Not only can he take it, he wants to take it:
I’ll go a step further and say that, in so doing, Tebow knows full well that he is opening himself up to satire, because that is also a part of the deal evangelicals make when they dedicate themselves to converting a skeptical public. That’s why, when Clay Travisfamously asked in a press conference if Tebow was a virgin and caused so many sportswriters to flutter their lace hankies, Tebow simply smiled and answered the question. Hewants people to ask that question. He wants every opportunity to talk about his beliefs in public, and he is smart enough to know that he will often rile folks in the process. Bruce Arthur and Jemele Hill and the Very Serious Media People are throwing a sneeze-guard around Tebow’s religion that Tebow never would’ve asked for in the first place.
As usual, the problem is not with the thing, it is with the fan club. As with the Beatles, Jesus and Bill Maher, Tim Tebow could never hope to approach the level of offensiveness that his fans achieve on his behalf. Being defended is, in some ways, worse than being attacked, because your attackers at least give you the credit of assuming you are on their level.
Your defenders want you to be smaller, and in need of their protection. So that they can be bigger.
A.