ESPN rejects hospital Christmas ad

[jeremyrbrown]

because of phrases "celebrate the birth of Jesus" and "God's healing."

http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/espn-drops-christmas-ad-referencing-god-and-jesus

Sports related since it's ESPN.

 

[MittRomney]

This is getting ridiculous...

because of phrases "celebrate the birth of Jesus" and "God's healing."

http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/espn-drops-christmas-ad-referencing-god-and-jesus

Sports related since it's ESPN.

What do people think CHRISTmas is? Why do we have this celebration at the end of the year? Whether you like it or not, it's part of our culture and has been since our founding. I know the commies that run ESPN don't want to admit that, but it is what it is. Christian or not, its a fact. I'm not Jewish, but wouldn't be offended if a Jewish hospital mentioned or displayed a menorah and spoke about hanukkah.

Other areas of the world (ie Europe) always criticize the US for a lack of culture. The more secularism is forced down our throats, the more we lose our culture. Culture by definition is our customs and beliefs. The more we "bleach" our society toward secularism, so as not to offend anybody, the more of our culture we lose. Think about most of what would be considered cultural around the world. Most (not all) of it centers around a region's religious beliefs.

To keep it sports related, boycott ESPN!

 

[BiscuitEater]

Even worse ...

because of phrases "celebrate the birth of Jesus" and "God's healing."

ESPN is running "Health Insurance Marketplace" otherwise known as Obamacare ads and the taxpayers are paying them to do it.

 

[JungRebel]

It's their 1st Amendment right to reject this ad. Christianity offends my taste, so I like the decision; but it wouldn't bother me to see the ad either. Being exposed to the other side is part of living in America.

 

[dawgstudent]

It wouldn't bother me to see Hanukkah commercial either. But the political correctness of not showing it is stupid.

And what I take from your post is that Ole Miss fans do not believe in Jesus.

 

[Dawg Jurist]

I love people that are so in favor of the free market deciding how corporations should act until the market decides that corporations should not endorse religion.

 

[jeremyrbrown]

It's their 1st Amendment right to reject this ad. Christianity offends my taste, so I like the decision; but it wouldn't bother me to see the ad either. Being exposed to the other side is part of living in America.

This has nothing to do with being exposed to the other side. This is someone trying to make Christmas about something that it wasn't meant to be. How would the other side react if ESPN refused to show an ad because a homosexual was featured in it?

 

[HD6]

I hate having this discussion, but how can anybody support Hugh Freeze when they say Christianity offends them? I truly don't get that.

 

[dickiedawg]

I agree with this statement.

 

[dawgstudent]

B/c if he is atheist or agnostic - I doubt he cares what religion Freeze is as long as he wins games.

 

[JungRebel]

That would be their right too, although homosexuals do not offend my taste. Also, Christmas is a recycled pagan holiday, its "meaning" is open to debate.

 

[JungRebel]

B/c if he is atheist or agnostic - I doubt he cares what religion Freeze is as long as he wins games.

I have literally said this on this site multiple times.

 

[jeremyrbrown]

That would be their right too, although homosexuals do not offend my taste. Also, Christmas is a recycled pagan holiday, so don't be so possessive.

1. You really need to work on your phrasing. "homosexuals do not offend my taste" Are you Tobias Funke?
2. I didn't ask how you would respond. I asked how this "other side" you speak of would react?
3. You would prefer that Christians, who believe that anyone that doesn't accept Christ will spend eternity in hell, not care enough about the world to share Jesus? That's the worst type of Christian.

 

[JungRebel]

1. Morality is a matter of taste for me.
2. They would find a reason to be pissed off, I am sure of it.
3. I understand the necessity of their spreading the word and don't blame them for doing it, but I don't actively seek it out because I don't believe it.

 

[seshomoru]

This is such a smart move by ESPN

One day there will be a faith based charity of another religion that wants air something on ESPN that overtly makes mentions certain tenets of it's beliefs. Best to just not let the ball get rolling in the first place. I suggest simply finding other avenues to reflect on and remember whatever the true meaning of Christmas is to you. ESPN not airing this has zero effect on how anyone will celebrate the season.

 

[rugbdawg]

The difference is that the Christian right will take it in stride. There won't be a boycott of ESPN. There won't be protests in front of their offices. There won't be hundreds of articles written about it. We gotta speak up and we gotta fight. It's certainly legal what ESPN did.

Having said that, it would take a lot for anyone on a sports message board to "boycott" ESPN.

Now, if I see an "Every Kiss Begins With Kay" commercial on ESPN and it shows two dudes making out, I may take that step. I know that type of commercial is inevitable and I wouldn't normally mind it (to an extent). But, to know that ESPN is purposely discriminating against a commercial that mentions the birth of Jesus Christ to show that?...

 

[fishwater99]

This has nothing to do with being exposed to the other side. This is someone trying to make Christmas about something that it wasn't meant to be. How would the other side react if ESPN refused to show an ad because a homosexual was featured in it?

The left and gay rights groups would go nuts if ESPN refused an advertisement featuring a homosexual.
It would be all over the major news networks until ESPN caved and ran it.

 

[Brad Stevens.sixpack]

I will bite. Whether Christianity is offensive to you or not is irrelevant. No one sees ESPN rejecting the colors red, white, and blue on the 4th of July. No one refuses to show soldiers on TV on Veteran's Day. Are moms completely excluded from TV commercials for Mother's Day? No. The point is this: we are living in a relativistic culture that is more concerned with not offending anyone, even if that means sacrificing truth. I am not Islamic, but how ridiculous would it be if some TV station showed and celebrated commercials of Ramadan but refused to allow anything Muslim-related in the commercials?

