You'd struggle to miss the media coverage of Tyson Fury over the past few days. It was announced last week that the world heavyweight champion has made it onto the 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year's shortlist, sparking intense criticism.
The boxer has been investigated for hate crime over comments about homosexuality, and reportedly once said a woman's place was "in the kitchen and on her back". The BBC said that his inclusion on the list is not an endorsement of Fury's views, but a petition to have him removed started by an LGBT campaigner has so far attracted more than 131,000 signatures.
Tyson, a Christian, responded to the criticism yesterday by simply quoting the Bible.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved," he told a BBC reporter. "Jesus loves me, he loves you... and he loves everybody in the world. All you've got to do is repent of your sins and you will be forgiven."
He then quoted John 3:16, and said, "The only way is through Jesus into heaven, that's all I can say. The A-Z, the Alpha, the Omega. Jesus is the way, the key and the only way into heaven. Peace out."
What is perhaps more outrageous than Tyson's views in the first place – sadly, homophobia and misogyny can be found in the Church – is the unconditional support he's received from some Christians.
"You might not like his views," they say, "but look at his witness. He's quoting the Bible on the BBC!"
But what witness is that, exactly, other than proof that Fury can read? I wonder whether he's also read verses that show Jesus' radical treatment of women, or that tell us to love those around us, even those we don't agree with? Far be it from me to speculate on his faith, but to dismiss Fury's hideous views simply because he's thrown around a few Bibles verses out of context is, to me, naive, and even offensive.
We have to be holistic in our approach to sharing our faith. That might mean pointing people to the Bible yes, but it also means living – and speaking – in a way that reflects our belief in Jesus. It means advocating on behalf of marginalised groups like vulnerable women and gay people, not making offensive remarks about them. The justice talked about in Isaiah 58 is one that sets people free, sees the hungry fed and the poor clothed. Not those on the margins mocked and ridiculed.
To excuse Fury's comments because he can quote John 3:16 out of a car window (and I can't be the only one that was forced to learn that in return for a chocolate bar in Sunday School), is ridiculous. His 'witness' is surely undermined by his treatment of other people, and its foolish to think otherwise.
Yes, the Bible was quoted on the BBC. But at what cost?
