O-Sen: Minimal fallout expected for Dwight Howard

[TooNice00]

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I didn't know that words had different connotations when it's religious, so does the word potato still mean the same thing as potato normally does when we are talking about religion? But seriously, please tell me how Dwight is not a hypocrite religiously speaking. Unless Dwight only practices certain aspects of the Bible, then he would be a hypocrite, right?

go look it up buddy.

[Gerhalt11]

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I didn't know that words had different connotations when it's religious, so does the word potato still mean the same thing as potato normally does when we are talking about religion? But seriously, please tell me how Dwight is not a hypocrite religiously speaking. Unless Dwight only practices certain aspects of the Bible, then he would be a hypocrite, right?

If you really want to make this a religious discussion, by your definition, then every Christian I've ever met is a hypocrite because I've never met a Christian who follows every single rule that the Bible puts forth. After all, according to the Bible, every NFL player should be put to death for handling swine on Sunday, since a football is made from leather.

So, if Dwight is like every other Christian in the world, then of course there are only certain rules in the Bible he follows. He's...what's the word...oh, right, HUMAN!

[thefranchise2k5]

Sorry, I don't own a Christian dictionary

http://www.openbible.info/topics/pregna ... of_wedlock

That's the best I could find about this topic. The way the bible talks about women is despicable. Property of men? This is the 21st century.

[thefranchise2k5]

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If you really want to make this a religious discussion, by your definition, then every Christian I've ever met is a hypocrite because I've never met a Christian who follows every single rule that the Bible puts forth. After all, according to the Bible, every NFL player should be put to death for handling swine on Sunday, since a football is made from leather.

So, if Dwight is like every other Christian in the world, then of course there are only certain rules in the Bible he follows. He's...what's the word...oh, right, HUMAN!

But the difference with Dwight is that he made his religion a public discussion. He should know that the consequences of doing something that the religion looks down upon such as having a child out of wedlock will make him look like a hypocrite.

[Gerhalt11]

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But the difference with Dwight is that he made his religion a public discussion. He should know that the consequences of doing something that the religion looks down upon such as having a child out of wedlock will make him look like a hypocrite.

What public discussion are you referring to? He made it know that he was a devout Christian, yes, but where is the discussion in that? He never went around trying to convert people. He just made it known who he is.

God, are we really so jaded by sports that we have to jump on the kid for a relatively small mistake? He didn't beat his wife or run a dog fighting ring or participate in point-shaving, all he did was father a child. Who are you or anybody else to judge him?

[TooNice00]

Sorry, I don't own a Christian dictionary

http://www.openbible.info/topics/pregna ... of_wedlock

That's the best I could find about this topic. The way the bible talks about women is despicable. Property of men? This is the 21st century.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

doesn't sound like dwight is being a hypocrite or a sinner to me. really who cares what dwight is doing with his personal life. i already spend enough time watching basketball don't need to get caught up and follow all their personal lifes too. espeically whether they are practicing hypocrisy

[thefranchise2k5]

I still love Dwight, he's still my favorite player and I still think he is a great guy. I have nothing wrong with people of faith, it just rubs me the wrong way when people try to convert others or rub it in other people's faces. I understand that people make mistakes as Dwight did, and I hope he becomes a better person of it and most importantly, becomes a great father.

[magicmamma]

Dwight made this a matter to the general public when he started preaching about Christianity to everyone. Had Dwight kept his personal beliefs to his church and himself, then this would not be an issue at all. It's also interesting how it appears that the ones who are forgiving Dwight the most on various message boards are users who claim themselves to be Christian.

How dare you accuse people who"claim themselves to be Christian" of the unforgiveable sin of forgiving! Certainly no Christian would be so shameless as to "do what Jesus would do." But you are free to throw the first stone, since you are certainly free of this particular sin.

Now, please, what is this preaching that you claim Dwight has done? I've been a Magic fan all the time Dwight has been in the NBA, and being a news junkie, I've probably heard or read about 90% of what he has said to the media/public in his professional role. I haven't heard him say anything I would call preaching. I'm sure it would be different if I heard what he says to church groups and such, but that isn't relevant. Do you call it "preaching" when he says something like, "I thank God for the opportunies that I have had?" Many times I've heard interviewers trying to get Dwight to say something negative about the morals or behavior of his teammates (or other NBA players) and he has never taken the bait. He always said that they respect his values as he respects theirs.