DS, I am not trying to get this thread locked. I am hoping to simply state that ESPN is following along with the rest of our "American culture" by catering to the minority, and it really is just stupid. I welcome ads and commercials of all kinds if they truly display what that certain holiday is about.

 

[MittRomney]

I don't see how this is the market deciding

I love people that are so in favor of the free market deciding how corporations should act until the market decides that corporations should not endorse religion.

What percentage of Americans would actually be offended by this? 10%? 15% maybe? What percentage of Americans would be offended to know that they banned the commercial for the reasons they did? I'm guessing 70%+. Definitely not a market decision.

Christians make up what 85% of the country? Not sure how this is a good buisiness decision.

Oh, and the network wouldn't be "endorsing" religion. The religious advertiser is "endorsing" the network/show that's being shown. Does ESPN endorse every ad that's shown? Trojans, pin-sol, depends, tampons, ambulance chasing lawyers, taco bell, laxitives, etc... Nobody would construe the running of the commercial as being ESPN's admission that they are a religious organization. On the other hand, I do construe that they are anti-religious. They went out of their way to ban a christian commercial when it made no sense to do so, other than to push and agenda.

 

[Thinline]

Dawg Jurist, a thousand times, Thank you!

 

[jeremyrbrown]

Then they need to not show any Christmas ads, period. Imagine what would happen if commercial America started celebrating Ramadan, except the majority of the people wouldn't mention Muhammad when celebrating the holiday? Sounds dumb doesn't it. Would be offensive to those who celebrate Ramadan for non-secular reasons.

That's how ridiculous it is that people want to celebrate CHRISTmas, but don't want to acknowledge Christ.

 

[seshomoru]

It's a freaking Sports Entertainment Network. Not your church.

And the craziness that is resulting from this is exactly why they shouldn't air anything that professes the core beliefs of any religion. People freak the hell out over it.

 

[jakldawg]

Smart move by the hospital. Make an ad they know won't get televised, then get free publicity from the Perpetual Outrage Machine (that website & associated commenters, O'Reilly, most of the people in this thread, etc., etc.). That gets the message out way more than some commercial on ESPN I would have just fast-forwarded through in the first place.

and to go waaaay out on a limb and bring this back to at least MS-related sports...Hugh Freeze KNOWS what plays well in Mississippi. I'll just leave it at that.
I also love how this thread is right next to the "Rubbed Down at Raiford's" post. Now that's variety.

 

[irondawg007]

I can't imagine how much JungRebel must be depressed as an Ole Miss fan. I will never cheer for Ole Miss in any capacity as a State fan and bleed maroon as deep as anyone, but have a total respect for the way Hugh Freeze is consistent in seeking to speak the truth to his players and seeks to impact his peers and fanbase. As a Christian and straight American man, I'd have a difficult time if we had a coach leading our players to reject Christ or even be favorable of homosexual relationships.

What I find interesting is when Tim Tebow was the face of the NFL as a Denver Bronco, ESPN has no problem showing 'Tebowing' clips and making prayer and Christ out to be a trend or fad. But when it comes to recognizing Christ as the reason for Christmas, they bow out not to offend. On a more depressing note, when Fox News offered the hospital a chance to speak out on this, they declined.

It seems both sides are afraid to offend one another over the issue of religion and faith. All this makes me believe the whole world should just be wiped out before kickoff of the Liberty Bowl.

The whole story is just one depressing situation.

 

[jeremyrbrown]

Deflection...

way to change the focus to the crazy Christians at Christmas.

 

[BeardoMSU]

Ah, the fictitious "war on Christmas".....I'm obliged to say, that not getting what you want all the time, isn't the same as being persecuted.

Keep ESPN for sports.

 

[o_1984Dawg]

Christians make up what 85% of the country? Not sure how this is a good buisiness decision.

Which explains why you're posting on sixpack while they're running ESPN and Disney. They're beholden to shareholders, not religions. They've done the math. They know what's good business.

 

[skb124]

Fictitious? When schools start declaring it "Winter Break" instead of Christmas break, and when people refuse to say Merry Christmas and instead say Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings, how can you say there is not a "war on Christmas" whether you agree or not?

 

[seshomoru]

Because no one is thrown in jail or killed for it.

Many actual wars have been won and lost in the name of religion over the years. Let's not get carried away when the minimum wage Walmart checkout girl wishes you Happy Holidays. Be a good Christian and smile back and say, "I hope you do, too."

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Who said anything about persecution?

 

[Dawghouse]

That's how ridiculous it is that people want to celebrate CHRISTmas, but don't want to acknowledge Christ.

There are plenty of "Christians" who do this already.

ESPN will get no blow back from this.

 

[BeardoMSU]

Fictitious? When schools start declaring it "Winter Break" instead of Christmas break, and when people refuse to say Merry Christmas and instead say Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings, how can you say there is not a "war on Christmas" whether you agree or not?

And how does any of that negatively effect how you celebrate Christmas?

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

This should be locked.

It is not going to be sports discussion, it is going to be like any conversation involving religious beliefs... a fight.

Which is why I believe in God but can't stand organized religion. Someone is always going to get pissed off.