In the summer of 2004, Lance Armstrong was God. The Tour de France raged from July 2 to July 25 that year, and I watched every minute. I had just graduated from Air Force ROTC and Georgetown University, and I had about 8 weeks before I had to report at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. Being generally an active person, and living at home with my parents, I ran and I biked. And, if you followed cycling at all in 2004, Lance Armstrong was its name. A cancer survivor who comes back to win, at that time, 5 of the most grueling races ever invented? Lance was superman, he was the prototype of Americana, the epitome of what the human body and hard work could do.
Years of glory and godliness. A sampling of covers from 2001-2004.
There was no getting around the glory. And I, on the verge of serving in the military full-time, ate up every ounce. I had always loved cycling (I still ride into work each day), and now I had a true cycling hero, far above any of the NFL players I idolized in my childhood.
Lance’s comeback story was nothing short of the greatest story in the history of American sport.
Until it wasn’t.
This, hopefully, is not news.
I remember watching the Oprah interview and thinking, yeah, but everyone doped then. I mean, really…it was bad, but everyone did it. The spell was only broken, truly, in this past week, when I saw the most recent documentary about his cycling career, released in Europe last year and on Showtime this past December.
Here’s the preview:
It’s all quite dramatic: lies, conspiracy, fraud, cover-ups, messiah complex, power, addiction, power. Lance Armstrong was deliberately using the savior complex that had been readily thrown his way in order to perpetuate the lie and increase his power. His secret was not one of perfect physique or of better work ethics than anyone else.
His secret, kept through everything short of murder, was that he found a doctor who knew banned substances, and the doctor found a patient who was the perfect willing physical specimen–no moral qualms, no shortage of funds, and an already top-caliber competitor. Lance Armstrong was not a hero and “survivor of cancer,” Lance Armstrong was a science experiment gone perfectly right.
Damn. I mean, I had a lot of naivete during those years, but damn. I wore that yellow silicone band around my wrist for the better part of a couple years. I mocked the accusers who said that Lance was doping. Damn.
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Golden idols…
Since watching this documentary a few days ago, I have been reflecting much on the theological implications of the mental/spiritual fraud that Armstrong knowingly perpetrated on my psyche, and that of so many others. I genuinely feel betrayed. I feel angry. Lance Armstrong was an idol that didn’t just fall, he was an idol that inspired millions, all the while knowingly defrauding the same group of people.
My feelings towards Armstrong reminded me of something DailyTheology’s own Stephen Okey wrote back in 2011:
I suggest that one useful way to distinguish between the role of celebrities and saints in our daily lives is to question whether someone serves as an idol or an icon. More often than not, it seems it’s the celebrities on whom we become fixated and the saints who inspire us to look more deeply.
Armstong, quite clearly, was an idol. He was the epitome. He was the grand prize. Even in his most glorious days, he was vicious towards his attackers. He would fight back when reporters asked about doping. He would verbally and legally attack anyone who accused him, and, given his power and prestige, he always won.
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If you have ever wondered why a straight white man like myself would turn to liberation theology, I’ll tell you: history is littered with the devastation and terror wrought by Lance Armstrongs. To study mainstream world history is to study the history of the wealthy and powerful. It is to study the history of the man who inspired and still profits from the Wolf of Wall Street instead of studying those he defrauded, those whose lives and fortunes he stole. To study mainstream world history is to study, over and over again, the genius of George Washington and John Adams instead of the indigenous persons and African slaves that were terrorized and murdered under their beautiful eyes. Liberation theological history is not revisionist history, it is a choice to study the history of the weak and powerless instead of the mighty and glorious. For it is in the weakness of humanity, and there alone, that we can see the glory of God.
