact with a dead preacher. This is galloping superstition, and nobody minds, and everybody smiles. Yuck.

  • Reflexx 175

    Sorry. Remember all these exceptionally clever comments, filled with truth and insight when you have passed.

    2 + 2 must now equal 5.

  • Neon Genesis

    That’s right. Christianity provides redemption. You can lie, cheat steal, and even murder, and then all you have to do is ask God for forgiveness. Seriously, what kind of morality is that?

    But if you’re gay or an atheist who’s living a responsible life, that’s just evil and unforgivable according to Fox News.

  • BlueRidgeLady

    For belonging to a supposedly caring religion, I am always a bit disturbed at the happiness that seems to shine through when a Christian tells atheists they are going to hell.

  • Siamang

    Reflexxx, thanks for condemning us to hell.

    Really great religion you got there, when your only recourse is threats.

    Says a lot more about you than it does about us.

  • Siamang

    Brit Hume will probably be discovered to getting blown by a gay hooker on meth at some point as well.

    Just like his Falafal Loofah Christian Fox buddy Bill O’Liely! All of these moral police always are found snorting coke off of underage hookers eventually.

    My silly religious friend says it’s because the pious are targeted by demons who want to take them down, because they are such pillars of piety! LOL!

    Dood, it ain’t demons, it’s just pure human hubris! A power unmatched in the universe! Witness Reflexxx here, who thinks he/she’s got the whole world figured out by reading ONE BOOK! And then presumes to come here, not know ANYTHING at all about us, or our stories, or our lives or our journeys, and then come prescribing a false cult as our salvation.

    That’s hubris. Why doesn’t reflexxx talk to us, or ask us or do anything about getting to know us?

    Because Reflexxx doesn’t give a shit about who we are as individuals. (s)he just wants to come here and feel superior. It’s part of the cult programming.

  • Wayne Dunlap

    See that, you Atheist here, I’m an agnostic so I don’t count 🙂 got it all wrong. If you are Christian, you can have lots of fun cheating on your spouses and then cry out Cheesus save me, and all is forgiven. Ho, ho, what a lark.

  • Siamang

    Jesus wrote a blank check,
    One I haven’t cashed quite yet.
    I hope I’ve got a little more time.
    I hope it’s not the end of the line.
    Yeah, Jesus wrote a blank check.
    One I haven’t cashed yet, all right.

  • REX

    @dwasifar:

    You beat me to EXACTLY what I wanted to say.

    I think it would be a hoot to see Tiger embrace Christianity, and be forgiven by everyone (EXCEPT his wife) and then it can be all good. I just hope they catch a pic of him with his fingers crossed and a wink for the cynics!

  • Moss
  • tomtom

    super, now beginning to understand why the romans used to feed ’em to the lions. grrr!

  • Edmond

    Tiger, become a Christian, then you can get away with whatever you want! No more rules for you, you’ve got Forgiveness!

  • burnbright

    I think that any one who has experienced the Buddhist tradition can say that it is very helpful to the soul if one actually tends to the practice of it. If I were giving advice to Tiger — I’d advise him to return to his practice and leave the world for a while (which he does seem to be doing) to see what he’s being called to do in order to heal himself and his situation. As for Brit Hume; I feel sorry that the guy is so sheltered that he has no experience outside of his version of Christianity. But — if he is happy with his Christian fire insurance that’s up to him.

    I was raised in the Christian tradition — I do believe that I was filled with spirit, what Christians often call “the holy ghost” when I was only seven — and it came via that belief system. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve also experienced other spiritual traditions and find them equally valid. It is not forgiveness that is offered us by any of these traditions; it is wholeness — being rejoined with Spirit. Humans are naturally inclined to believe that they are separated from God, nature and from other human beings, and it does often seem to take some kind of ritual to reconnect those things. But there are so many ways to do this and sometimes, religion is not even a factor.

