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Saturday, February 08, 2020

News Weakly Supplement

I've added this story to the News Weakly this week, but I've put it in a standalone place because 1) it's a lot to read on its own, 2) it's only one story, and 3) I have more to say about it than usual.

The story goes that a "Christian activist" is considering suing the NFL for its Super Bowl halftime show because, he said, "Viewing what you put on that screen put me in danger of hellfire." He wants to sue them for "pandering pornography to minors." He clarified that he wasn't concerned about it damaging his personal salvation; he was upset about "innocent children who are viewing it without the approval of their parents." He's thinking maybe "$867 trillion" in damages ought to do it.

I'm so disappointed by this. I want to know what "Christian" has to do with it. Nothing in Scripture suggests, "Go out and coerce your society to bend to biblical standards." Christianity is not about that. It is about sharing Christ, and simply labeling him "Christian activist" will likely serve to block that possibility. I'm sad that he would be so naive. I knew that they would not be glorifying God in that performance before it came on. I knew they would be injecting sex in their show before they did it. I didn't watch it myself because I don't need that. He couldn't figure that out in advance? I'm further disheartened that his kids are watching television without the approval of their parents. Isn't it the job of the parents to teach their children to guard their hearts and minds? Isn't that accomplished by carefully controlling what entertainment is brought into their living rooms? Isn't it abundantly clear that nearly all television is of the world and subject to sinful suggestions? The minute he plopped those kids down in front of that screen he started feeding them the world's version of what's good and right and he gave tacit approval for them to be there. It isn't the job of a God-hating world (Rom 8:7) to keep his kids from that; it's his. (Hey, did he not notice that there were 8 ads during the game linked to the LGBT world? Drag queens, "married" homosexual couples, self-declared "out and proud" gays and lesbians ... messages slipped right under his nose that this is okay. GLAAD was rejoicing while this "Christian activist," apparently, slept.)

Christians, it is not our job to force the world to be godly. It's not even God's plan. Guard yourselves. Teach your kids. Obey God. (And if that means you need to get rid of your television because it causes you to stumble, cut it off.) But don't complain because the world hates Christ and you for it (John 15:18; 17:14). It won't help you or anyone else.

3 comments:

Craig said...

While this was the first Super Bowl I’ve ever really watched, I didn’t pay much attention to the halftime show. I was watching with only adults, and I’m not a big fan of either of the two performers.

Having said that, I was aware when I heard who it was that the show would likely be PG-13 at best. Given that I would have prevented young children from watching if any had been there.

Call me crazy, but isn’t it the parents job to protect the kids from things they believe to be harmful?

This guy is giving Christians a bad name.

Like we were expecting something else from society.

Stan said...

Exactly.

Marshal Art said...

Based on your presentation of the activist's position, he didn't at all refer to "his" kids, but innocent kids. There's nothing that suggests he's even a parent. Just sayin'.