Kiva founder on Buddhism

[hatman]

(Crossposted to kiva)

A couple of weeks ago, after the Tiger Woods apology press conference, Matt Flannery, Kiva's founder, Tweeted his reaction:

"Thought Tiger used Buddhism in an uncommonly Christian context: faith, forgiveness and redemption."

That struck me as a rather odd take on the situation, especially from someone as worldly as he is. I responded, saying that those values were hardly unique to Christianity. His response didn't help:

"I agree. But, in the very American tradition of public apologies, tiger used buddhism in a place where Christianity is common."

My take on that (to which he didn't respond) was that this was perhaps due to the fact that Tiger actually is a Buddhist. I could understand the point that he was clearly using the standard fill-in-the-blanks post-rehab apology script, and yes, it's unusual to hear Buddhism stuck into that blank. But that doesn't change the fact that the reason he did so is that he actually is a Buddhist.

To me, it's especially jarring after the comments from Brit Hume of Fox News, in which he said that Tiger, in seeking redemption, would be better served if he turned to Christianity (and away from Buddhism).

What's your take? Am I misunderstanding? Reading too much into what Matt Flannery is trying to say? Is there a valid point that I'm missing? Or is he entirely missing Tiger's point, which was that he screwed up (so to speak) and, in seeking forgiveness and redemption, he's turning to his own faith?

Comments

[flurgh]

I think Matt missed Tiger's point and Brit decided to try to convert everyone via mass media. Personally it is nice to see a celebrity type that is not playing "musical religions" a la Madonna.

[hatman]

Agreed, on all counts.

That was, to me, one of the most interesting things about the whole Tiger story. I didn't want to be involved in his personal life, I don't know any of the people involved, I think our media/culture is too obsessed with celebrity gossip, etc. But he's a Buddhist and he stuck with that and presented it to the public. Which challenges some preconceptions (exactly the things that Matt seems to have missed, unless I'm reading him wrong).

[flurgh]

The whole Tiger nonsense too just reminds me why I hardly turn on the television anymore. I do think that he went about his public presentation the right way. Couldn't have done it any better.

[ladymirth.livejournal.com]

As a Buddhist I'd be offended, but that would mean expending too much energy on behalf of morons. I'm just going to sit over here facepalming.

[pgwfolc.livejournal.com]

Glad to know it's not just me. But I can't just go calling him a moron. He's the founder of Kiva. He's made a real difference in a lot of lives and a lot of countries. He's traveled the world and seen all sorts of cultures. Which is what's all the more galling about this. I expected better of him.