policy with pop

Tim Tebow: From the Football Field to the Political Arena

Tim Tebow seems a likeable guy. When Oklahoma cornerback Dominique Franks belittled the Heisman winner, he responded in a classy and humble way, earning my respect. Since then, he’s won another national championship, cried, and recently won the Sugar Bowl. But, the quarterback may be making a controversial play by participating in a Focus on the Family ad promoting a pro-life chance.

Liberal organizations, especially pro-choice groups, are criticizing CBS and Tim Tebow for the upcoming Super Bowl ad. The ad will reportedly feature Tim’s mother describing her decision to give birth to him. Obviously, that decision resulted in producing the Heisman-winning quarterback, which implies that every pregnant woman should not choose abortion.

CBS had previously rejected other political ads, stating that its policy was to reframe from such ads. Some feel like CBS has backtracked on this policy by allowing this ad, produced by right-wing religious group Focus on the Family. The group describes itself as a global Christian ministry. Focus on the Family has been described by some liberals as a hateful, anti-gay and anti-women group. Obviously, Focus on the Family is a controversial group.

Women’s organizations are not the only ones hoping to pass interfere with the ad. Some football enthusiasts say a political/religious ad is inappropriate for a day to tailgate, drink, and watch football.

Tim Tebow, like any high profile football player, is either loved or hated by football fans, depending on which college football team they are rooting for. However, Tim has always made his faith known to the public. Besides stories about his missionary trip and his vow to remain a virgin until marriage, he also puts Bible verses on his eye markings. But, I don’t recall him using his public microphone to preach advocate his political positions. This ad would be his first.

Defending himself from criticism over the Super Bowl ad, he argues that he’s just standing up for what he believes in. Sarah Palin also blocked the quarterback’s scramble, by criticizing women’s groups for their criticism of Tim and pro-lifers.

Does the ad’s affiliation with a ultra-conservative group matter?

Is the Tebow ad an attack on pro-choice group and laws?

Is it wise or noble for the quarterback to run into the political thicket of the abortion debate? Or should he concentrate on improving his football techniques?

Should CBS play the political ad? Or is it sacrilegious for the network to mix football with a political/religious debate? 

Evolution Gives Kirk Cameron Growing Pains

Once known for playing troublemaker Mike Seaver on the sitcom “Growing Pains,” Kirk Cameron found God and started the Way of the Master, a Christian evangelical ministry. One of his current projects is to dispel the theory of evolution.

On the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s Origin of Species, Kirk and his ministry will distribute special copies of the book that includes a forward, discrediting Darwinism, at top colleges around the country. Watch Kirk explain his reasoning and plan:

Kirk says, “Our kids can no longer pray in public. They can no longer freely open a Bible at school. The Ten Commandments are no longer allowed to be displayed in public places.” Now, if taken literally, Kirk’s assertions are factually incorrect. But, I think what he is really concerned about it that the government cannot force or coerce a religion Christianity on public school children and people in general. Is this concern valid?

To fight the growing atheism in the USA, Kirk opens up with an attack on Darwin’s theory of evolution… well, not the theory itself… more like attacking Darwin. Kirk calls Darwin a racist and sexist. He also cites Hitler’s connection with the theory. If these assertions are true, are they effective in discrediting Darwin? How about discrediting his theory of evolution?

Isn’t Kirk opening Christianity up to similar attacks? The Bible has been historically used to justify racism and sexism. Hitler also invoked the Lord’s name to justify the persecution of Jews. Do these arguments discredit Christianity? Or God?

But Kirk is not done; he tries to make scientific-based jabs at the theory of evolution. He mocks the notion that “nothing created everything” as absurd. That might be true, but what does the big bang theory have to do with the validity of Darwinism? Kirk also mentions the incredible structure of DNA… But he doesn’t explain how DNA disproves evolution. Last, Kirk states that there is an absence of fossil evidence to support evolution. Finally, Kirk puts a dent in evolution! But just because you can’t see the evidence, doesn’t mean that evolution doesn’t exist, does it? You tell me.

In place of evolution, Kirk would like students to believe in creationism (or intelligent design). Kirk states that creationism has scientific credence because famous scientists, including Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and Louis Pasteur, believed in God. Do these endorsements validate creationism in your eyes?

Aside from Kirk Cameron’s arguments against Darwinism and for creationism, what do you think about his grassroots strategy? Does giving out 1,000 special edition copies of Darwin’s Origin of Species at each top 50 college advance his goal of a less atheist nation?

