American Celebrity Obsession: Can Tiger Atone for His Transgressions?

It doesn’t matter where I turn, online or on TV, someone is writing, commenting, or passing judgment on Tiger Woods. I’ve rarely seen/heard any traces of grace, forgiveness, hope, understanding, or respect. The “biggest story this Holiday Season” has received more attention than the 30,000 troops Obama deployed to Afghanistan, health-care, the credit crisis in Dubai, or the Ugandan death penalty law against homosexuals.

There is something really wrong with this picture. Is America obsessed with celebrity culture?

Have you ever done things that you deeply regretted, but cannot undo? How have you dealt with the situation? Did others support in love or point fingers in judgment? Did your supporters (sponsors/fans) abandon you in the trenches or did they lend a helping and compassionate hand?

Take a look around. Do people around you stand against adultery, lies, and/or infidelity? Do they have high standards of integrity and morality?

Take a look at yourself. Are you a saint? Have you not committed a multitude of faults. I know I have.

What is really paradoxical and sad, is that our society doesn’t give a crap about morality. Just, take an honest look around.

Yet, when a celebrity commits adultery, or any other wrongdoing, the media police enter the scene with no shame. The media dresses in white to become a moral authority and pass judgment?  As far as I know, opinion and judgment are not the same thing. Is this  journalism or people’s court?

Consider this: The same media engine responsible for manufacturing celebrities is also responsible for destroying them. The media is not known for providing unbiased reporting or fostering critical thinking.  They usually tell you what to think.

Tiger Woods’ struggles are no different from those of most young adults these days. Add fame, money, and power and it can become a recipe for disaster, for anyone! Can any of us be certain to never fall into temptation?

Adultery is a Terrible Thing

As a disclaimer, I am not attempting to defend or ignore what Tiger did. Adultery is not to be endorsed or accepted. It is perhaps one of the most painful violations of trust that can be committed against someone else. The repercussions are destructive for oneself and others.

However, I do believe in repentance and forgiveness available to all. As well as in grace and the respect of other people’ s privacy. This is personal and private matter for Mr. Woods and his family. The public will always try to make judgments about whether someone’s repentance is authentic or not, but it is impossible to judge the condition of someone’s heart.  Consider this famous quote from Jesus: “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye (Mat 7:3)?” People have no right to judge.

Learning From Every Experience

I’ve learned that almost every experience (positive or negative) has learning potential. We cannot fail to see the positive clouded by all the negative. What if we turn this negative incident into a positive learning lesson for society, sports, and children who perhaps aspired to one day “be like Tiger?” We can learn that:

1. People are not perfect, and neither are brands and those who market them. Human failure is a consequence of being human and finite.
2. Tiger’s struggles are no different from those of most young adults these days. Add fame, money, and power to the mix and it can be a recipe for disaster for anyone!
3. Tiger is human. He is not a god. He is not an idol to worship. He is an excellent player, but he is not perfect. Just like any of us, he makes mistakes.
4. Selfish actions may end up hurting lots of people, as well as the one who is at fault.
5. Everyone handles crisis differently. You can’t learn how to handle these situations at the driving range. Let Tiger and his family deal with this on their own, not in the best or most convenient way for the sport, the fans, or the sponsors.
6. Sometimes taking a temporary or indefinite break from your routine, from work or career can be a great way to seek clarity and regain focus.
7. Before jumping to judge between what is right and what is wrong, stop to “notice the beam in your own eye?”
8. When people ask for privacy, the least others can do is respect and honor it. A public figure doesn’t owe any public explanations/confessions.

Adam Ostrow, Editor in Chief at Mashable, is one of the few writers to offer positive comments on Tiger’s story:

“…it’s not our God-given right to know what Tiger does in his personal life…” “…as a man, it’s his right to remain private and accept the consequences, whether they’re lost endorsements or unforgiving fans. That right was seemingly stripped away from him by the ‘we deserve to know everything about everything’ culture we now live in.” (go to post)

Seeking Reconciliation

Atonement basically means the state of being reconciled with God. In a more practical sense, atonement is the attempt to overcome guilt caused by misdemeanors. This process includes a sincere abandonment of sin, repentance, and confession. We are not exactly sure how everything will play out with Tiger’s marriage, sponsorship, fans, golf career, or social life. But we do know (per his personal statement) that he regrets the transgressions he committed with all of his heart:

“I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect.” He goes on to say, “I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.”

So, can Tiger atone for his transgressions?
Absolutely, as well as each and every one of us.

What do you think about all this?

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Photo by William Hacker