Hume Reiterates Woods “Needs Something That Christianity Especially Provides”

video

by Steve Krakauer | 9:35 pm, January 4th, 2010

» 16 comments

Bill O’Reilly asked Brit Hume tonight on The O’Reilly Factor about his suggestion on Sunday that Tiger Woods should “turn to the Christian faith.”

The discussion was brief, but saw Hume reiterate his original point.

“Was that proselytizing?” asked O’Reilly after playing a clip of Hume’s comments.

Hume qualified his statement by saying Woods is “somebody I’ve always rooted for as a golfer and as a man,” praising the “content of his character.” But, he says, the content of his character “was not what we thought it was.”

So:

He needs something that Christianity especially provides and gives and offers, and that is redemption and forgiveness. I was really meaning to say in those comments yesterday more about Christianity than anything else…I think that Jesus Christ offers Tiger Woods something that Tiger Woods badly needs.

Hume made it sound like Woods needs to be “saved”: “If Tiger Woods were to make a true conversion, we would know it, it would show through in his being and he would know it above all.”

Brit Hume used to be a hard news anchor at Fox News when he held down the most traditional news broadcast, Special Report. But he’s not an anchor any more – he’s a commentator. It’s clear Hume doesn’t have bad intentions with what he’s saying, and that he’s legitimately trying to help Woods in the best way he sees fit. But bringing religion into the story, especially in a way that boosts one specific type of religion over another, is murky territory.

Hume and O’Reilly spent the rest of the segment talking about the reaction, which spanned the gamut from support to those who thought Hume was a “pompous jerk.” One of those who disagreed was David Shuster of MSNBC, who asked today if Hume “denigrated Christianity” when he made his original comments.

Here’s the Factor clip:

—-
» Follow Steve Krakauer on Twitter

Bill O'Reilly, Brit Hume, fnc, fox news, The O'Reilly Factor

ImNotBlue

I was giving Hume the benefit of the doubt in thinking that he wasn’t proselytizing… but after hearing his explanation, I’m not sure how he can call it anything BUT proselytizing. Like Steve said… I don’t think he was trying to be a rude, he was just talking about something he (apparently) believes passionately… and that’s good! Believing in religion, or even not believing in religion, if it helps make you a better person, then it’s a good thing… and I think that’s what Hume’s overarching point was. However, to state it so boldly… to say he “needs to find Christianity to help him and his family,” doesn’t sit comfortably with me. Hume can say what he wants, but (IMO) it came across as awkward at best.

As for Schuster’s comments… I’m surprised he didn’t just say Hume was “pimping out” Christianity.
http://www.swissarmyjew.com Keeva

What bothers me is Hume’s apparent rock solid belief that no other religion offers redemption and forgiveness. He is certainly entitled to his opinion, but to state that only one religion is going to do any good is just wrong.

Oh, and on Buddhism, you would think Hume would at least have taken the time to look it up. Like most religions, Buddhism does offer forgiveness and redemption. Unlike Christianity, it is not conferred by a cleric or Savior. It comes from within. Judaism is the same way. From within. That does not mean any of them is more right or more wrong. It just means that different belief systems are still good and effective.

@ImNotBlue: I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but his statement that “Christianity especially offers…” is very hard to let slide. Yes, he can say whatever he wants. So can everyone else. But he has to accept the responsibility for his words and the way he has put this twice now makes it impossible to believe that Hume meant any religion. It was not only awkward, but very untoward and, I think, somewhat inappropriate.

Schuster is an idiot, and one of the left’s main spitballers. I keep saying that both sides are full of extreme rhetoric and Schuster is a prime example of the liberal version of Beck.
KiKi

However, to state it so boldly… to say he “needs to find Christianity to help him and his family,” Brit is entitled to voice his opinion, even boldly. Gee, maybe that is what he believes. He is a Christian and not a Buddhist, so of course he believes Christianity is the one true way. Does everything have to be such a Big Effing Deal?
ImNotBlue

Keeva says:
January 4, 2010 at 11:36 pm

What bothers me is Hume’s apparent rock solid belief…

Eh… I dunno if that’s so true. I think anyone who believes in a religion inherently believes theirs is more correct than someone else’s… otherwise why stick with it? I think it would have been equally strange to hear Hume say, “Woods should try out Christianity because of its focus on redemption and forgiveness… or he could try Judaism for its traditions and potato pancakes.” Sorry, I’m hungry. Anyway… I think that part of his comment was more a reflection of “this is what I believe in,” than a statement against other religions.

As for the rest of your comment… I agree.

KiKi says:
January 4, 2010 at 11:50 pm

Does everything have to be such a Big Effing Deal?

I’ll agree with you if it because a big deal. Right now, it’s a small deal… with the usual nastiness from the jealous mob at MSNBC. If it blows beyond that… if we’re talking about this past Wednesday, then we can sing “Let it go,” together! ;)
m

>What bothers me is Hume’s apparent rock solid belief that no other religion offers redemption and forgiveness

Bingo.
rosymarshal

I am New To Blogging And Found this Article really Worthy. I Visit many pages of your Blog. And learn many things from these Article. thanks for this Great Article. Speed dating
BJL411

FAUX SNOOZE! a real news (cough cough) network with no agenda! LOL
TfT

MSNBC, as always, has been talking more about FNC than anything else. Schuster made some stupid comment (no surprise there); here is what Olbermann said (h/t newsbusters):

OLBERMANN: (2:15 in) Isn’t this the classic thing that your mother probably also pointed out to you about never discussing religion in public? You can discuss religion in public. Its like this that you’re not supposed to do it. This crosses that principle. Keep religious advocacy out of public life since the worst examples of that are Jihadists—not to mention guys who don’t know their own religions or someone else’s religion like Brit Hume.”

So, now Brit is a Jihadist? Talk about over the top stuff.
The Real Royal King

While Hume is discussing needs, perhaps he should address his own needs, including the surgical removal of that needle lodged in the recesses of his derriere.
nikes-jordan

Jordan, Nike , RunningShoes, Sneakers, USD40 !
Brand Belts: USD 28 !
Brand caps/hats, USD 18 !
Brand sunglasses, USD28 !　
Brand Jeans: USD 40 !

Average deals USD30,1st order freebies: socks!　Free Fastest delievery,4-7days to door, Paypal payment 100% guaranteen safety , Return Policy.100% money back! Reliablity, Credibility, sustaining sale service，never forever fraud!
nikes-jordan.com
same2u

I liked this question from Think Progress:
“Fox prides itself on being “fair and balanced.” Will it now give equal time to other religions for proselytizing, or is it comfortable becoming the next Christian Broadcast Network?”
ImNotBlue

same2u says:
January 5, 2010 at 10:41 am

Yes… a great point. One commentator, offering his own opinion, stating it was his view, will change the entire outlook of the network.

Brilliant. *rolls eyes*
StewartIII

ChickaBOOMer: Hume Fume
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2010/01/hume-fume.html
same2u

The network has continually moved further right. Integrating more Christian doctrine seems like a natural progression.

Stewie the 3rd, you know where you can put your link.
ImNotBlue

same2u says:
January 5, 2010 at 11:37 am

And evidence of this would be…?
Nachi

Doubtlessly, Brit is correct. And on any given Sunday, I’ll bet we can find him in the back of the church – flipping thru back issues of “Martha Stewart Living” – whilst engaged in heavy breathing and light moaning.