If you attend a top 50 university, will you try to get your hands on a free copy of Origin of Species – a $29.99 value?

Vivica A. Fox's Psychic Friends... Seriously!?!

Ummm…

How did Vivica A. Fox go from blockbusters, like Independence Day, Soul Food and Kill Bill: Vol. 1, to spokeswoman for The Psychic Friends Network infomercial? Oh, how the mighty has fallen. Or has she?

Fox released a statement, declaring: “Vivica A. Fox is no friend of The Psychic Friends Network.” She alleges that the network is “using her unauthorized likeness, footage, voice and photographs as an endorsement of their service.” As a result, Fox wants it to stop.

I’m confused. It would be understandable if she’s outraged had the network only used her image in photo ads without her permission. But, Fox is in the commercial with dialog no less. It seems like she consented… sounds like Fox is now ashamed... Could you blame her?

But, really, should she be ashamed? Is it bad to be associated with psychics? Why? Could psychics be legitimate (as a form of religion or science perhaps)? Or do only crazy people need and heed the advice of psychics?

You’d be surprised who uses psychics. In 2002 the British Ministry of Defense spent approximately $35,000 on testing potential usage of psychics. That pales in comparison to the $20 million United States government agencies (Department of Defense, CIA, and NSA) spent over two decades trying to harness psychic powers to find hostages, terrorists and criminal activity.

So what do you think about using psychics? Waste of time and (tax-payer) money? Or innovative tool?

Should the use of psychics be considered a quasi-religion, semi-science or complete nonsense?

And what happened to Vivica A. Fox’s career? Shouldn’t her psychic friends warned her and helped her make better career choices!?!

Buffy Slays Church Attendance?

“In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer followed the trials and tribulations of a teenage girl, who happens to be super strong and has to save the world a lot. Buffy is the Chosen One but she’s not your typical Slayer. She has friends, loved vampires, and come back from death (twice). Unlike the stiff Superman-hero model, she broke stereotypes and was a relatable, humanized character.

The show has a huge, loyal following. In fact, university classes, academic conferences and papers have explored the social, cultural and philosophical impact this Sarah Michelle Gellar fronted show had.

While praised for its many social empowerment messages, Buffy is most often identified for its girl power theme. She staked vampires. She killed demons. She beat a god into submission. She has power.

But apparently Buffy’s power also challenged the God (Note the capital G. And, no, I’m not talking about Glory). One new academic study in the book Women and Religion in the West claims that Buffy is responsible for the decline in women’s attendance at church. The author, Dr. Kristin Aune, asserts that the show promoted Wicca with its use of witchcraft and made it cool, driving its female following away from the church.

Here’s the first episode, appropriately entitled “The Witch,” in which witchcraft is brought up:

Witchcraft is used throughout the show’s run, especially season six. I encourage Buffy watchers to comment on whether the witchcraft shown on Buffy promoted Wicca over Christianity or not. Give specifics!

And I’ll ask everyone: Is the show responsible for the decline in women church attendance? If so, what, if any, remedy should be applied? Or is Dr. Aune claim inaccurately shifting responsibility of the women’s decline in church on the hit TV show? If so, who or what is to blame?

Learning About the Hijab from Jack & Bobby

The hijab – a headscarf or veil worn by Muslim women – has caused quite a stir in non-Muslim countries, especially in ones with a growing Muslim population. There is a social debate over whether the hijab should be banned in certain Western countries.

Government officials in Denmark and Ireland have proposed hijab bans. France already bans the hijab in public schools. Proponents of the ban cite the need to encourage Muslims to culturally assimilate to Western ways and protect the respective Western nation’s culture from Muslim traditions. Some also see the hijab as a form of female oppression and thus banning them would liberate Muslim women in their eyes.

Muslim women differ with the Western perception of the hijab. To them, the hijab enables them to express their Muslim/Islamic identity, be modest, and reject Western superficiality and commercialism.

In the short-lived but amazing show Jack & Bobby, it confronted the hijab question in the episode “A Man of Faith.” In one scene, Grace McCallister, a liberal-atheist-feminist professor, lectures to her class about the oppressive nature of religion – all religions. One of her Muslim students, Hebba, questions Grace’s stance. In response Grace unleashes a harsh, public critique on the hijab, embarrassing Hebba, who is wearing one.

After class, Hebba confronts Grace and gives her a different, empowering perspective on the hijab. Here’s what Hebba had to say:

So do Muslim women need liberation from the hijab? Or is the hijab liberating Muslim women? And what do you think about banning the hijab for cultural assimilation and protection purposes?