In our controversy oriented culture the Super Bowl has become yet another forum for talking heads and pundits to argue about, particularly as it relates to the event’s commercials and half-time shows. While these latter accoutrements to the game no doubt raise issues of political and familial significance, is it really necessary to create a crisis around each poor choice of taste or each clever manifestation of social commentary? I understand that our media succeeds (read: ratings and dollars) by serving up a fire hose of continual alarms and latest greatest news stories to grab our attention.
Yet, is it necessary to make every public event a hotbed of controversy? Is this healthy for our children, for ourselves, for the future of our society? Whatever happened to friendly disagreements, where we might heartily disagree, but end by shaking hands and not fists? Or how about the old fashion kind of rivalries that are innocent fun, where gentle teasing and witticisms are signs of friendship and affection and not thinly veiled assaults on persons we despise?
Is a commercial worth foaming about? Is poor taste in entertainment justification to rage without a hint of Christian charity? Is a game, however important, just cause to hold grudges and weaken friendships?
(Disclaimer: Yes, I realize that each of us has at least one person in our network of family and friends who takes the Super Bowl just as seriously as the return of Christ. Though they may be surprised to discover that Jesus is a Saints fan, and is therefore not really interested in whether the Packers or Steelers win)
As Christians, we are of course, called to speak out in love (repeat: in love…) for our beliefs and this sometimes requires entering into controversies, but our main calling, when it comes to all the huffs and puffs of society, was perhaps best put by the Apostle Paul when he said, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). If we participate in the superficial and serious controversies of our society just like everyone else, why should outsiders to the Christian faith bother listening to our supposed Good News?
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