Tebow cancels talk at controversial Dallas church

Tim Tebow (15) of the New York Jets talks to reporters at Jets Training Camp at SUNY Cortland on July 27, 2012 in Cortland, New York. / Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

DALLAS New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow has backed out of an appearance at a Baptist mega church in Dallas run by a pastor who has created controversy with his remarks about gays and other faiths.

Tebow tweeted Thursday that he canceled a scheduled April 28 appearance at First Baptist Church due to "new information that has been brought to my attention."

"I will continue to use the platform God has blessed me with to bring Faith, Hope and Love to all those needing a brighter day," Tebow wrote.

The Rev. Robert Jeffress, First Baptist's pastor, confirmed in a phone interview that Tebow called him Wednesday night to cancel.

Jeffress said Tebow told him he would like to speak at First Baptist at some point, but "he needed to avoid controversy right now for personal and professional reasons."

Jeffress has preached that gay sex is sinful, Mormonism is a cult and Islam promotes violence and pedophilia. He said Thursday that First Baptist was being mischaracterized as a "hate church," and that the church's teachings were consistent with historic Christian beliefs.

Tebow wasn't going to speak about anything controversial, Jeffress said.

"We had planned for him to speak very positively about the difference Jesus Christ had made in his life," Jeffress said.

Tebow won two BCS championships and the Heisman Trophy at Florida, but he has struggled to make it in the NFL. He barely played last season after the Jets traded for him from the Denver Broncos, where he started much of the season in 2011 and won a playoff game.

Tebow is a devout Christian who has built a large following through his faith. He has addressed church audiences before. Last year, he spoke to about 15,000 people gathered at an outdoor Easter service north of Austin.

[xgaygreg]

I used to be addicted to men, but over SEVEN years ago Jesus set me FREE! (YouTube) I am now free from the sin of homosexuality. Marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman according to the King James Bible (Genesis 2:24) so I am now married and my wife is pregnant by me. My wife used to be a victim of domestic violence in her first marriage, but Jesus set her FREE. FREE AT LAST FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I'M FREE AT LAST!!!!! ALL HAIL KING JESUS!!!!

[cgr7]

yeah right

[DaveBarnes67]

Good for you...seriously.

[cgr7]

Tim Tebow: Convert to a Tight End so you'll get on the field. You're a tremendous athlete and leader...you're just not a good enough passer to be an NFL quarterback!

[Dontbeslow]

I'm not attempting to be critical but, most of the respondents either seem to be really angry or are commenting with absolutely no knowledge or understanding of what the bible actually says. It's called sciolism, and impresses no one but you.
Jesus came for one purpose, to offer eternal life to those that accept Him. We have muddled the real message with our own narcissistic approach, but it doesn't make us right.
Tolerance & political correctness are not the requirements for entrance to heaven, nor a peaceful life while on Earth.

[skyk801]

Why does it take someone making a point like this BEFORE these people pull out? There shouldn't have been anyone to tell this poor mentally challenged "Christian" what this hate filled Church stood for... he should have looked at them and said, "Thanks but no thanks". But NO! People had to step up and point that OUT loudly to him before he backed away.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Perhaps people like Tebow are completely obsessed with their own moral superiority that they are blind to other people's views and voices until they get hit over the head with a huge truck load of common sense.

[nohater]

wonder if he is still a virgin, has never sinned against his beliefs. if no to both, then he must be perfect human being.

[krotec54]

Are you the perfect human being?

[skyk801]

It always seems this type can tell the rest of us how to live doesn't it? They are very good at shoving religion down everyones throat but when it comes to standing up for those who they do NOT agree with... forget it.

[pammmmmm]

So he cancelled. Why does the media have to dog this?

[nohater]

tebow has made himself and embraced being a celeb of sorts. he is news to many.

[KPeters_from_UK]

NOHATER

True. Tebow has made it his purpose in life to tell the World about Jesus' Love and yet...it seems Jesus's Love goes only so far in the eyes of this Dallas Church.

[cgr7]

How ironic this extremely EFFEMINATE two-bit preacher is such a homophobic zealot.

You "Southern-Fried Self-Satisfied Babatists" must be so proud! (this quote stolen from the 'Reverend' Steve Blow - Dallas Morning News 6.19.96).

Didn't think a bigger idiot than Brother Bob Tilton could come out of Dallas County...then came Robert "call me Bobby!" Jeffress. He's Fabulous!

[DaveBarnes67]

Cannot speak to your comments about the nature of the preachers personality, but as to the message, it's in line with the biblical teachings. If he were to say something like "gay people cannot go to heaven" then I would disagree with him, because everyone has fallen short of what God intended for us and only though accepting that we are sinners and need to be saved and that Jesus paid the price for our salvation can we hope to be saved. But if as the article indicates he only reiterated what the bible already says, then what's the big deal.

I don't know Tebow's situation, perhaps he's under secular pressure with his job, family, friends, etc. Perhaps he knows something about the ministry in Tx that we were not made aware of in the article. That's all speculation.

As to your comment about Baptists in general, we love you anyway. Also, being against sexual deviance and being afraid of it are two totally different things.

[HM8432]

Probably for the best...

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

What.... He doesnt want to go hang out with Fred Phelps?