Tiger Woods today issued an unqualified apology for his infidelity. I appreciate the way Tiger took ownership and pray he will hear the invitation of the Gospel.
At the same time, Tiger’s statement raises questions about his professed Buddhism. Tiger said:
Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don’t realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught.
Besides saying that immorality is wrong, how will Buddhism help?
Buddhism with its belief that god is an abstract void or undifferentiated essence leaves those who seek change to find the resources within themselves. Does Tiger really think he has the resources within himself to change?
Said a different way, Tiger has just had a cruel encounter with the Law and the Law won. Tiger is faced squarely with the requirements of morality, but he is trying to do it on his own. Yet, if he would turn to Christ, he would find the truth of this simple rhyme:
Run [Tiger] run, the law commands,
But gives us neither feet or hands,
But, better news the Gospel brings,
It bids us fly and gives us wings.
Can a Buddhist be forgiven?
Buddhism offers no forgiveness. In reference to Buddhism, Dean Halverson points out:
Because the law of karma is an impersonal principle similar to a law of nature, the consequences of our moral actions are inevitable. Sin, in other words, cannot be forgiven because there is no forgiver. Just as you don’t ask forgiveness from the law of gravity – a natural law – neither is it possible for the law of karma to forgive. Compact Guide To World Religions, The
, page 66.
This may explain why Tiger did not use the word “forgive” or “forgiveness.” Tiger apologized to different groups, but he did not ask for forgiveness which fits with Buddhist beliefs. Yet, didn’t it come through that Tiger knows he needs forgiveness?
Oh to point Tiger and others carrying such heavy burdens to the invitation of Jesus Christ, “Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will given you rest (Matt 11:28-30).
Does Tiger really think he can atone for what he has done?
Tiger said,
I have a lot to atone for . . . It’s now up to me to make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I’ve made. It’s up to me to start living a life of integrity.
Of course, Tiger can never atone for what he has done. He needs grace.
Giving him the benefit of the doubt, Tiger probably realizes that he can never atone. Yet, he also sees the need. So, he is caught. Again, we would proclaim Gospel of the Triune God and his demonstration of love: “Not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sin (1 John 4:10).”
Or, we might point Tiger to Toplady’s words in Rock of Ages:
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Is it okay for a repentant Buddhist to be angry on behalf of his wife?
Tiger said:
It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal. Elin deserves praise, not blame.
Later in the interview, Tiger expressed indignation over his children being followed.
In answer to the question, it would be my understanding that, the Buddhist answer to the question of whether or not it is ever okay to be angry is “no.” Indeed, the Buddhist goal of enlightenment would be to extinguish all passions. Again, quoting from Compact Guide To World Religions, The
Christians, for example, speak of a God who has emotions such as anger and love, but Buddhists see such emotions as a negative rather than something to be proud of. Such emotions indicate that such a person is still stuck in his or her attachment to the ego.
The Christian response to the question of whether or not Tiger could be justly angry on Elin’s behalf is clearly, “yes.” There is such a thing as righteous anger.
Why would our culture say Tiger was wrong?
Tiger accepted that he was wrong. But, we ought to ask our pornography saturated, infidelity celebrating culture why we are so indignant. Tiger pointed to cultural standards and the expectations for married couples. He also mentioned his Buddhist faith, which would condemn his behavior. But, what standards do these establish if one does not believe in a personal, holy God?
So, our culture, even as it tries to suppress the truth, testifies against itself (Romans 2:14-15).