In contrast, I read one post from you and it's devoted to preaching about what Dwight and his fans ought to do.

[Potterman]

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"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

doesn't sound like dwight is being a hypocrite or a sinner to me. really who cares what dwight is doing with his personal life. i already spend enough time watching basketball don't need to get caught up and follow all their personal lifes too. espeically whether they are practicing hypocrisy

To put that verse in some "spiritual" as we call it context. Essentially no matter how a child is born it is to be considered a blessing. Do not confuse an immoral mistake (having sex) with the blessing of life (having a child). Honestly, I do not agree with Dwight and it is shameful what he did according to typical Christian conduct. But that is no different then what I told my sister who now is in the process of having twins. It's over and done with now guys. It's over now guys. Bury the hatchet and support your team.

[happypedro12]

I think less of him. He fell right into that girl's trap. He did exactly what she wanted. He has a multi-million dollar salary, and he just gave a fair chunk of it to someone for the next 18 years. She won the lottery.

It's called the Honey-pot, get used to it. You're telling me that if you were a 19-year old millionare and this FINE ass dancer started hangin around you all the time telling you how great you were, you wouldn't hit it?? plz, I don't care what anyone says, there's probably about oh.....3% of men who wouldn't. And I doubt any of them are basketball fans. Premarital sex is damn near impossible here in the 21st century, as long as he steps up to the plate and takes care of his child like a real man would do, then I'm ok with it.

[Bensational]

If anyone thinks any less of him for this then they're an idiot. He was like 19-20ish when this happened. He's just a kid.

sadly, i don't think every other kid in this situation gets the benefit of the doubt.


as for Dwight, he hasn't been smashing his values in our faces (i was kind of worried when he was a rookie and talking about putting a cross on the Logo that he might be a little too extreme), so hopefully he's not the kind of person to draw a lot of 'told ya so' feedback.

[DontPushMe]

I think less of him. He fell right into that girl's trap. He did exactly what she wanted. He has a multi-million dollar salary, and he just gave a fair chunk of it to someone for the next 18 years. She won the lottery.

It's called the Honey-pot, get used to it. You're telling me that if you were a 19-year old millionare and this FINE ass dancer started hangin around you all the time telling you how great you were, you wouldn't hit it?? plz, I don't care what anyone says, there's probably about oh.....3% of men who wouldn't. And I doubt any of them are basketball fans. Premarital sex is damn near impossible here in the 21st century, as long as he steps up to the plate and takes care of his child like a real man would do, then I'm ok with it.

You do know there are ways to both hit it and NOT get her pregnant, right?

[UCFJayBird]

magicmamma, and Gerhalt11, go back and read his quotes from when he was drafted. Dwight openly talked about using basketball as a means to convert people to Christianity and to save them. I believe he was even quoted as saying that he wanted to put the cross on the NBA logo (or something like that). at the dunk contest on his sticker he had "All things through Christ.' Phil. 4:13." on it. Preachy? not really, maybe just showing his devotion to his religion.

Now, did Dwight ever go through with this? Did he go around preaching to his fellow players? Did he try and convert others? We don't really know. It was a big concern for me when we drafted him, because I felt it could alienate teammates and create a religious divide in the locker room.

Also please don't judge the girl that way. Don't try and say she set a trap or was trying to get a sugar daddy or anything. We don't know the circumstances. People who work together often develop feelings for one another. It's very much possible they developed a relationship one summer in the offseason, and maybe that's why she decided to go dance for the Heat last season, so it didn't break team policy. And then she got pregnant. I mean we don't know the circumstances.

It's Dwight's business, leave it at that. As long as he's taking responsibility and doing the right thing NOW, that's all anyone can ask. It'd be different if he tried to cover it up or deny it. He openly admits it, and he should be applauded for accepting his responsibilities the way he has.