God may have heard the American Sniper‘s prayers for his family, but I guarantee you that God heard the prayers of the Iraqi “savages” he targeted, cowering in fear. I guarantee you God hears the prayers of those who fear the skies due to drone strikes. I guarantee you that God hears the prayers of the countless women raped, abused, and molested today. I cannot guarantee you that God listens to the prayers of their attackers for a peaceful life and a speedy trial. For Jesus to pray that God would forgive the Roman soldiers for their ignorance (Luke 23:34) means that God was predisposed to do quite the opposite–one cannot simply stand complicit in the destruction of human life (like, perhaps, in the hallway while someone rapes an unconscious girl) and have no fear in the face of God.
I am sorry if this makes me less appealing as a theologian, but if the gospel of Christ cannot be actual, real good news for the despised and beaten in society, then we have no place giving it such a title.
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So, thank you, Lance Armstrong, you sonofabitch, for reminding me of the truth of the world, for reminding me why I do what I do, for reminding to always look for someone less powerful. Thank you, Lance Armstrong, for renewing a more true faith in Christ of the powerless through the vainglorious idolization of your worth.
In the end, thank you, Lance Armstrong, for proving, via contrapositive, what Pope Francis reminded us in his sermon just this morning:
The Pope contemplated Jesus’ description of the attitude his disciples must have as he sends them out among the people. They must be people with no frills attached – “no food, no sack, no money in their belts” he tells them – because the Gospel, “must be proclaimed in poverty” as “salvation is not a theology of prosperity”. It is purely and simply the “good news” of liberation brought to all who are oppressed:
“This is the mission of the Church: the Church that heals, that cares [for people]. I sometimes describe the Church as a field hospital. True, there are many wounded, how many wounded! How many people who need their wounds to be healed! This is the mission of the Church: to heal the wounded hearts, to open doors, to free [people], to say that God is good, God forgives all, that God is our Father, God is tender, that God is always waiting for us … “.
Wow! I’m glad you were able to make good come from Armstrong’s lying, bullying, and cheating. I’ve read a lot about Armstrong (although I’m no cycling enthusiast), and I know he didn’t do it alone. Those around him supported the fraud and allowed it to continue. Armstrong is such a total jerk. Did you hear how he recently had his girlfriend take the blame for a car accident? Well, thanks for introducing me to the concept of liberation theology!
You’re very welcome! And I did see that about the car accident. It reminds me of the guy from “Wolf of Wall Street” — at some point, cheating and lying defines who he is. Oh, and if you want to understand more about liberation theology, just search for it on our blog…we have a lot of posts related to the theme. Thanks for reading!
I think with most experiences like this, regardless of what exactly the experience is, offers so much room for us to learn about ourselves and society. Good for you for seeing a positive outcome in your own personal life.
Indeed. Thank you for reading!
Saint Pope John Paul II condemned Liberation Theology because Liberal Catholics left God out of it; and used it to push the liberal agenda which has ruined my diocese; whose liberal nuns leased their empty buildings out to HHS Dept.’s STD Clinic that gives Condoms to 12 year olds w/o parental consent; accompanied by an 18 year old peer or pimp & two Diocesan Bishops & US Papal Nuncio don’t do a damn thing: namely close it down. It has run from 1995-2015. Their Family Planning Clinic gave out “Preven” a postcoital, post-rape 72 hour after the rape; abortion-pill. That Family Planning Clinic in that HHS Dept who were leasing from the CSJ’s in Nazareth MI ran from 1995-2003. I got banned from Mass in my City for 6 years, for writing a Open Shaming Letter to the Editor in the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Now, just as 2+2=4 you know that 12 year old boy is being used for sex. Tacit Sex Trafficking in the Kalamazoo Diocese & no one gives a damn. Lent 2015 will come and go. Rice Bowls filled: but those kids have never heard of the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST FROM A NUN, PRIEST NOR BISHOP IN MY DIOCESE!
I think Pope Francis gives good homilies; but lousy off the cuff remarks; on airplanes. He’s a long way from being a demagogue, to me.
Only in God do I worship.
