NEW YORK -- A national coalition of women's groups called on CBS on Monday to scrap its plan to broadcast an ad during the Super Bowl featuring college football star Tim Tebow and his mother, which critics say is likely to convey an anti-abortion message.... "An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year - an event designed to bring Americans together," said Jehmu Greene, president of the New York-based Women's Media Center.... CBS said it has approved the script for the 30-second ad and has given no indication that the protest would have an impact. A network spokesman, Dana McClintock, said CBS would ensure that any issue-oriented ad was "appropriate for air."
As Americans from all walks of like gather 'round their big-screen televisions on Super Bowl Sunday, what could be more American than an anti-abortion ad from a group of Fundamentalist Christian hatemongers? Yessiree, there's nothing I want to see more on Super Bowl Sunday than a couple of take-no-prisoner Fundamentalists propagandizing and proselytizing. OK, so perhaps it won't be as bad as I think...but I really don't care, because I don't plan on watching the ad in the first place. I don't think I'd dignify the ad or the agenda it will be pushing by exposing myself to it.
Many Americans, especially those of us who are football fans, know Tim Tebow's story. Yes, it's an inspiring story if you're into that sort of thing, but what gets lost in the rush to lionize Tebow is the theology behind the story. To boil down the theological underpinnings of Bob Tebow Ministries is pretty simple: if you don't believe exactly as we do, you're in the fast lane on the expressway to Hell. Do not pass "Go". Do not collect $200. Go directly to Hell. Capice?
So much for Christian charity and tolerance....
The REALLY interesting thing about the Tebows and their story is that it turns out that abortions have been illegal in the Philippines since 1930. So, even if Mrs. Tebow's doctors did in fact recommend aborting the fetus that became Tim Tebow, she wouldn't have been able have the procedure in the Philippines. Hmm...truth? Or Propaganda? Inquiring minds want to know.....
Not that I would deny the Tebows the right to share their story and/or proselytize as they see fit, but since when is the Super Bowl the proper venue for this sort of thing? Especeially since the NFL historically has been loathe to embrace or permit ANYTHING even remotely controversial and/or divisive? I realize that God and football go together like peanut butter and jelly...or strippers and professional athletes...but what if a Buddhist group was willing to spend $2.5 million to advocate for their philosophy? Or an Islamic group? Does anyone REALLY think that ads from either of these groups would be allowed anywhere near a television screen on Super Bowl Sunday?? Really?? Or how about if NARAL wanted to do the same? Anyone else see a double standard at work hear?
Yeah, now tell me again how it is that Christians are oppressed when they're the majority.....
So, what's the moral of this story? Well, if you're CBS, it's that they have no problem running an ad for an intolerant group of antii-choice Christian zealots. God help you if you run a gay dating site and you want to purchase a 30-second ad. CBS simply will NOT be party to condoning that sort of sinfulness. That's just immoral....
Game on, eh?