[magicmamma]

Dwight openly talked about using basketball as a means to convert people to Christianity and to save them. I believe he was even quoted as saying that he wanted to put the cross on the NBA logo (or something like that). at the dunk contest on his sticker he had "All things through Christ.' Phil. 4:13." on it. Preachy? not really, maybe just showing his devotion to his religion.

Does anybody have a reference for this business of "wanting to put the cross on the NBA logo?" I've looked for it. Dwight said he never wanted anything of the kind. He did say that when he was a youngster considering his future he had a "vision" of the NBA logo with a cross on it. Apparently he considered this a sign that he could be in the NBA and be a good Christian -- God's approval of his career choice. And the passage he had on the sticker is the one that JJ says he uses as his FT "mantra" -- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Perhaps JJ is "preaching" too. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work as well for Dwight at the FT line --just at the basket.

I am not a religious person, but I absolutely cannot stand religious intolerance. I like and respect those people who have religious convictions, and I have no trouble with people speaking of their faith as long as they don't try to shove it down my throat. That offends me, but Dwight hasn't said anything in his role as a basketball player that I find offensive.

[flyingvee]

BTW. I could care less about any of his christian crap. Im an agnostic, bordering on atheist.

As opposed to that agnostic crap. I have no problem with you having your beliefs but it pisses me off to hear Christainity constantly attacked and called crap. Why don't you go out and tell people that Islam is crap and see what happens?

[MagicFan3]

Do we really need to have another one of those huge religious debates about this?

The issue at hand is... oh wait, there is none. Dwight had a baby. Congratulations to him.

[UCFJayBird]

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Does anybody have a reference for this business of "wanting to put the cross on the NBA logo?" I've looked for it. Dwight said he never wanted anything of the kind. He did say that when he was a youngster considering his future he had a "vision" of the NBA logo with a cross on it. Apparently he considered this a sign that he could be in the NBA and be a good Christian -- God's approval of his career choice. And the passage he had on the sticker is the one that JJ says he uses as his FT "mantra" -- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Perhaps JJ is "preaching" too. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work as well for Dwight at the FT line --just at the basket.

I am not a religious person, but I absolutely cannot stand religious intolerance. I like and respect those people who have religious convictions, and I have no trouble with people speaking of their faith as long as they don't try to shove it down my throat. That offends me, but Dwight hasn't said anything in his role as a basketball player that I find offensive.

maybe that's what I remember then about the cross. I just remember that being something mentioned. And I'm not saying Dwight did anything wrong, and i'm certainly not judging him. Congrats to him on having a kid and i'm glad he's taking responsibility. However, I can understand where people are coming from. Dwight has always come off a little "high morals" type. He just had that image and persona, so when he goes and does something like this, which is usually frowned upon, it certainly hurts his "wholesome" image.

By the way comparing Dwight placing a sticker on national tv to JJ saying a prayer in his head or under his breath is a little bit of a stretch, lol.

[The Letter J]

I'm confused, where does it say in the Bible that you can't have sex before you get married? There are a lot of other rules in the Bible but I'm not sure where that one is. I've never seen it.

I've seen a lot of verses with double talk and rules about having to pay to sleep with virgins. I've seen verses about adultery.

I guess it's just like anything else. People can make things say whatever suits them. Honestly, there are plenty of verses in the bible that Christians view as outdated just because they don't want to have to follow those.

[tranjSAIC]

Heres my MagicConfid moment here guys, I actually knew about this for almost a year. I was honestly quite shocked when a friend of mines told me this, considering what kind of values Dwight has. Since this rumor wasn't basketball related though, I decided not to spread this rumor when I heard it.

[Dunkin On Ya]

I'm confused, where does it say in the Bible that you can't have sex before you get married? There are a lot of other rules in the Bible but I'm not sure where that one is. I've never seen it.

I've seen a lot of verses with double talk and rules about having to pay to sleep with virgins. I've seen verses about adultery.

I guess it's just like anything else. People can make things say whatever suits them. Honestly, there are plenty of verses in the bible that Christians view as outdated just because they don't want to have to follow those.

This should point you in the right direction:

http://www.gotquestions.org/sex-before-marriage.html