Dwight Howard - the New NBA Commidity for Christ GetReligion: Is the NBA ready for CCB? Contemporary Christian Basketball?
The Get Religion blog is now one of my favorites, if not the favorite. Terry Mattingly and Doug LeBlanc consistently give us a succinct and interesting round-up of religious news stories and this one really grabbed my interest. It seems that those who make money off of NBA stars decided to look at the whole Kobe scandal through the marketing lens and now there is an anti-Kobe on the horizon. Dwight Howard may be this year's version of LeBron James, but (gasp!!) he is a born-again Christian who wants to use his basketball skills as a platform for sharing the gospel.
Of course we know that such things are not allowed in polite company, but rather than taking Dwight's influence out with a full-frontal assault, it looks like he is going to be neutralized in a different way. He is going to fill a marketing niche. Marketers know that there are lots of religious types out there who watch basketball and Dwight can become "a role model for this segment of the population." Ah yes, good ol' American pluralism at work, with a little marketing savvy thrown in. We'll accept the Christian kid but we'll section his influence off to the religious side of the population.
You can defeat Christian influence in one of two ways - through persecution or popularity. Although the marketing gurus will insist they are not attacking Dwight's faith, they will effectively neutralize his influence by turning him into just another salesperson. They don't want to worship his God, they want to use him to further their worship of the god of mammon.
What worries me the most is the quote from the president of the Pro Basketball Fellowship -
I would hope that Dwight's beliefs wouldn't hurt his chances to market products," Terry said. "I would think that marketers would want to embrace someone with such values.I'm thinking that if I am some type of spiritual advisor to him I would be more worried about how marketing products for the NBA, Nike, et al, will hurt his chances at living a consistent Christian life and being the witness he wants to be.
Thanks Dwight, for your boldness in witnessing for Jesus, but please be aware of the snake pit you are walking into. Let us pray for Dwight, that his faith can survive his fame. And please, let's don't have a bunch of Christians rushing out to buy a "Passion of Dwight" bobblehead doll, or the new Nike Dwight Howard signature "walk and dunk on water" sneakers.
i pray that he will continue in his faith and be a role model ... the world needs young men like him .....be strong in the Lord Dwight....
Posted by: daisy hill | April 15, 2004 at 12:49 PM
I can't tell you how excited I am for this guy. God will take care of him and do some wonderful things there is no doubt about it!
Posted by: Reid | April 16, 2004 at 01:32 AM
The battles that Dwight Howard will face are many and will require great strength from God. For every David Robinson, Terry Cummings, AC Green, and Avery Johnson, there exists many Jack Haleys and Dennis Rodmans who will attempt to destroy Dwight Howard and his faith. Hopefully he will remain strong in his faith and not fall prey to the worldly temptations which destroyed James Worthy's marriage.
Posted by: Mike McGillicuddy | April 17, 2004 at 02:36 PM
Yes, I think Dwight's faith and love for Christ is wonderful, in fact it has inspired me! So I will continue to pray for him and bope that he stays close to the God he represents.
Posted by: Mrs. Kentucky | April 19, 2004 at 05:16 PM
Yes, I think Dwight's faith and love for Christ is wonderful, in fact it has inspired me! So I will continue to pray for him and bope that he stays close to the God he represents.
Posted by: Mrs. Kentucky | April 19, 2004 at 05:16 PM
I think that it is great that the National Basketball Association will be gaining a young man with Howard's talent and his upright character. He will face so many pitfalls and their will be many people waiting for him to fall and eat his words and curse his God. But if this young man is what he says he is, he will have ample opportunity to share with the world the love of Christ. But Howard Dwight is only a boy. He needs prayer and determination, and may the Lord use this boy for His glory!
Posted by: Bosma | June 23, 2004 at 12:09 AM
"For every David Robinson, Terry Cummings, AC Green, and Avery Johnson, there exists many Jack Haleys and Dennis Rodmans who will attempt to destroy Dwight Howard and his faith."
That quote exemplifies what's wrong with many "Christians". You want to worship God? Fine. You want to spread his word? Fine. But STOP WITH THE JUDGEMENTS! You FOLLOW God, you ARE NOT God. It is not your place to judge others.
To my knowledge Dennis Rodman (I'm not familiar with Jack Haley) did not "attempt to destroy" anyone. He succeeded in destroying his own career, but I'd venture he didn't actively ATTEMPT to do so.
Finally, if one's faith is as true and strong as many "Christians" claim it is...it CANNOT BE DESTROYED. So quit with the victim mentality. Enjoy your religion, enjoy your faith, enjoy your Lord. If you're extending your hand to spread The Word, you don't need to smack people in the process.
Posted by: Cadence | June 24, 2004 at 12:00 PM
Cadence - no smacking and no judgments intended -at least not from me, and I didn't pick up any smacking or judging in the comments. I think most of us are genuinely pulling for Dwight, I know I am. We've all just seen too many of our Christian brothers fall prey to the worldly temptations that come with fame. Like the comment from the person named Bosma says:
"He will face so many pitfalls and their will be many people waiting for him to fall and eat his words and curse his God."
We're all just hoping and praying for him that he won't fall and that he will surround himself with those who are more concerned with his faith than his marketing potential.
Posted by: David | June 24, 2004 at 04:07 PM
I was looking at the new player's Dwight Howard profile and i noticed he is my age..I had no idea he was Saved until someone had told me I just knew he went to a Christian school...anyway..he is still a young person and being surrounded by temptation it can be at times draining ...the Lord has him there in the NBA at that age for a special purpose and for him to even stand for what he believes in...Jesus, it is very commendable I'm sure there are some that have left the faith because of heaviness of temptation, if this guy wants to be a witness for the Lord and has total realiance on Christ then his job witnessing will be very sucessful as well as his basketball career.
Posted by: Kim | September 01, 2004 at 12:32 PM
I think the Nba should have a cross on the NBA logo because it not only God but for respecting the religion of Jesus Christ. Everyday I pray to go through the day. On 10/8/04 I pray for the Lord to bless my Dad's 40th Birthday. I would agree Dwight because he believes in his religion and his dream.
Posted by: Zachary Collier | October 11, 2004 at 09:26 PM
Is Dwyane Wade a Christian?
Posted by: josh | June 15, 2006 at 07:10 PM
I'm glad to see him boldly represent his faith in Jesus.
Posted by: SolShine7 | February 18, 2007 at 11:25 PM