Following the Giants upset on Super Bowl Sunday, a top Republican official introduced a bill this week that would allow churches to show the big game on big screens.
Under the legislation by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) of the Senate Judiciary Committee, religious organizations that want to show professional football games would be declared exempt, as reported by The Washington Post.
"The legislation simply provides churches with a limited yet justifiable exemption to allow them to bring their congregation together to watch the Super Bowl," said Specter on Monday. "In a time when our country is divided by war and anxious about a fluctuating economy, these types of events give people a reason to come together in the spirit of camaraderie."
The bill comes as several churches across the country canceled their annual Super Bowl fellowships this past Sunday in fear of lawsuits for copyright violations.
The National Football League has warned churches that showing the Super Bowl game on TV screens larger than 55 inches and in a space more than 2,000 square feet violates the league's copyright. Only sports bars and other businesses that televise sports regularly are allowed mass viewing of the games.
While many church congregations are against the NFL policy, arguing they want to provide a family-friendly alternative to watching the game surrounded by alcohol, many chose to abide by the law and break up into smaller groups to view the big game in homes or cancel Super Bowl parties altogether.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league has no objection to churches hosting Super Bowl parties as long as they abide by the rules. He also noted that thousands of mass showings at churches would significantly reduce network TV ratings, and thus cut the ad revenue.
This past Sunday, the game drew the largest Super Bowl TV audience in history, according to Nielsen Media Research. The New York Giants 17-14 upset of the New England Patriots was watched by 97.5 million viewers, which breaks the 1996 record of 94.08 million.
McCarthy said the league is reviewing Specter's bill.
Other legislators are also planning similar moves to back churches. Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), a former Redskins quarterback and evangelical Christian who has spoken at church Super Bowl parties, plans to introduce similar legislation by the end of the week, a Shuler spokesman said, according to The Washington Post.
Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) is also looking to come up with a solution and is talking with the NFL, he said.
"We just want to make sure that churches are not being unfairly discriminated against," said Broun spokesman Derek V. Baker. "We want them to be treated fairly."
Comments
Wow - the few comments below really blow me away. As a pastor, it amazes me the naivete in some of the comments. It would be great to live in a world where everyone responded to the Holy Spirit as believers do (well, as some believers at least). But unfortunately, not all unbelievers say yes to the Holy Spirit's moving. But one thing I know, if I can begin a dialogue with an unbeliever b/c we watch the Super Bowl together and God blesses that by then using me to speak the message of Jesus into his/her life, then roll out the projector and pass me a hot dog.
If you choose not to show the game, then that is ok; but even Jesus sat down with the sinners and the outcasts (and I think He might even watch the Super Bowl with them).
It is just appalling that churches will use anything from the world, to get people to come to church. It is equally appalling that church leadership places more faith in a sporting event to draw people to the church, rather than the power of the Holy Spirit through evangelistic preaching.
Jesus said that if He were lifted up, He would draw all peoples to himself (John 12:32). The church should be lifting up the Name of Jesus instead of a projection screen to display the Super Bowl.
Didn't Jesus throw people out of the temple because they were using it for personal gain, instead of respecting the temple in reverence as a house of prayer and worship?
The church needs a wake up call from heaven.
"The world has lost the power to blush over its vice; the Church has lost her power to weep over it."
~Leonard Ravenhill
Where in God's Word do we find an excuse to sit in a pew (or in our own recliner, for that matter) and squander precious time spectating? It's a tragic day in America when church leaders encourage "viewing parties" and other forms of self-gratification in the name of "fellowship" yet ignore the Church's responsibility to be salt and light to our neighbors.
Thank God for a law that forces pastors to think twice before using church buildings as venues for spectator sports.
Consider the impact our American obsession with sports has had on the gambling industry, and vice-versa. Sadly, many Christians see no harm in betting on a game, despite the vast destruction of families caused by gambling addictions.
Then, there's the advertising and mass consumption of alcohol which takes place at these events, with no regard to the fact that minors are present. Is it okay if all we do is watch it?
And, please explain the real difference between a wardrobe malfunction and the average cheerleader's attire.
Ever wonder what Jesus would do if He were to walk into a church sanctuary full of Christians yelling and cheering for images of men injuring each other for sport, while scantily-clad females led drunken throngs in praises to their idols?... (Especially if only a few hours earlier those same Christians had sat on their hands in those same pews, yawning their way through a worship service for the King of Kings?)...
Maybe for now I'll just skip the part about how some Christians put more money into sporting event tickets than offering plates.
"Nothing can be more cruel than the leniency which abandons others to their sins. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one's community back from the path of sin."
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
Nobody is saying the churches must have super bowl parties or must allow viewing of the game in the church.
This is just giving them the legal freedom to do so.
But I would like to know who the people are that police the churches looking for these activities. Are they like the Men In Black who try to look annonymous with their sunglasses on?
They're not looking for converted souls, they're just looking for people who are illiegally enjoying a football game.
A Bill to put the Super Bowl back in churches??? You've gotta be kidding, right?
WE DON'T NEED THE SUPERBOWL IN CHURCHES, WE NEED THE CROSS OF CHRIST AND THE GOSPEL IN OUR CHURCHES!!!! FORGET THE SUPERBOWL!!! The less we accomodate this culture, the better.
REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!!!!
Our tax dollars at work. Because freedom of sports in churches is what the Congress is all about.