    Things get sticky when religions begin to believe their own dogma so literally that they separate themselves from everyone else. This is the original problem we all face — separation from Spirit; separation from each other. I sometimes fantasize that if there were no religion, we’d all get along better. But I’m sure that’s probably not true. It’s in our human natures to split things this way — but its also in our human abilities to mindfully understand that we’re not separated, that we’re all One.

  • muggle

    I’m too disgusted for words. But I am glad the other guy ridiculed him a bit regardless. Usually they’re afraid to.

  • Hey siamang, talking nasty says something about you also….

  • Angie

    Burnbright — your commentary was insightful.

  • kimmer

    Actually, this entire story has been taken out of context to what was being discussed.

    …but doing that does make for great comments from the “me too’s”

    Great Job Mr Athiest-
    you do a real good job
    at stirring ’em up.

  • The lesson here is clearly that Buddhism leads to a successful golfing career.

    There is a spectrum. On one end, there are liars for Jesus, and on the other, zealots strapping bombs to their waists. All are certain that their god supports their actions, giving them license to do whatever they want. If it weren’t so disgusting and shallow, it would be alluring.

  • Yes, Kimmer, because there’s ANY context that makes Hume’s remarks anything but douchey.

  • Well Christians are a bit more forgiving on sexual transgressions after all. Especially Catholics so he does have a point.

  • David L

    This is incredible… the fact that even Fox News would allow such crap to be spewed forth from one of their so-called broadcasters is beyond my comprehension. I know little of the Buddist faith, but I have no tolerance for the sheer arrogance of anyone that thinks that Christianity is the solution for all ills. This is just the kind of nonsense that is killing the Republican party and driving moderates like myself away. But to where? The Democratic party is equally corrupted… they are just more blatant in their corruption. As for Fox News… this just gives me another reason not to watch.

  • Wayne Dunlap

    David L,
    It really doesn’t surprise me. Fox News is known to be a right wing station.

  • curious fred

    Why would an atheist care what Brit Hume says regarding Tiger Woods. He was just giving his opinion of what he believes. I guess if he had said that Tiger needed to become anything else but a christian, no one would have given a crap. I have yet to understand why we are so fearful of Christianity, and when did being an atheist and a left winger become the same. You mean I can’t be an atheist and like Fox News ?

  • Reflexx 175

    @Siamang

    I can’t condemn anyone to Hell. It’s a choice you have to make for yourself. Actually, if you are an atheist, why would even believe there is a Hell?

    Odd that you would assume I read “one book” and have it all figured out. I have actually read over 200 books on spirituality, ranging from Shirley McLain’s Out on a Limb, to the Bible, so I have a well researched and thorough understanding.

    For someone who was certainly quick to slam me, you don’t exactly practice what you preach by any stretch.

    I suggested a book that was light reading, short, and got to the point, hoping that someone might take the time to read it.

    If, at the end of our lives, your belief system turns out to be true, and mine is not, there is no down side for me. However the opposite is not true.

    I’m glad Brit spoke up. Doesn’t it strike anyone as odd that it is only the public mention of Christ that gets everyone up in an uproar? Mention Buddah, Allah, mother earth, etc, and there’s no outcry. But mention Christ, and look out. Why would that be?

  • Wayne Dunlap

    Reflexx 175 says:

    This really is an issue of faith. You will learn the truth when this life is ended, at which point it will be too late.

    And what truth is that? I’m sorry but I get a bit annoyed when Christians try to patronize people as though they are privy to the truth.

    If, at the end of our lives, your belief system turns out to be true, and mine is not, there is no down side for me. However the opposite is not true

    Just another form of Paley’s Wager. The falacy in your argument is that you assume that Christianity is the correct religion. If it turns out to be Muslim, you could be in trouble since they believe that it is blasphemous to worship Jesus as a God, since they do not believe he is.

    Instead of Shirley McClain, try reading Bart Erhman’s Jesus Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millenium and Karen Armstrong’s History of God.

  • tomtom

    Would you promote the extermination of the entire human race to prove your point?

    There are many among us who actively strive to make that happen.

    None of them are athiests.