Thanks for reading! The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, headed by later Pope Benedict, wrote a rather harsh critique of the Marxist themes in liberation theology back in the early 1980’s, which John Paul II approved and continued to argue throughout his papacy. However, today, liberation theology is much broader than the marxist roots whence it came. I’m very sorry to hear about your experience of your diocese over the past 20 years, but, personally, I define Liberation Theology as something different from the general “liberal catholicism” that you mention. It is a theological and personal orientation towards the “least of these” in society, and it is always founded in the good news of Jesus Christ. And Pope Francis, I’ll agree, speaks rather confusingly and contrarily sometimes. But he’s a very far way from being a demagogue…especially since he has no political power!
I understand your point. It brings in more information about these subjects.
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Definitely not setting a good example for his children. 😦
No, indeed! Thanks for reading!
Check out the Greg Lemond story
Do you mean the interview about Lance or his cycling biography? Thanks for reading!
no, Lemond is pretty inspiring – coming back after getting shot, riding as a way to over the pain of abuse. A better story than Lance, though livestrong was a good thing.
Thought-provoking. Sports stardom is a unique place of privilege that can unfortunately lead to all sorts of abuses of power.
Very true. Thanks for reading!
Livestrong💪
Well….
Haters gonna hate…..
I understand why you and many others are angry. It seems like Lance Armstrong definitely lied about his abilities.Still, I wouldn’t disparage the bracelet. Livestrong is a legitimate charity that still donates money to cancer research. Lance Armstrong is no longer associated with them.
Very true! I was using the bracelet more as an example of the movement, but you’re right in that they’ve moved on and distanced themselves from him. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for this very thoughtful post. You might also want to look at this other documentary about Armstrong: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Armstrong_Lie
I will! Thanks for the recommendation!
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Let me start of by saying I am by no means perfect, nor do I subscribe to one specific theology (don’t believe in division). I do believe in a higher power than ourselves. I say God others have other synonyms for the same. No judgment by me. Be this post made me stop and think this morning. It made review my thoughts on how I view others and give them power in my life. Also it reassured me that the kindness I try to extend to all is not in vain. I have not seen the documentary/ movie yet maybe out of fear of losing my faith in man/woman. To not disappoint is to not be human. We are all weak. Maybe I can’t let go of the hope and pride I felt when I watch a fellow person triumph their struggle. Maybe I like to believe that god works in mysterious, sometimes unexplainable ways. We humans tend to forget that we are all human. Faulty in some way. Ones faults no greater than another. Or maybe God used the weakness of one to empower countless others to do good. How many people has LiveStrong helped? Millions. I’m not condoning his actions, morals, or motivations. I just think that we have to look at the ying and yang of things. I believe strongly in the duality of things. There is always something good in something bad, as there is always something bad in something good. We can’t have on and not the other. Lance made terrible mistakes but which one of us mere mortals hasn’t on our personal journeys? We will never forget but I think that we were told somewhere to forgive those who trespass against us. Let’s dwell on the good of the situation and not give power to the negative. I lost someone very dear to me because of the most unbiased, uncaring of diseases, Cancer. I’m sure that money and awareness raised by LiveStrong in someway helped keep my 7 year old goddaughter here with us until she knew our hearts and minds were capable of accepting and dealing with her absence. So to Lance I hate the bad you have done but I do recognize the good that came from your weaknesses. We all have our roads to take. May your choices be well and if not may you find forgiveness on your way. Thank you author for giving me something to ponder this morning.
Thank you for this very thoughtful reflection. I like to see the good emerging from the bad not as yin/yang so much, but, like you said, the mysterious, unexplainable actions of God. That God will listen to those who pray and work for good, despite the fact that they’re being controlled, manipulated, and deceived. I like to think that Lance truly wanted to help people with cancer, despite himself, and that God worked through that desire as well. I wrote about this last year, in a blog titled “Finding the Face of God in Auschwitz.” In it I talk about that, in all the horrors, in all the pain, the question must transform from “why God” into “where God”–it’s not a matter of figuring out why God “allowed” things to happen, but of finding where God moved amid the tragedy.
