So, Tim Tebow is going to do some pro-life commercials that are going to air during the Super Bowl. A lot of folks are all upset, and think the ads shouldn’t be allowed to air, and that CBS should shut them down. The pro-life group Focus on the Family is coughing up at least two and a half million dollars to air a spot featuring the University of Florida quarterback talking about 
his mother’s decision not to abort her pregnancy and how it resulted in Tim being granted his life.
In the interest of full disclosure, I couldn’t disagree more with the pro-life movement. I am as pro-choice as they come. Funny thing is, when my wife & I were faced with an unplanned pregnancy early in our marriage, we struggled with what to do. In the end, neither one of us could live with the idea of aborting the pregnancy, but I will be eternally grateful we had the choice to do what we wanted. My friend Curt Harding explores this issue with a more Christian outlook at curtharding.wordpress.com
Personally, I think politics has become too wrapped up in this one issue. The reality is, The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has ruled, and abortion is legal. The chances of the court reversing itself are pretty much slim and none. Let’s be honest here. Real issues, issues that affect people’s lives on a daily basis, are being ignored because this country is so wrapped up in the abortion issue. Look at any presidential campaign, abortion is the litmus test by which all other things are judged. A platform can’t even get off the ground until you declare your allegiance one way or the other, thereby classifying you with an inescapable label. It’s the political third rail, and it shouldn’t be. There are other issues that haven’t been decided that need attention. Roe v. Wade, is the law of the land and has been for a generation. Next issue please…
Another issue that goes back even farther, is freedom of speech. It’s been the cornerstone of this country since its inception. This is so simple it’s comical. Freedom of speech applies to everyone, not just those you agree with. It means that a group who advocates something you vehemently disagree with, gets to say their piece. That’s their right as American citizens. It’s what Americans have fought and died for, for over two hundred years. If Focus on the Family wants to shell out up to five million of their hard-earned dollars on an ad (if it airs twice) featuring the quarterback of the number three college football team in the country, that’s their choice. If you don’t agree with the message, it will cost you the grand total of nothing, to ignore them.
Trust me, you’re getting the better end of the deal.
2 Comments
At least we can agree on one thing: “Personally, I think politics has become too wrapped up in this one issue.” Amen brother!
As for choice, I am pro-choice as well, I just hope that life is the choice every time. As a Christian I will not waver in this position and frankly the church is too silent about it. Millions of innocent lives have been aborted since Roe v Wade became law. This is not okay. It’s painful and impossible to even imagine what differences those lives may have meant to our world.
Here’s why I would make a horrible politician though. Do I want abortion to be illegal? No. I just want women to choose life EACH AND EVERY time.
As for the Super Bowl ad I say “bravo” Tim! It takes guts to stand for something and Tim is not shy about publicly expressing his beliefs. In this age of spoiled, over-sexed, and overpaid athletes, he is a refreshing voice.
I understand that you can tune out this ad, but I suggest you watch it and really hear it. It is a viewpoint that deserves consideration. After all this is life we’re talking about.
It’s just such a personal thing. For myself, it wasn’t a road I could honestly go down. Looking back on it, when Jen first got pregnant, we struggled with what to do. In all honesty though, the struggle was really about how we would make this work, not would we make it work. I can’t make that decision for anyone else. It’s not my place. I can’t tell someone who is pregnant through horrific circumstances that they should or shouldn’t continue with the pregnancy. Neither should the government or any other organization. Neither myself, nor anyone else, can stand in the shoes of a pregnant woman and make that call for them.
Now, Focus on the Family has a right to voice their opinions. It gets dicier when you talk about airing on a private network though. These are private corporations that have their own rules in place about controversial subjects. CBS refused to air a spot several years ago that came down on the side of gay marriage, and if the heat continues to build on the Tebow ad, you can bet CBS will likely pull the plug on that too. On the other hand, this is the Super Bowl, and one should never underestimate a corporation’s desire to make a couple of million bucks. I’ll watch the ad. It won’t change my mind, but I’ll watch it. I’ve lived through many an election and have been bombarded by many campaign ads. My convictions remain unchanged, so I’m not too concerned about 30 seconds suddenly changing how I feel about this. I agree that Tim Tebow has the courage to stand by his convictions. It takes some brass, and he should be commended for it. The pro-choice movement has options too. If they are really that threatened by this ad, space for a rebuttal starts at 2.5 million…