Michael Vick’s statement on ‘finding Jesus’ causes opposing reactions

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Comments: 5

Michael Vick during a press conference

Washington D.C., Aug 29, 2007 / 10:21 am (CNA).- Michael Vick’s recent statement that he has “found Jesus” is drawing quite differing reactions. On the one hand, some people doubt his sincerity, while others are asserting that he needs to be reached out to.

In his statement after pleading guilty to charges that he ran an illegal dog-fighting ring, Vick told reporters: "I'm upset with myself and, you know, through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God."

Catholic League President Bill Donohue says that he sees these public testimonials as opportunity.

"I think people need to reach out to Vick," Donohue told Cybercast News. "I think what he did was disgusting, but if somebody says he wants to reach out to Jesus and reach out to God, it's time to call him on it."

He also cautioned against what he calls a "piling on" of critics condemning Vick in disproportion to his crimes.

"Some people want to destroy him, to squeeze every ounce of blood out of this guy," said Donohue. "When people do reach out as Vick is doing and he's asking for forgiveness, you have to take him at his word until such time as he proves disingenuous."

During his college football career, Vick was known to pound on his shoulder pads and point skyward after he scored a touchdown, a signal to thank God for the score. Vick also has a history of professing his Christian faith to reporters. Cybercast News Service discovered at least seven such quotes in various media.

Tim Wildmon, president of the conservative American Family Association, is skeptical.

"It gets personal in trying to understand someone's faith at times so they may say the right things, but you don't really know what they mean by it," he told Cybercast News Service. “You wonder, what's the motivation for making a public statement? Is it sincere, or are they doing it to gain something from it?"

Comments: 5

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Mark Mayer
Nashville, TN, USA 08/29/2007 11:22 PM EST

I am a forgiving person. However I am tired of people using GOD in the wrong way. I am willing to forgive and forget, but you also have to remember that if you are a role model, like Mr Vick is, you have to live above the 'Normal' standard. You must be willing to not get into situtions like this. You must not show the appearance of improprity.

Published by: karen Loeschorn
milford, pa usa 08/29/2007 09:06 PM EST

I agree with Bill Donohue. Vick did something awful but we must believe unless given a reason to question his sincerity.

Published by: Father David Lord, MIC
Darien, IL 08/29/2007 02:21 PM EST

I found Michael Vick's public appearence and personal testimony moving and authenitic. He acknowledeged in a manly and Christian fashion the wrong he committed. He then asked to be forgiven. In other word's Michael went back into the wound that he had inflicted a nd from that place he admitted and acknowledged the wrong he had done. Then he asked to be forgiven for lying and,dogfightening.

I admire as well that he said "I will not point fingers...I take responsiblity for my actions."

He did all of this under the glare of public scrutinty and in the presence of a hostile media and outraged community.

I think Michael Vick is worthy of our both our forgivness and esteem for his public action of contrition and atonement.

I pray that we will not constrain the quality of mercy.

Finally we need to keep his actions in perspective. He was wrong. His choices replusive. However what about all the human babies that are aborted daily in this country without so much as a tear. Isn't human life more valuable than dog life?

Where is outrage over all poets, priests, mothers and father's, lost because of the selfishness of abortion?

Published by: Jack
USA 08/29/2007 01:19 PM EST

Our Catholic faith is about forgiveness, however this unbelieving world thinks otherwise, which is too bad. That's all that I know.

Published by: tim stamper
cincinnati, ohio 08/29/2007 01:00 PM EST

i think michael should go to church

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