Move over Father Jonathan Morris and Martha MacCallum. Methinks you're not the only ones who are hot for Tim Tebow. On yesterday's alleged Fox "news" show, America's Newsroom, alleged "news" anchor Bill Hemmer showed that you just might have some serious competition. But rather than crass carnality, the love shown by Catholic bachelor Hemmer and offical Foxpriest Jonathan Morris, was of a deeply spiritual nature. Both Hemmer and Morris just glowed with the fire of the Holy Spirit as they waxed poetic over Tebow and his favorite bible verse which was the basis for a Focus on the Family ad that was played during Tebow's last game. Those of a cynical nature might say that the whole segment was more of Fox's patented pimping of Christian right memes; but I'm sure it was just Christian fellowship. Right?
The real world didn't really care about all those John 3:16 kids in the Focus on the Family ad. Football fans use ad time to get more food and use the bathroom. But never wanting to waste an opportunity to create controversy where there is none, Fox "News" world framed the message, in the opening chyron, thusly: "Tebow Inspired Ad Sparks Controversy." The ever unctuous Hemmer reported that there is "mixed reaction" to the ad. Video of commentary about Tebow's religiosity, from two women, was shown. One of them loved Tebow's public faith and the other said it should be kept private.
Fox's only official resident clergyman, Father Jonathan Morris described Focus as a large group of evangelicals "but very open to Catholics and all faiths." (Right, only "faiths" that oppose gay and reproductive rights.) The theatrical priest, whose parish is near the bright lights of Broaway, said that Focus has done a "fabulous job of taking advantage of something that is a social phenomenon." Pictures of Tebow doing his trademark Tebowing were shown. The little padre was positively orgasmic when he said that he's rooting for Tebow.
His fellow conservative (one of *many at Fox) Catholic, Bill Hemmer, said that the ad "stopped me in my tracks" as it was different from other football game ads that feature products. Morris claimed that, according to Focus, 100 million people looked up John 3:16 during the game. The man in black said that it was "fabulous" that folks were so interested in this quote whether or not they are Christians. He positively gushed when he said "as a social phenomenon it's amazing." Hemmer agreed and added that it's probably a religious phenomenon. (Ya think!)
In response to Hemmer's question regarding whether religion should be private, Morris claimed that "there is a strong trend" that "suggests that separation of church and state means that you keep your religion in the church or in your home but don't have any public expression of this." (Not on Fox News!) He asserted that Tebow isn't pushing his faith on anyone" but "living it." (As opposed to Fox pushing conservative Christianity) He enthused, "more power to him, I think it's a powerful thing." Hemmer softly said, I don't think Tebow cares. Morris reported that Tebow's teammates love him because "he's the real deal." He exclaimed "what an inspiration." After Morris referenced bad behavior on the part of other football players, Hemmer responded about Tebow that "he's clearly made a difference, that's for sure." After Morris said "John 3-16," Hemmer gushed that it was great to see him.
While John 3:16 seems to big in the Fox News Tebow church, this quote from Matthew 6:5 seems to have been forgotten: "And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
*Fox TV Catholics (as far as I know): Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Martha MacCallum, Bill Hemmer, Megyn Kelly, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Neil Cavuto, Greg Gutfeld, Eric Bolling, Bret Baier, Alysin Camerota,Maltese Knight Peter Johnson, Jr.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1394830859001/tebow-inspired-ad-sparks-controversy/?playlist_id=86909
