"While we believe that our promotions were poking fun at Mr. Tebow's celebrity status rather than his religion or baseball career, our intent was not to offend anyone, and for the fact that we did offend, we are sorry," general manager Dave Echols wrote in a statement to The Post and Courier.

Tebow, a devout Evangelical Christian, was in Charleston last weekend for a three-game series with the minor league ball club. The Fireflies are the Class A affiliate of the New York Mets.

Every time Tebow came to bat, the "Hallelujah Chorus" was played over the public address system. The Riverdogs' mascot wore eye black inscribed with "John 3:16" and was filmed "Tebowing" on the field. Click here to watch.

You might recall during Tebow's football career at the University of Florida, he would strike a prayerful pose on the sidelines that became known as "Tebowing."  He was roundly criticized by godless liberals for writing "John 3:16" in eye black during his gridiron days.

Echols acknowledged some of the promotional activities "were in poor taste."

Some called the RiverDogs antics trolling, others called it mocking and some called it downright disrespectful.

Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson told Newsday the non-stop badgering got under his skin.

"I guess my comment would be that it was all very minor league," he said.

Fans unleashed on social networking pages – calling it classless.

"Guy brings in the three biggest crowds of your year and you mock him relentlessly including his religion? Classless!" one fan wrote on Twitter.

"So they are proud of showing disrespect and bullying. This team may have won the game but they have lost much more. They are real losers," tweeted another. "I am from Charleston and it is not what my home town is about #VeryPoorRiverDogs."

I'll admit that I chuckled a bit over the "Hallelujah Chorus" bit – but it does appear the Charleston ball club crossed the line. Still, I think they deserve a measure of grace.

I suspect many of the RiverDogs are good, church-going folks so I doubt they meant to offend people of faith. I take the general manager at his word when he said it was nothing more than good-natured ribbing.

But I wonder if they would've been so eager to mock Tebow's faith – had he been a Muslim?

Todd Starnes

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Report: 'Battle-Tested' Amy Coney Barrett is Ready for Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings

Here's How Judge Amy Coney Barrett Lives Out Her Pro-Life Beliefs

Tens of Thousands Cried Out to God at Franklin Graham's Prayer March 2020 on Saturday

Humble Repentance, Passionate Intercession Marked 'The Return: Sacred Assembly', as Thousands Prayed at the National Mall and Millions More Online

President Trump on FIRE at Black Economic Empowerment Event in Atlanta

Project Veritas Uncovers 'Ballot Harvesting Fraud' in Minnesota: Devine

A 'Window' for the Gospel as Sudan's New Gov't Moves Away from Islam and Toward Democracy

Outrage: Idaho Police Arrest Three Christians Singing Hymns during Outdoor Worship Service without Masks

President Trump to Push for Juneteenth (Cessation of Slavery) to Become National Holiday: Report

Ohio Mom Tased and Arrested for Not Wearing a Mask at Son's Outdoor Football Game; She's Asthmatic

President Gets Ready to Announce SCOTUS Nominee While Democrats Plan Pressure Campaign

Woman Who Survived Abortion Thanks Trump for Signing 'Born Alive' Executive Order

Millions Around the World Join 'The Return: National Day of Prayer and Repentance'

Franklin Graham Talks to CBN News About Saturday's Prayer March, the Election and the Supreme Court Battle

Vietnamese Pastor Released from Prison: 'He Should Never Have Been Imprisoned in the First Place'

Trump Signing 'Born Alive' Executive Order Protecting Babies that Survive Botched Abortions

3,000 Pro-lifers Take Part in German March for Life amid Covid Restrictions

Truth Comes Out: Grand Jury's Breonna Taylor Decision Reveals It Was Not a 'No-Knock' Warrant

Dr. Alveda King: African-Americans Supporting Trump because of His 'Stand for Life'

President Trump's Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping in Federal Workforce