In 1987, a pregnant mother on a missionary trip to the Philippines, became ill with amoebic dysentery. The medicine she was required to take in order to become well again put her unborn fetus at risk. Doctors urged her to abort the baby. She refused. On August 14, 1987, she gave birth to her fifth child...a little boy she named Timothy Richard, a.k.a. Tim.
Or, for those of you familiar with college football, Tim Tebow.
This story is the basis of an upcoming pro-life commercial scheduled to air during the Super Bowl, and paid for (with a pretty penny, I might add), by a conservative Christian group, Focus on the Family.
Now, before this goes any further, I want to say right now, this writing is NOT an argument for or against abortion, as I don't plan on even mentioning my opinion about that particular topic. Nor is it a slam at conservatives or Christians. This is simply me writing to convey my severe distaste for a moral/ethical/religious commercial scheduled to air during the Super Bowl. I'd be writing this very same article if the commercial was pro-choice or even covered other ethical topics. The Super Bowl is a television event notorious for it's rowdy, hilarious commercials which inevitably manage to bridge the gap between the cultures, resulting in one great collective chuckle.
As far as I'm concerned, what this ad represents has absolutely no place at an entertainment venue and threatens to be quite divisive. What's particularly concerning to me, why air a commercial primarily aimed at women during what's considered a "man's" sporting event? Do we truly feel a sporting event where guys are bashing each other to pulp is the most politically correct place to talk about abortion issues?
My answer to that question is a resounding NO.
Fellow blogger, LJ, feels the same and had this to say on her blog, A Racing Mind:
Entertainment venues have no business jumping into any
serious political stances. Ever. EVER! This would be akin to playing a Pro-Life
or Pro-Choice ad during the previews before a movie starts at the theater. Or
during the commercial breaks of the Olympics. Or to see an anti-abortion
billboard sign on the side of a NASCAR vehicle at the track. Hell, why should we
stop at the Super Bowl, folks? Let's just put those ads, no matter which side of
the fence, in the previews at the beginning of your child's DVDs. Disney? How
about an abortion debate ad leading up to your seeing Mickey? Anything sound
wrong with any of that?
CBS, the network holding the rights to the Super Bowl this year, recently turned down a commercial made by the United Church of Christ because it depicted acceptance of homosexuality. Yet now, because they've "changed their mandates," they're running pro-life ads? Make sense? I didn't think so either.
Money talks, folks. In this ebbing economy, the networks are feeling the pinch. Focus on the Family, the religious group behind this controversial commercial, saw an opportunity and took full advantage. Yet, as far as I'm concerned, CBS and the NFL should be ashamed of themselves. At the very least, if they're steadfast about airing this ad, they should also offer Planned Parenthood the opportunity to air a pro-choice commercial. It's only fair, after all.
So tell me, dear readers, what are your thoughts about this controverisal topic? I don't think there is any need to remind you to be respectful of other's opinions. We're all adults here. :)
7 comments:
Excellent entry, Bridgett! Fabulously presented, I hope CBS realizes that as many people as there are that are apathetic, or for this ad, there are many who are against it. They need to pull their collective head out and get out of politics during entertainment.
I would say there are as many women that watch the super bowl as men these days.
And that's all I'm gonna say on this post. I won't give my opinions on it either way.
I took my children to a new church a few years ago. The subject of the sermon that week was abortion. I found I wasn't ready for my seven and eight year old to have to consider the implications of abortion...I feel the same way about broadcasting it on TV during the superbowl. I wanted and I'm sure many other parents do as well, want their children to remain innocent of this issue until they're nearing teenage years.
I am not going to post my opinion for or against one or the other - however i will say it is just as easy to say that Tim Tebow should no longer allowed to say a prayer or quote a bible verse in his interview while in his uniform during a game because this is no place for church- freedom of speech - that's what it all boils down to - and in that same manner - if the pro choice group has the money to place such an ad - they would i assume be given the same opportunity - pro lifers just beat em to the punch it seems to me...
I might address this in my blog - maybe...lol
I agree- a commercial of moral/ethical with highly political connotations shouldn't be aired during the superbowl. Whether it's about abortion or some other "hot topic". The superbowl is supposed to be fun, with silly funny commercials... let's just keep it this way!
I'm really torn about this. I guess it depends on how graphic. I don't want my kids or myself seeing dead babies on a commercial. Nor do I want every ad to be political. Then again, if they can keep it vanilla and I think everyone should get an opportunity pro life or pro choice, neither should be banned, fair is fair. If they can afford it so be it. People can have their own opinion afterwards.
However, if its harmful say pro 9/11 hell no.
The real problem I've got, and would have even if it were pro-choice, is that it's a political issue that has no business in football. The only reason it's being allowed NOW, as opposed to years ago, is because the subject just so happens to be a Heisman trophy winning football player.
It was a very sneaky and convenient way to exploit football and make it a political podium. And Mr. Tebow, played right into those hands.
The commercial is supposedly very mild. With Tim telling the story about his mother's bravery. Which I have NO problem with. If he wanted to salute his mother, I think he could have found a way to do it that didn't exploit entertainment by slipping the Pro-Life tag line, "Life, what a beautiful choice." in at the end. Sneaky and tacky, in my book.
There won't be any dead babies, though, as far as I know. So, I think people can rest assured that it's just a story about this guy's mother. But, I think they just should have left the religious and political implications out.
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