Armstrong’s case is not even a miniscule fraction of the tragedy of the Shoah, but the same theology applies, as you reminded me today! Thank you for reading!
I don’t know if I buy everything that you’re talking about Yin and Yang (I’m not personally into all of that)…. however… I think you are completely SPOT ON about how we are called to forgive. I have a soft spot for the culprits of the world. Not that the victims of any circumstance don’t deserve to be protected and cared for… but there are enough other people who feel passionate about showing compassion and sympathy/empathy for victims, and that is good and well. But almost nobody wants to help the culprit… or show compassion to the guilty.
I’m totally in love with the “love the sinner, hate the sin” mentality. And just as quickly as someone is condemned for their actions… somebody needs compassion. I’ve screwed up in large ways and wronged others a number of times in my life, and I have also been hurt a number of times by others. Having had the experience of being the “bad guy” … it helps you to have more compassion for both sides. We’re all bad in one way or another; Lance just had the misfortune of being presumed flawless… and what a tall pedestal that is to fall from!
I appreciate your comment, but all you do have to do is watch the 24-hour news cycle to find people feeling compassion for the culprits and the guilty. I wish Lance Armstrong mercy and grace under God’s eyes, and hope that he finds peace, but no, there are NOT enough other people who feel passionate about the victims. There are plenty of people who talk about compassion and justice, but there are few who act on these words.
But, like you say, everyone, everyone needs compassion. I won’t disagree with you there!
Well perhaps there aren’t ENOUGH people showing compassion in general… toward either party. Thanks for the reply!
The one thing that troubles me is the cultlike attacks on imperfect humans. The whole country and even the world is declaring war on one another.
Imperfection, as we all have, is one thing. Years of manipulation, deception, and violence is something else. Thank you for reading!
No, not really. Imperfection encompasses everything that is not perfect. We’re not talking about degrees of imperfection. It’s a pass-fail situation.. and we all fall short of perfection equally.
I think that’s a theological debate you’ve started there…I could go back to the Reformation to try and answer it, but it might take a while.
I wasn’t talking about theology. (although I do recognize that some of my verbage did smack of Christian-ese)
I wasn’t referring to Salvation when I said “pass-fail situation”, and I know that I used the phrase “fall short” … but I really was talking literally. If there is one fault, then there is not perfection. (but rather; imperfection) If there are 99 faults out of 100 issues… also qualifies as imperfect.
Perfect: completely free from faults or defects, or as close to such a condition as possible.
Imperfection: the state of being faulty or incomplete.
Fair enough! I think I would argue that, in the case of human imperfection, our ability to visualize “perception” is completely dependent upon our own imperfection. Thus, we are indeed imperfect, but saying that we are doesn’t really address the situation. It’s like saying, “we are all human,” a statement which has the tendency to negate the ramifications of serious harm. People who train child soldiers are not the same degree faulty as mothers trying to protect their children from becoming those same soldiers, despite the fact that both groups of people have flaws. A drastic example, but a helpful one for this discussion!
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I am a Muslim, and yet I find this very beautiful and true. There are so many times in life when we idolize, and idealize, certain figures, forgetting that they are human too, and forgetting that there is something much greater out there. It is important to always be looking at both sides of any story before embracing it wholeheartedly, and this is something we’ll always have to remind ourselves of.
Thank you so much for this comment, and for reading!
Very successful cricketer yuvraj singh suffered from cancer too and armstrong gave him hope n strength. He once again came on the field. Sometimes you want some kind of inspiration to move n armstrong definitely provided that!
Quite true! Thanks for reading!
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Very interesting take on the Lance Armstrong phenomenon. It’s definitely not unique to him; there are plenty of great idols like him who end up falling, though maybe not in such a spectacular way.
