Fox News Tells Tiger Woods: Drop Buddhism
Brit Hume Preaches to Tiger Woods
Christianity and Buddhism have different world views. As noted by News Hounds, Buddhism's emphasis on personal responsibility is in line with Hume's conservative views. As the Dhammapada, the most popular Buddhist text, records the Buddha saying, "By oneself is evil done; by oneself is one defiled. By oneself is evil left undone; by oneself is one made pure. Purity and impurity depended on oneself; no one can purify another." (Verse 165 of the translation by Acharya Buddharakkhita.)
Within hours, Brit Hume's remark became fodder for a variety of commentators. Rather than more comment on the comments, consider a summary. Click on the links for the full articles:
Hume's remarks are put into the context of "Christian conservative man needs" of Republicans David Vitter, Newt Gingrich, and Mark Sanford, as well as of comparative US divorce rates: 13% for Evangelical Christians, compared to 12% for Buddhists.
The status of Tiger Woods as a "celebrity Buddhist" is emphasized, with a list including Richard Gere, Herbie Hancock, Steven Seagal, Leonard Cohen, Tina Turner and Orlando Bloom.
"If this wasn't Fox News, I'd take 'Tomorrow, 2 pm' in the when-will-Hume-apologize pool. But it is Fox, so 'the Fifth of Never'seems like a safer choice." - Jamison Foser
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Kinda makes you wonder why God allowed that darned Buddhist to win so many golf tournaments over good Christian men." - Jay Bookman
Published by Michael Segers
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32 Comments
Post a CommentI agree with Bridget below.
I didn't realize Tiger was Buddhist. Interesting when celebrities and politicians decide to weigh in on another's choice in religion. Thanks for the info and well-written article!
You can be a sleezebag in any religion. Don't know what he'll do.
Not surprised, honestly. Good report.
I was a Christian fundy in my late teens and early twenties... So I both roll my eyes and shudder at this 'news'. Rolled my eyes because of the obvious ridiculousness of how preachy religious fanatics can be without realizing it. Shudder because I know that Hume and his likes really wouldn't care even if they do realize what a fool he had made of himself (and his fellow fundies). People will do or say the darnest thing with a clear conscience when they can hide behind their 'religiosity'. :o(
Geez, I just want to freaking scream! I cannot believe I saw what I saw -- a nationally known news person telling a celebrity to get religion. And he even suggested one! Can you spell IRAN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC! Doesn't anyone see the parallels here? First our news stations to squirrelly, then the government? Isn't this what the 80s era born-agains were all about? This is just bizarre, that a newsman of this stature, even if he is bozo, would actually go on TV and say this! And elicited by Blowhard O'Reilly, no less! Who will speak softly about the resultant furor, and dismiss it, as has become his new persona. Kind of like the soft-spoken murderer who represents himself and seduces a juror. Makes me sick that people buy this stuff!
What a terrific article here, very well thought out, go Michael Go!
I didn't know he was Buddhist either. Great article.
Nicely written piece :D
I didn't realize he was Buddhist either until you told me. Interesting.