Published: March 22, 2010
Op-Ed Contributor
Tiger Woods: I Will Wear Buddhist Bracelet Forever! Tiger Cheapens Buddhism!
By Robert Paul Reyes
"Although dressed in typically conservative fashion, Woods also wore a thin Buddhist bracelet, which he showed to Golf Channel viewers and said he would be wearing when he returned to golf at the U.S. Masters on April 8.
'It's Buddhist, it's for protection and strength and I certainly need that,' he said, adding that he began wearing the bracelet before he went into rehabilitation and that he intends to wear it forever.
Woods raised his religion in his set-piece televised apology last month, though prior to the scandal he rarely mentioned it. Read More
The "Come to Jesus" moment is as familiar as apple pie to Americans, we've witnessed the spectacle of countless of politicians and celebs suddenly discover Jesus when they're enveloped in a scandal. Jesus is a "Get out of jail free card", and a "honey, you have to forgive men now" appeal.
There's also the "Allahu Akbar" moment, favored primarily by African Americans when they find themselves behind bars. Jesus can't do anything for Tiger, the humble carpenter isn't into golf and he's not acquainted with any porn stars and cocktail waitresses. The disgraced golfer would never turn to Islam, Allah forbid, people might think he's black.
That's why the playboy golfer has turned to Buddhism during his crisis. I will never forgive Tiger for using the non-dogmatic and peaceful philosophy of Buddhism to shield himself from his detractors. I am a free-thinker who frequently criticizes and condemns organized regions, from Christianity to Islam.
But I don't recall ever ridiculing Buddhism, I have no problems with its "live and let live" ideology. Evangelicals may festoon their cars with Christian bumper stickers, and wear T-shirts proclaiming their love for Jesus, but Buddhists aren't inclined to cheapen their belief system is such an ostentatious manner.
By showing off his "Buddhism bracelet" (didn't know there was such a thing) Tiger is insulting Buddhism, and insulting the intelligence of the viewers who won't fall for such a cheap stunt.
Religion is the last refuge of the scoundrel, and Jesus, Buddha, the Prophet Mohammad, and Mother Earth must be steaming mad at Tiger's chutzpah.
Follow Robert Paul Reyes on Twitter: http://twitter.com/robertpaulreyes
Robert Paul Reyes is a NewsBlaze writer on Politics, Pop Culture and Pointless Pontificating. Contact him by writing to NewsBlaze.
* The views of Opinion writers do not necessarily reflect the views of NewsBlaze
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