Fox Ran 'John 3:16' Ad During Super Bowl XLV After All, At Least in Washington, D.C. Market
On Thursday evening I noted news reports that the Fox entertainment network would not air an ad by a Christian website, LookUp316 -- referring of course to John 3:16 -- during Super Bowl XLV.
So I was pleasantly surprised last night to find that Fox did air the ad after all, just before the beginning of the 4th quarter of the game.
USA Today religion reporter Cathy Lynn Grossman was also surprised, telling her readers in a February 7 post that she has to look into what made network executives change their mind.
[To view the ad, click play on the embedded video posted after the page break]
The ad, sponsored by the Fixed Point Foundation, was "originally rejected by Fox Sports for containing too much 'religious doctrine' and for being too offensive," Nathan Black of The Christian Post noted this morning. Like Grossman, Black had no explanation from the Fox officials as to why they changed their minds.
Perhaps its possible the ad only ran in the Washington, D.C. market as a Glenn Garvin blog post at the Miami Herald's website this morning counted the LookUp316.com ad as one that was not broadcast last night.
For his part the Herald columnist failed to see the controversy in the "milquetoast" ad, quipping of the actors in the ad, "Maybe Fox and the NFL think fat people can’t go to heaven."
- Ken Shepherd's blog
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Comments
Religion
Submitted by Gothampc on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 12:07pm.
Obama has given the OK to be religious this week.
"When I wake in the morning, I wait on the Lord, and I ask Him to give me the strength to do right by our country and its people," Obama said. "And when I go to bed at night, I wait on the Lord, and I ask Him to forgive me my sins, and look after my family and the American people, and make me an instrument of His will."
http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/white-house/2011/02/obama-invokes-religious-themes-2012-campaign-nears
...said the Instrument who's been to church, what, 3 times?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 12:53pm.
"I don't want to make a scene."
But at least he worships via his Blackberry.
And letteth the Seventh Day be reserved for golf.
Decree
Submitted by Gothampc on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 1:11pm.
I'm not going to judge how he walks out his version of religion. But you have to wonder how much waiting on the Lord he does when he decrees that people must buy health insurance or go to jail.
Remember the Firestorm Last Year?
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 12:12pm.
Over the airing of the Tim/Pam Tebow ad?
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I do! The best part when it
Submitted by dr2b on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 2:52pm.
I do! The best part when it obviously wasn't overtly stating pro life messages they decided they would attack it because it showed him tackling his mom! Tebow supports violence against women!
Good for FOX
Submitted by RD King on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 12:25pm.
Not a lot of religion in the commercial but it just might make someone needing it look up that passage.
I remember the Tebow firestorm. I guess since we have an illegal kenyan muslim usurper in the new black panther house its okay to mention something to do with GOD during the souperbowl now. Gotta try to convince every American that the rad muslim is okay.
"has to look into what made
Submitted by rwesley2.0 on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 1:00pm.
"has to look into what made network executives change their mind"
Such fervor and drive for finding the truth. Perhaps they could take that approach on every other story they run instead of taking their orders from people like Rahm.
"...too
Submitted by TruthMonger on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 1:06pm.
"...too offensive"
lol
what was offensive here - i mean really? offensive to the raunchy glee crowd i suppose:)
Congratulations Jimmy Carter!
Ad
Submitted by Doktor Riktor V... on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 1:10pm.
Honestly I don't recall it playing here in Western KY, but it likewise could be that I had gotten up during the commercials. I too remember the firestorm from the Tebow ad and after it had ran, I wondered what was the big deal.
This ad was definitely designed to make people inquisitive as to what John 3:16 actually says. I see no harm done.
that's offensive?
Submitted by jazzact13 on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 1:24pm.
So, racy GoDaddy commercials are ok.
A guy licking cheese powder from another man's finger is ok?
Anything with Eminem is acceptable?
But John 3:16 is too offensive?
Is that the state of things now?
"Thoroughly worldly people never understand even the world; they rely altogether on a few cynical maxims which are not true."
Chesterton, Orthodoxy
My favorite was the Bridgestone ad
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 1:48pm.
Solidarity and safety....man saves beaver, beaver saves man (or good tires, whatever).
As for the Eminem ad, just remember, we paid for that thing. Which makes it more obscene than any other ad on last night, IMO.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Sorry, Ken...you know I had to do it
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 1:45pm.
Interesting article about Tim Tebow and his scriptural eye black quotes. After the Gators last BCS Championship, John 3:16 became the most searched upon term on the internet.
"I really lean toward something that’s going through my heart," he told the Times-Picayune in December, explaining how he chooses the verses. "If there’s something going through my heart that week, or whatever it is, I think people understand more and learn more from it."
Here are five of Tebow's most memorable eye black messages:
1. Tebow’s favorite: For the Bowl Championship Series title game on Jan. 8, 2009, which the Florida Gators won, 24-14, Tebow wrote one of his favorites, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
2. Profit a man: Before trouncing the Troy Trojans 56-6 on Sept. 12, 2009, Tebow painted "Mark 8:36" on his eye black: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" [Editor's note: The original version of this paragraph incorrectly stated Tebow's sports opponent.]
3. Tribulation and good cheer: Ahead of what became a shocking 32-13 defeat against Alabama on Dec. 5, 2009, in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship game – a game that knocked Florida out of national title contention – Tebow referenced John 16:33: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
4. The gift of God: After that crushing loss to Alabama, Tebow's consolation prize was a matchup against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2010. Before going out to win, 51-24, and obliterating his career-best passing day in the process, throwing for 482 yards, he wrote "Ephesians 2:8-10" on his eye black: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
5. Trials of many kinds: Ahead of the Senior Bowl, an exhibition game in which seniors try to impress pro scouts, Tebow knew of the challenges ahead. Scouts said that despite his college success, he was ill suited for the pros. The game was a rough go as Tebow fumbled twice, threw no touchdowns, and looked out of sorts in the 33-13 loss. His eye black choice? James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I keep wondering why it is
Submitted by richflanj on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 1:53pm.
I keep wondering why it is such a big deal for a LSM that a Christian is unapologetic about his faith. Would there be the same fuss being made about it if he were Muslim, citing the Koran? Not likely. I am convinced the LSM would be bending over backwards to "celebrate diversity". Matthews, Coric, et al, make me sick.....
Go and vote on the best super bowl ad here...
Submitted by upcountrywater on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 2:03pm.
http://www.youtube.com/user/adblitz?feature=ticker
Guess what the, John 3:16 ad is not listed, or Fixed Point Foundation or LookUp316...
So DC only,or played in other local broadcast areas?
Did Obama see that ad? lol
You Didn't Build That.
evidently not in Houston (or Texas?)
Submitted by mom_rox on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 2:40pm.
Just went back to my recording to look at the commercials which aired between the 3rd & 4th quarters:
I went back and checked our
Submitted by Ken Shepherd on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 3:23pm.
I went back and checked our DVR recording from Alexandria, Va. The ad ran at 9:23 p.m. EST, the commercial block between the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th quarters. Just after a TGI Friday's ad, which followed an NFL "Best. Fans. Ever." spot.
Ads are Local at the Change of Quarters
Submitted by sevans1956 on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 4:50pm.
The network gives about90 seconds after each quarter to local stations. We had the local Chrysler dealers and a couple of Arby's commercials at the end of the third quarter. Being sweeeps, they were also promoting their local news shows.