So what is this controversy? He is appearing in a pro-life ad during the Super Bowl for Focus on the Family. And it has brought the atheists and pro-abortion activists out of the woodwork. For those who do not know, Tim Tebow is an outspoken Christian who just happens to be one of the most successful college quarterbacks of all time. Because of an illness, doctors recommended that the Tebow’s abort Tim. They, of course, chose not to.
The 30 second ad will cost Focus on the Family around $2.8 million, all of which was given to the organization by a few generous donors. There have been immediate calls for CBS to not allow the ad. Here are a few of the statements I have seen.
“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,” – Jemhu Greene, president of Women’s Media Center.
“By offering one of the most coveted advertising spots of the year to an anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization, CBS is aligning itself with a political stance that will damage its reputation, alienate viewers, and discourage consumers from supporting its shows and advertisers,” – Letter to CBS by Women’s Media Center
[The ad is] “extraordinarily offensive and demeaning…That’s not being respectful of other people’s lives…It is offensive to hold one way out as being a superior way over everybody else’s.” – Terry O’Neill, president of the National Organization for Women
“If you’re a sports fan, and I am, that’s the holiest day of the year…It’s not a day to discuss abortion. For it, against it, I don’t care what you are. On Super Sunday, I don’t care what I am. Feb. 7 is simply not the day to have that discussion.” – Gregg Doyel CBS sports columnist
“When you are an athlete and you put yourself out in the public sphere when it comes to politics, you have a good chance of alienating half your fan support,” Daniel Smith, UF associate professor of political science and faculty adviser to Gators for Choice.
Tim Tebow has obviously struck fear into the pro-abortion movement (The reaction reminds me of their response to Sarah Palin). Maybe it is his overwhelming popularity they are scared of, but I imagine it is more than that. What they are really scared of is putting a human face to the abortion issue. Seeing a grown man (and a very accomplished one at that) who could have very well been aborted if it were not for his strong Christian parents is not advantageous to a movement whose goal is to allow the killing of the most defenseless among us. It is the same reason they do not want you to see the following photos (warning-graphic). It brings realism to what they are advocating.
Thankfully CBS has not bowed to this liberal pressure and thankfully there are strong Christians who would risk their popularity (according to Mr. Smith) to stand up for what is morally right. For that I applaud both Tim and CBS.
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I think it’s good that Tebow is stirring things up and getting people talking. The Focus on the Family organization is getting more than the superbowl commercial they paid for because people are talking about it already, on tv, online, even radio shows. I think it will be interesting to see what happens.
Very good point Kimberly. I think it will bring more discussion and probably reveal a little bit about those who promote this practice as morally ok. (just look at the comments in immediate response)
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