It’s one thing if Armstrong had just been a cyclist and simply wanted to win without any of the media stuff, but Armstrong clearly basked in it. I think that hypocrisy is definitely what got to people the most. He didn’t defraud people in a way that did them permanent injury, like say Bernard Madoff did, but he did cheat his admirers in a real way.
The only aspect of the whole Armstrong thing I didn’t like was how indignant Piers Anthony got about it, but that might just be because he’s a prick himself.
Wait, sorry, not Piers Anthony. I meant Piers Morgan.
Makes much more sense now, and I agree! Thanks for reading!
This is such an insightful read. I was amazed at how righteous Lance seemed against his haters. I wonder if he’ll ever learn humility.
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Thanks! It’s been quite a wild ride these past few days!
How funny that you call it a Wild Ride! That’s the name of my blog! Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride. Ha!
While I dig the premise of your post, your understanding of doping in cycling seems a little off… First, everyone in that era doped. Everyone. Second, Lance didn’t find a doctor, the team and Lance had a doctor.
Put simply, the UCI had a $10,000,000 budget. Each team threw millions at beating that budget and the testing. While much has been made over his “cheating”, the only thing Armstrong did better than anyone else was not doping as much as others did. He kept it under control while others sought the advantage and took it too far. This is why he didn’t get caught and the others did… It took a whole new way of testing and frozen pee to catch Lance. They called it micro-dosing. Little mini doses that the body could metabolize before tests.
Firstly, thanks for reading and commenting! I would have to disagree: micro-dosing alone does not explain the years of evading the anti-doping measures. It also does not explain or condone the years of deception, of malice, of pressure on others to dope, of fraud.
I do think you’re right, though: in an atmosphere where doping became necessary to survive against juggernauts like Lance, he obviously did it the best. His system, developed with Ferrari (so it seems, before and after Ferrari was officially with the USPS team), was a marvel of modern science and Armstrong’s own incredible athletic ability. There is, of course, no way to prove all of it convincingly. Armstrong will only ever tell versions and partial truths, and his teammates only knew, and will only tell, so much. Knowing the damage pathological deception can do to a psyche, I imagine even Armstrong does not quite know all the facts perfectly well at this point.
For my part, I will always continue cycling, and owe a good part of that to his inspiration in his last few years on the Tour. Part of the reason I wrote this post is because I have no choice but to be thankful to him for part of my love of cycling, and I hate that I cannot see him as the person I did any longer. It was a post about Lance, sure, but it was also a post about my own idealization and idolization of celebrity.
Okay.
I enjoyed your post (found on Freshly Pressed…so congrats) despite the ‘fact’ that I am agnostic ~ undecided.
I’m ‘following’ you.
Thanks so much for reading, and I’m glad you’re following us now! Agnostic-undecideds are more than welcome to the conversation 🙂
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I am not reblogging this because I agree with the anger or the views of the author… but because I think the comments/responses were really wonderfully interesting and some were very insightful.
This is probably my new favorite thing I’ve ever read on WP. It was actually a white guy who introduced me to Liberation Theology when I was in high school, and it’s shaped my life ever since. This is so fascinating. I never had thought of the Lance Armstrong debacle so deeply. I had been disappointed and angry, but… Anyway, thanks for writing this! Beautiful. Beautiful.
You’re so very welcome! Thank you for the kind words.
Thank you for a very insightful story about lie, deceit and forgiveness through accepting the our Lord Jesus Christ. Our society should learn better about who to idolize and who not. And we shall never forget that we are just as imperfect as Armstrong. Only God can help us to overcome this.
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I agree with you completely, because been in places that there are no hope, for the person involved or the family. I’ve heard many people say “God, let me die so i won’t have to endure this pain”
I forgot something that i was going to put in the above comment. My family bought me a BURIAL PLOT they were so sure i was going to die
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