Brit Hume appears to have decided that the unfortunate failings of one man's character is an opportunity to promote his own need to be perceived as Christian and/or to suggest that Christianity is in conflict, in a deliberate and proud way, with other faiths. His explicit suggestion that Buddhism lacks both the idea of redemption and of a moral compass turned out to be denigrating not only to Buddhism, but to Christianity and to the people of the United States as well. 

Mr. Hume, it seems, forgets that this nation is founded on the idea that in an atmosphere of freedom, people are better able to determine how society should be governed, and therefore, religious freedom, which is fundamental to our nation's democratic structure, allows for people to feel free of doctrinal uniformity and theocratic oppression. Mr. Hume, it seems, is not; he has fallen into the false faith that there is only one way to be a good person. His assertion that we should all believe that is an insult to the very foundational ideals of our nation.

Obviously, his remarks are denigrating to Buddhists and to Buddhism itself, and emerge from a deep deficit of understanding about this ancient religion. That Hume seems not to understand that compassion is one of the central virtues promoted by Buddhist teaching is obvious; that operating in a just and clean way, without ulterior motives or jealous desires is a necessary part of Buddhist life, seems to have escaped him completely, does not justify his insulting such a widely practiced faith.

Brit Hume insulted Buddhists and Buddhism, because he apparently struggles to embody the Christian —and, irony of ironies, Buddhist— virtue of humility. He also clearly feels no shame at all in directly linking his professed faith, with naked opportunism and cultural bias. Hume's remarks are demeaning to Christians and to Christianity, because they suggest that Christianity is an "easy fix", the simplest and most readily available way to "get forgiveness", to obtain it, whether deserved or not. 

He went so far as to say that Tiger's conversion would be a spectacle for all the world to marvel at, as if somehow Tiger would radiate Jesus-ness. This is almost like a kind of religious pornography. Christianity is meant to be a religion of good works and healing. So is Buddhism. Christianity is meant to be a humble faith, private and not showy. To seek for Christianity the glitz and glamour of celebrity is a transgression of Christian teaching. Two examples, from the Gospel of Matthew: 

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven." — Matthew 6:1

"When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have already received their reward." — Matthew 6:5

Tiger Woods needs to be a more mindful person, a more forthright individual, and a "better Buddhist", sure. He needs to do this within himself, in places we have no access to, and in his personal relationships, which don't include me, and I'm guessing don't include Brit Hume.

But Mr. Hume needs to be more mindful himself, more compassionate and a better Christian, someone who would not denigrate his faith by using it to insult others or by throwing it out into the public square like a cheap coin. Even if Tiger were a devout Evangelical, it would be up to him, not his religion, to be redeemed.